Master of Arts, Master of Education

MA, MEd in Educational Psychology

Method of delivery:
In-person
Applications open:
October 17, 2022
Applications close:
December 20, 2022
Next start date:
September 2023

Our Educational Psychology Master's program leads to the Master of Arts (MA) or a Master of Education (MEd) degree. It blends studies of theories, empirical research, and research methodologies that lead to broad knowledge of the field of educational psychology and its relevance to education.   

Program Overview

Designed For

Practicing teachers, resource teachers and others interested in deepening their content specific understandings of current research and approaches in educational psychology.  

Our Educational Psychology MEd/MA does not prepare you for certification as a school psychologist with the B.C. Association of School Psychologists; a counsellor with the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors; or registration as a Psychological Associate/ School Psychologist with the B.C. College of Psychologists.

If you are interested in Counselling Psychology, explore our Counselling Psychology MEd/MA.

Program Structure

  • Complete an MEd or ladder to an MA (with faculty approval)
  • In-person classes at the Burnaby and Vancouver campuses
  • Designed for working professionals with classes held in the late afternoon/early evening

Intake Schedule

This program typically accepts applications on an annual basis.

Next Start Terms
Fall 2022 (applications closed)
Fall 2023

Program Design & Courses

Program Design

Graduate studies in educational psychology explore the application of psychological knowledge to educational issues, theory, and practice. Self-regulated learning, culture, socio-emotional development, motivation, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, autism, reading, emerging educational technologies, and methods of investigation are just a sampling of the topics examined in our small dynamic classes.  

Courses offered vary slightly from year to year, and may include the following topics: social development, learning and motivation, developmental disorders (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder), learning disorders, systems and paradigms in educational psychology, sociocultural perspectives on the psychology of development and education, and academic and social behaviour assessment in education (level-b testing). 

Both the MA and MEd programs meet TQS requirements for category upgrade.

Courses

The MEd program consists of the completion of a minimum of 24 units of core and elective course work and two extended essays.

The MA program consists of the completion of a minimum of 15 units of core course work and a Master's thesis.

2021/22 Academic Year*

MEd and MA students entering Fall 2021 complete:

FALL EDUC 841-3 SEMINAR IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

A required seminar for first-year students in master programs in Educational Psychology that is also open to graduate students from any program of study. Each week we will explore seminal topics in Educational Psychology. Weekly meetings will consist of guest lectures by faculty members in Educational Psychology, group activities, and writing workshops.

FALL EDUC 860-3 THE LEARNING SCIENCES AND EDUCATION

Theories and research about cognition, metacognition, motivation and self-regulated learning; applications to educational practice. Prerequisite: An undergraduate course in educational psychology or a cognate area of psychology.

SPRING EDUC 829-3 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

Selective issues important and current in the fields of learning and developmental disorders are examined in depth. The objective is to enable students to master a significant body of knowledge in these areas and to identify areas of interest.

SPRING EDUC 842-3 SOCIOCULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION

Sociocultural criticisms of traditional views of psychological development and learning are examined, and alternatives advanced by an array of sociocultural theories and research pertaining to individual and collective development are explored with particular attention to their relevance for educational contexts, practices, and aims.

SUMMER EDUC 810-3 METHODS OF INQUIRY IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

An introduction to major paradigms of inquiry in educational psychology including their inherent assumptions, central concepts and dominant procedures. The practices of ethical scholarship and presentation and dissemination of knowledge in educational psychology are additional foci.

2022/23 Academic Year*

MEd and MA students entering Fall 2022 complete:

FALL EDUC 841-3 SEMINAR IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

A required seminar for first-year students in master programs in Educational Psychology that is also open to graduate students from any program of study. Each week we will explore seminal topics in Educational Psychology. Weekly meetings will consist of guest lectures by faculty members in Educational Psychology, group activities, and writing workshops.

FALL EDUC 970-3 SYSTEMS AND PARADIGMS IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

A survey of major 20th century systems and paradigms that underlie research and theories in instructional psychology; addresses learning, cognition, motivation, methods of inquiry, and other cornerstones of the field.

SPRING EDUC 805-3 SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE SCHOOL CONTEXT

This course involves an examination of theoretical, empirical and practical literature on social and emotional development in young children and its application to education and school settings.

SPRING EDUC 829-3 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

Selective issues important and current in the fields of learning and developmental disorders are examined in depth. The objective is to enable students to master a significant body of knowledge in these areas and to identify areas of interest.

SUMMER EDUC 810-3 METHODS OF INQUIRY IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

An introduction to major paradigms of inquiry in educational psychology including their inherent assumptions, central concepts and dominant procedures. The practices of ethical scholarship and presentation and dissemination of knowledge in educational psychology are additional foci.

MEd students entering Fall 2021 or Fall 2022 also complete:

9 ELECTIVE UNITS OF GRADUATE EDUC COURSES

As approved by Senior Supervisor

EDUC 885-6 MED EXTENDED ESSAYS

Students will develop two extended essays based on seminal topics presented in required courses. Graded on satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

MA students entering Fall 2021 or Fall 2022 also complete

EDUC 886-15 MA MASTERS THESIS

The thesis is a research investigation designed to generate and/or critically examine new knowledge in the theory and/or practice of education. The thesis should normally be completed and approved in three terms. Students must also orally defend a written thesis proposal to their supervisory committee members prior to completing and defending the thesis. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Locations

At SFU, campus life is rich with opportunities to engage with people, ideas and activities that contribute to personal development and a better world.

Burnaby

Perched atop Burnaby Mountain, Simon Fraser University's original Arthur Erickson-designed campus includes more than three dozen academic buildings and a flourishing sustainable residential community.

Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, on which SFU Burnaby is located.

Vancouver

Our Vancouver campus transformed the landscape of urban education in downtown Vancouver. The campus comprises multiple facilities clustered in the core of one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories including, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, on which SFU Vancouver is located.

Faculty

The non-departmental structure of our Faculty makes it relatively easy for students to take advantage of a wide variety of faculty expertise. Meet some of the faculty members teaching in this program.

 

Future Pathways

Where this program can take you: The world is changing rapidly and so is the full range of career and academic opportunities that await.

Occupations

  • Faculty members at universities and colleges
  • Advisory positions for teachers, social workers, parents
  • Educational consultants and analysts
  • Directors of instruction
  • Training and development specialists
  • Researchers
  • Teachers

Further Studies

Student Experiences

Meet some Educational Psychology MA/MEd students and alumni.

  • "SFU's Faculty of Education offers a truly professional and diverse research and development program for anyone who seeks to research and develop innovative education theories and practices for Greater Vancouver and the world."

  • "I have learned to look at things in a deeper, more analytical manner."

Alannah Wallace, 2019 Graduate

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

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