Undergraduate educational psychology research minor
Gain valuable experience researching how people think, learn, and grow
Conduct research to help improve educational outcomes and lives. If you’re pursuing graduate school and—ultimately—a career in educational research, the educational psychology research minor will help you gain valuable research experience critical to narrowing your research interests and school search and completing graduate school applications.
If you’re a future educator, the minor will help you better understand and teach using evidence-based practices.
While students majoring in education, psychology- or social sciences-related fields will find the minor complements their major coursework, all University of Minnesota undergraduate majors are welcome to apply. The educational psychology research minor may be combined with any other minors.
What is educational psychology?
According to the American Psychological Association, educational psychology is the application of psychological principles and theories to a broad spectrum of teaching, training, and learning issues in educational settings. Educational psychology also addresses psychological problems that can arise in educational systems.
Careers
Most educational psychology researchers pursue graduate degrees before beginning careers as:
- Faculty (after completing a PhD) training the next generation of researchers and scientist-practitioners in: psychological foundations of education, quantitative methods in education, school psychology, special education, and related fields
- Research scientists at universities and companies
- Government agencies
- Other educational settings (e.g., K-12 school research offices)
- Human and social service organizations
- Health care organization evaluator/researcher
- Research and development centers
Curriculum
As an undergraduate student, you’ll learn basic research methodologies. You’ll also learn how to get the most out of the University of Minnesota library system and how to make connections with faculty researchers. During your last two semesters, you’ll work on an educational psychology faculty directed research project. Your coursework will include a statistical analysis class which will prepare you to present at the University’s Undergraduate Research Symposium.
View the full educational psychology research minor curriculum.
Declaring and completing your minor
- Educational psychology research minor application
- Visit the course catalog for a sample plan and checkpoint chart.
- CEHD Career Services
Quote from Emily Bellinger
Being involved in research has been one of the most beneficial and influential experiences during undergrad. I have not only had the opportunity to explore my interests in a capacity that helps to develop my knowledge and skills. But I have also had the chance to meet and connect with many amazing professionals in the field.
Contact
Kathy Seifert
Director of Undergraduate Studies