University of California, Riverside · United States
Educational Psychology PhD
The Educational Psychology PhD program at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) is an in-person, research-intensive program designed to prepare students for careers as educational researchers and university faculty. With a program length of approximately 5 years and requiring a minimum of 60 units, this program focuses on an integrative research and training approach. Strengths lie in cognitive development, quantitative methods, and qualitative methods. Many faculty members conduct research directly in classrooms to improve educational practices and engage in interdisciplinary work with other departments, including engineering, to enhance specific educational areas like computer science education. The program leverages its location in Southern California to offer students opportunities to conduct research with diverse K-12 populations, contributing to projects aimed at enhancing learning experiences nationwide.
This program is not intended for individuals seeking to become school counselors or school psychologists. For those interested in school psychology, UCR offers a separate Ph.D. program. The Educational Psychology PhD is structured with two tracks: Cognition, Instruction, and Student Learning, or Quantitative Methods, chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. The program emphasizes full-time study, often supported by multi-year fellowships that cover tuition and health insurance and provide a stipend. Fellowship recipients are expected to contribute as Teaching Assistants (TAs) or Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs), requiring availability for 15-20 hours per week.