COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Educational Psychology at the University of Alabama is a 30-credit-hour graduate program designed to provide advanced study in psychological principles as they relate to education, learning processes, assessment, and applied research in educational settings. The program offers both thesis and non-thesis options on the main campus, allowing students to choose between a research-intensive path culminating in a formal thesis or a coursework-focused path designed for applied professional development. Upon admission, each student is assigned a temporary faculty advisor who assists with initial course planning and program orientation, and students later select a permanent advisor to guide their academic progress. Advisors play an important role in helping students develop individualized study plans, manage course registration, maintain required Program Planning Records, and ensure timely completion of all degree requirements. The program is structured around clearly defined outcomes that specify the knowledge and skills students are expected to demonstrate upon graduation, ensuring that coursework and training experiences are intentionally aligned with professional and academic competencies in educational psychology. In addition to the main campus MA options, the program offers specialized pathways designed to meet different professional needs. The Learning and Assessment concentration, delivered online, is intended for practitioners seeking advanced expertise in educational measurement, learning theory, and classroom assessment practices. The School Psychometry concentration, offered through a hybrid or distance learning format, prepares students for specialized roles in psychological and educational testing and can lead to Alabama Class A School Psychometry certification for eligible candidates. Together, these options provide flexibility for students pursuing careers in schools, assessment services, or research environments while maintaining a strong foundation in psychological theory and applied educational practice.