Ed Psych Q&A
WSU Educational Psychology
Frequently Asked Questions by Prospective Students
General information about the program
I want to know more about the program and faculty.
We are glad that you are interested in our program! Below are some links that may be helpful to you.
Here you will find additional information about faculty, student experiences, and newsworthy accomplishments. We suggest looking closely at each of the program’s faculty members, and seeing how well their areas of research align with your professional and personal goals. You may choose to reach out to one or two for a conversation.
Basic descriptions of courses in Educational Psychology can be found here.
You might also find our latest newsletter to be interesting in your consideration of the program.
What degree programs are offered in the WSU Ed Psych program?
We have both M.A. and Ph.D. degrees available. You can read more about each degree at the following links. Also, each page contains a link to a “handbook” for the degree, which will provide the specific courses and other accomplishments required for the degree.
Link to MA degree
Link to PhD degree
Do you offer online degree programs?
Our program currently does not offer online programs.
What is the average class size of an MA in Educational Psychology?
The number of admitted students varies from year to year, depending on the quality of the applicant pool and advisor loads.
Questions about admission procedures and requirements
Is there an application deadline?
This program has a rolling admission process. However, to be considered in our priority review process, submit your application by December 1. As a reminder, applicants must apply to both the WSU Graduate School and to our program.
Please visit the applying page for more information.
When is the application deadline for international students? How long does it take to decide on my application from the application date?
The priority deadline is December 1. The faculty do most of the reviewing of applications in January and February and have most offers out by March.
Is GRE required for my application?
Submitting GRE scores is optional. You may choose to do so if you think your scores will improve your application package.
Is TOEFL or IELTS mandatory for me since my first language is English and also my language of instruction?
You can find information about English Proficiency requirements here.
If meeting language proficiency requirements is a concern, there is an alternative route to admission.
I am currently in a non-educational major. Am I eligible to apply for the Ed Psych master’s degree at WSU?
We do not expect any preparation in a particular content area before entering the MA program. We have had students from a variety of backgrounds, such as business, computer science, and fine arts.
I don’t have any prior research experience. Without that, am I eligible to apply to this program?
Yes, you are eligible. Our MA program provides a series of courses to build a foundation for doing research.
For the MA degree, while applying, do I need to submit any writing sample and if yes, how long the writing sample be (in words)?
A sample of academic writing is optional. We do require a letter of intent.
Are there prerequisite courses required to apply for this program?
No, there are no prerequisites for the program. Your previous coursework will be considered in a holistic review of your application materials and evaluation of your likelihood of success in the program.
Can I transfer my credits to WSU?
Here is the link to the Graduate School’s transfer policy.
Are your programs full or part-time?
Almost all of our students pursue their degrees on a full-time basis. If you are an international student, you would be expected to maintain full-time enrollment throughout your course of study.
How many references do I need to submit?
You need three letters of reference.
Do I need to secure an advisor before applying? Is securing an advisor a necessary step?
No, you do not need to secure an advisor before applying. All Educational Psychology faculty have an opportunity to review all applicants, and we determine the assignment for each admitted student’s initial advisor. We do recommend you research faculty in the program, and reach out to those with whom you share an interest, to establish a connection in addition to your application.
Is Educational Psychology a STEM major?
Educational Psychology does qualify as a STEM degree at WSU.
Questions about funding and financial support
What are the financial support and funding opportunities?
Regarding costs of attendance, the WSU Graduate School has a helpful page.
As a program, we strive to have all our students supported on a research or teaching assistantship. You can read more about the details of such assistantships at this link.
Where can I find tuition information?
You can find tuition and fees information here.
Do I need to make a separate application to be considered for a graduate assistantship?
You will be automatically considered for an assistantship. You may also seek out scholarship opportunities within and outside the university.
What percentage of accepted applicants receive an assistantship?
Through a selective admissions process, we have had a very high rate of funding students who seek an assistantship—nearly 100%. This success, however, can be influenced by the financial health of the university.
Do I need to contact any faculty about an assistantship, while applying?
You do not need to, but we suggest looking closely at each of the program’s faculty members, and seeing how well their areas of research align with your professional and personal goals. You may choose to reach out to one or two for a conversation.
Questions about career options
What are the career trajectories that an Ed Psych graduate can have? Does an M.A. in Educational Psychology allow you to work in educational settings or do you need a Ph.D.?
Potential career trajectories are diverse. Graduates of our program work as professors, education specialists, learning analysts, program evaluators, and find positions in research institutions, school systems, the testing industry, government agencies, and private industry.
You can find some of our Ed Psych alumni information of our Psychometric laboratory and Large-scale Data laboratory sites.
For further information, email us at edpsych.coe@wsu.edu or complete this short survey. You can also reach out to specific faculty of interest.