We offer two concentrations, Adult and Continuing Education and Applied Educational Psychology, and courses for this degree are offered online through distance education. Our faculty deliver the courses through synchronous methodology, which means you will need to be online with the instructor and other students at the designated evening and time which is currently Eastern Standard Time. The faculty members in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies are committed to the creation and study of environments that enhance learning potential and promote lifelong learning for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The degree requires 36 hours of non-thesis coursework and a comprehensive examination. Students take 24 hours of core courses and choose from two concentrations for 12 additional hours in either Adult and Continuing Education or Applied Educational Psychology. The EdPsych Online curriculum is specific in requirements and course offerings are planned to facilitate your graduation within six semesters. Therefore, we do not admit individuals who do not intend to stick to this plan. Finally, students of online degree programs may not register for any campus based courses regardless of where they live or work.
About EdPsych Online
Application Requirements
Application materials include:
- Resume
- Statement of Goals
- Personal Statement
- Writing Sample
- Three Recommendations
Deadlines for Submission of Application Materials
- Fall Semester: June 1st
- Spring Semester: October 1st
- Summer Semester: February 1st
For more information, please contact Dr. Qi Sun, the Program Coordinator.
Application Guidelines
Guidelines for the submission of application materials for the online Masters of Science in Education with a Concentration in Adult and Continuing Education Include:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): This document should present detailed information about your professional and academic experiences, along with notable achievements, awards, and volunteer work.
- Cover Letter / Letter of Introduction: The cover letter is a chance for us to learn more about you. It should expand on your CV, showcase your skills, and describe your goals for pursuing the program you are applying to in adult and continuing education.
- Goals Statement: Please share with us your research interests and how this degree will help you achieve goals in your learning, career development, and life enrichment; how you plan to use your prior life and work experiences, knowledge, and skills in your new learning; and how you intend to complete the degree.
- Transcripts: Upload your degree transcripts. Visit the Transcripts page or contact Graduate Admissions at (865) 974-3251 for assistance with this process.
- Writing Sample: Choose a copy of your previous thesis for a graduate degree, a course paper for a degree program, a published article, a conference paper, or another type of writing that you believe showcases your professional writing skills and style.
Program Faculty
Patricia Higgins, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor
phiggin5@vols.utk.edu
865-974-8642
Jennifer D’haem Kobrin, PhD
Assistant Professor
phiggin5@vols.utk.edu
865-974-8642
Mitsunori Misawa, PhD
Associate Professor
mmisawa@utk.edu
865-974-5440
Financial Aid Information
Includes ELPS GA Application form, departmental fellowships/scholarships, and links to other funding sources around UT Knoxville.
Testimonials
“Discard all of your preconceived notions of online classes because these are designed to allow for the benefits of sitting in an actual classroom with your colleagues and professors while in any variety of settings.”
– Linda Gehron (alumna)
“I am honored to have been accepted by and graduated from a program as engaging and prestigious as the ELPS EdPsych Online Master’s program. It has graced me with lifelong connections and knowledge that I will forever cherish, both personally and professionally.” – Anthony L. Capers Jr. (alumnus)
“The challenge in producing and addressing the theoretical assignments in a scholarly way has made me a better writer and thinker. I look at the world differently now. It has opened up another world of information that is very exciting and applicable in many ways.” – Sue Culpepper (alumna)
“With a deeper understanding of the research in this field, I have also been able to better interpret new public notions and policies and feel confident in my ability judge their potential effectiveness. In a professional setting, I now feel regarded as informed and reliable when it comes to finding new strategies and improving current practices.” – Jessica Nelson (alumna)
Adult and Continuing Education Concentration
Description
Focuses on the advanced educational needs of professionals who work with adults in a host of settings. The concentration includes coursework in such areas as adult learning and development, program planning, reflective practice, professional issues in adult and continuing education, research, and teaching adults. Emphasis is on the development of reflective practitioners who actively participate in leadership and service to promote adult learning in a global community. This concentration may be used as a stepping stone for doctoral study in adult and continuing education, or related areas.
Applied Educational Psychology Concentration
Description
Focuses on concepts, principles, techniques, and models of educational leadership & policy studies as they are used to facilitate teaching and learning and the creation of effective classroom environments for learners of all ages. The concentration includes traditional themes in educational leadership & policy studies (e.g., human development, learning principles, assessment, and psychoeducational intervention). The concentration may be used as a stepping stone for entering a doctoral program in educational leadership & policy studies or as an additional preparation for functioning in an educational role in schools, mental health centers, and business programs devoted to personal and professional development.