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Educational Psychology Minor
Educational psychology makes theoretical and experimental inquiries into how students learn from instruction, how they acquire and express motivation in educational settings, and how they develop skills in school subjects and for learning. This program also studies how this first line of inquiry contributes to designs for instructional experiences that promote a full spectrum of achievements.
The minor consists of required courses that develop a broad background in educational psychology supplemented by electives. For a teaching career, it provides a research based foundation in the psychology of teaching and learning underlying a professional studies program. For others, it articulates applied psychology serving one of our society’s most important aims, education of people of all ages.
Lower Division Requirements
Students must complete
A survey of educational research and theories concerning motivation, learning, development, and individual differences in classroom settings. May be applied towards the certificate in liberal arts. Breadth-Social Sciences.
and one of
An introductory survey of research methods used in developing and testing theories in educational psychology. Illustrations are drawn from published research in educational psychology. Corequisite: EDUC 220-3 Quantitative. Prerequisite: REQ-Corequisite: EDUC 220-3. Quantitative.
An introduction to the procedures used in psychological research, and to the logic underlying them. Topics include the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to research, the formulation of testable questions, the control of extraneous influences, the measurement of effects, and the drawing of valid conclusions from empirical evidence. Provides a background for senior psychology courses since it offers a basis for the critical evaluation and conduct of research. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 102 (or PSYC 101). See the Letters of Permission section within the undergraduate Department of Psychology. Students with credit for PSYC 201 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Quantitative.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete all of
A review of theories of language acquisition and their relationship to child communication disorders. Topics include: theories of language acquisition; individual and developmental differences in language acquisition; language structure and use in children with diverse disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, sensory disabilities and emotional and behavioral disabilities, interdisciplinary approaches to early intervention in the home, school and community. Prerequisite: EDUC 220 or PSYC 250.
Examines theories of instruction and research about learning, motivation, individual differences, and social environments as foundations for designing instruction. Topics include: models of cognition; models of motivation and beliefs; metacognition, self-regulated learning, and learning skills; problem solving and transfer; cognitive processing models of instruction in mathematics, science, social studies, reading and composition. Prerequisite: EDUC 220.
An overview of theory, research and practice concerning social emotional development and social interactions and relationships in the school context. Emphasis on the role of peer relationships in development and the role of the school in supporting positive interactions. Prerequisite: EDUC 220 or PSYC 250.
A critical examination of theoretical and empirical programs of inquiry in educational psychology that are concerned with the self (e.g., self-esteem, self-concept, self-directed or self-regulated learning). Students will participate in a wide-ranging seminar that considers topics such as the relationship between personal and social being, historical perspectives on the self, the formation of social identity, the roles of memory, imagination, and narrative in selfhood, the development of agency and self, and education and personhood. Prerequisite: 60 units, including EDUC 220.
and one of
A study of conceptual and historic foundations of learning disabilities and an introduction to the methodologies of diagnosis and of learning disabilities. Prerequisite: PSYC 250 or corequisite of EDUC 315 or 473. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.
Concepts and practices related to the nature and nurture of the potential for giftedness in educational settings will be introduced. Theoretical and historical foundations of common practices in gifted education will be covered. Grading will be on a pass/fail basis. Prerequisite: EDUC 220 or PSYC 250 or PSYC 302 and EDUC 401/402 or corequisite EDUC 403. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Records Check. Writing.
Current trends, issues and research relating to the education of young children. Prerequisite: EDUC 401/402 or PSYC 250 or corequisite EDUC 403.
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