Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, M.A.

Learning Outcomes

Graduate students will:

• gain course specific knowledge and skills as required to perform well in their specialties (as demonstrated by completing their required courses in their specialty/major area with a g.p.a. of 3.00 or higher);
• demonstrate integrated substantive knowledge and skills that can be applied to solve novel professional-level problems (as demonstrated by completing their comprehensive examinations satisfactorily and by completing their thesis proposals with committee approval);
• demonstrate required clinical practice skills and researcher autonomy (as demonstrated by satisfactory completion of all required practicums and/or internships, and required thesis defenses/article submissions as appropriate for their degrees);
• demonstrate initial engagement with, and commitment to, professional ethics, professional development, lifelong learning, and service to the profession (as demonstrated by participation and engagement in the appropriate state, regional, and national organizations as appropriate for their degrees);
• demonstrate entry-level professional qualifications (as demonstrated by being qualified to take any licensing exams that are required for practice and/or employment); and
• be qualified for suitable employment or postdoctoral appointments upon graduation (as reported on annual Qualtrics surveys).

The Master of Arts program in psychological and quantitative foundations with an educational measurement and statistics subprogram requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate credit with thesis and 32 s.h. of graduate credit without thesis. Students are expected to maintain a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 2.75.

The program provides students with basic knowledge of educational measurement and research methodology. Graduates find employment in large school systems, state departments of education, test publishing organizations, and research centers. The program also is appropriate for students who wish to broaden their knowledge of measurement and research methodology for personal development or professional improvement.

Students must complete a core of courses (approximately 26 s.h.) that includes a graduate-level survey course in educational psychology, elementary and intermediate courses in statistical methods, a course in quantitative educational research methodology, and courses in the development and use of evaluation instruments. Students who already have completed equivalent courses at another institution may add more advanced courses to the core.

Thesis students complete 4 s.h. of additional coursework beyond the core and 2 s.h. of thesis credit. Nonthesis students complete 6 s.h. of additional coursework beyond the core.

The six-hour comprehensive examination typically includes three-hour examinations in educational measurement and in applied statistics. With the approval of the M.A. committee, a student may take two-hour examinations in these fields plus a two-hour examination in educational psychology or a substitute area. Three-hour examinations assume a minimum of three courses in the area; two-hour examinations assume a minimum of two courses in the area.

Admission

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. They should have a combined verbal and quantitative score of at least 300 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. Completion of at least one college mathematics course and experience as a teacher or researcher are desirable. Applicants who do not meet these requirements but who show offsetting evidence of superior ability may be granted conditional admission.

Applicants must submit a statement of purpose that explains how the educational measurement and statistics subprogram will help them accomplish their educational and vocational goals.

For information about admission dates, contact the educational measurement and statistics program coordinator.

The Master of Arts program in psychological and quantitative foundations with a learning sciences subprogram has a strong emphasis on how theory and research inform the understanding of learners, learning, instruction, and the technology and environments in which learning and instruction occur. The program requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate credit. Students are expected to maintain a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 2.75. A thesis is not required.

The curriculum includes courses in the theories of the learning sciences, design of effective learning environments and technologies, and implementation of instructional design. Elective opportunities allow students to choose an interest area to develop a multidisciplinary specialization. Current areas include technology and media, learning in the disciplines, human development and motivation, and measurement and evaluation. The capstone experience of the program is an internship/practicum/portfolio that allows students to apply knowledge of the learning sciences in a context of interest. Students develop a program of study in consultation with their advisor.

Full-time students typically take at least 9 s.h. each semester, with the option of additional summer session work; they usually complete the program in four semesters. Part-time students take 3 to 6 s.h. each semester; they usually complete the degree in two or three years.

Students may apply substitute equivalent coursework from another institution or department for required or recommended courses.

The M.A. in psychological and quantitative foundations with a learning sciences subprogram requires the following coursework.

Required Courses

Electives

Elective opportunities allow a student to choose an area of interest to develop a multidisciplinary specialization.

Students choose 6 s.h. from one of the following focus areas.

Technology and Media

Learning in the Disciplines

Human Development and Motivation

Measurement and Evaluation

Admission

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College, including the minimum grade-point average. Viable applicants should have a verbal score of at least 146 and a quantitative score of at least 149 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (however, the GRE requirement has been suspended for the 2022-23 admissions cycle); successful applicants generally score higher.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET).

Admission decisions are announced approximately six weeks after the application deadline. Applicants who accept admission or financial aid and do not relinquish either one on or before April 15 should consider themselves committed and should not solicit or accept another offer. Offers made by the program after April 15 include the provision that the offer is void if the applicant has accepted and continues to hold a previous offer from another program listed in the American Psychological Association publication, Graduate Study in Psychology and Associated Fields. This policy is consistent with standards set by the association's Board of Educational Affairs.

Application deadline for fall entry is January 15 with review beginning soon after. Application deadline for the spring entry is October 1. Applications after the deadline may not be considered for funding.

Sample Plans of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, M.A.

• Educational Measurement and Statistics Subprogram
• Learning Sciences Subprogram

Educational Measurement and Statistics Subprogram

a

Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.

b

May substitute an equivalent course with advisor approval.

c

Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate level coursework and sequence.

d

Completion of MA Comprehensive Exam.

Learning Sciences Subprogram

a

Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.

b

Choose two courses from one of the following focus areas: Technology and Media, Learning in the Disciplines, Human Development and Motivation, Measurement and Evaluation; see the General Catalog for lists of approved courses.

c

Completion of all degree requirements and MA project.