Degree Requirements

Program Requirements

Learning, Cognition & Development Core (9 credits)
1 course in each area listed below chosen from the ‘Basic Courses’ list.

• Learning Area (3)
• Cognition Area (3)
• Development Area (3)

 Learning, Cognition & Development Electives (6 credits)
Select 2 from within the Learning, Cognition & Development program. (These are generally coded 15:295.  Courses that have a 15:290 or 16:300 designations can be used with an adviser’s approval.)

Educational Statistics, Measurement & Evaluation (6 credits)
Recommended (or other ESME course approved by advisor)

• 15:291:531      Statistical Methods I (previously 16:960:531) (3)
• 15:291:532      Statistical Methods I (previously 16:960:532) (3)

Outside Electives (6 credits)
(15:290 Educational Psychology courses; 15:295 Learning, Cognition & Development courses; and courses listed in ‘Basic Courses’ below may NOT be used to fulfill this requirement).

Research (3 credits)
Select 1 from the following^†  (Done in consultation with a faculty adviser.)

• 15:290:601      Independent Study in Educational Psychology - Literature Review
• 15:295:609      Research in Learning, Cognition, & Development

^† In general, we encourage students to enroll in 15:295:609 Research in Learning, Cognition, and Development.  Experience in research is an important component of graduate training.  Students intending to pursue doctoral study should not choose to write the literature review.

Total Minimum Credits      30

Basic Courses in Learning, Cognition, and Development

Students are required to take one course in each of the three categories below.  For students with minimal background in the area, the course in bold is recommended.  In some cases, with the consent of the advisor, a student may substitute a more advanced equivalent.

Learning

• 15:295:580      Psychology of Learning
• 16:300:582      Educational Psychology II: Theories of Cognition and Instruction
• 16:300:593      Cooperative and Collaborative Learning.
• 16:300:691      Cognitive and Motivational Learning Strategies. *

Cognition

• 15:295:502      Cognition and Memory
• 15:290:522      Cognition and Language from Birth to Five *
• 16:300:597      Language Acquisition
• 16:300:691      Cognitive and Motivational Learning Strategies *
• 15:295:611      Memory Systems and Processes

Development

• 15:295:512      Introduction to Child Psychology
• 16:300:581      Educational Psychology I: Theories of Development
• 16:300:591      Cognitive Development
• 15:290:521      Psychosocial Issues in Infant, Early Childhood, and Family Development.
• 15:290:522      Cognition and Language from Birth to Five *
• 16:300:595      The Psychology of Sex Differences
• 15:295:578      Developmental Theory of Jean Piaget

*These courses are cross listed under two (2) categories.  However, any single course can only meet one requirement.

Electives in the Program

Students must take two electives within the program.  In general, courses that serve as electives within the program have a 290 or 295 designation.  Students can select from any of the courses described in the catalog.  The purpose of these electives is to allow students to engage in more in-depth study of an area of interest.  Some examples of student programs are shown below.  Courses are fully described in the Graduate School of Education catalogue.  Some courses beginning with a 16:300 prefix may also be used to fulfill program requirements.  These are described in the catalogue of the Rutgers University Graduate School, New Brunswick.

Courses in Statistics

Students are required to complete two courses in introductory statistics as part of the Ed.M. degree program.  A good foundation in this area is considered necessary to understanding and evaluating research.  In addition, basic knowledge of statistics is an important preparation for doctoral study.  Students whose background includes introductory statistics still need to complete 6 credits of coursework in more advanced courses.