Program Requirements
Students must successfully complete the entire outline of coursework, pass a comprehensive exam, and fulfill program and graduation requirements to complete the Master’s of Education in Educational Psychology degree.
The Master of Education in Educational Psychology with Elementary Licensure program is designed to effectively prepare teacher candidates to work with students across various age and ability levels and cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Students will work with both the Department of Educational Psychology (ED PS) and Urban Institute for Teacher Education (UITE) to complete this program.
Course Requirements
Prerequisite Requirements
(9-13 Hours)
May be taken prior to admission into the program or during Year One and Two Program Courses.
Education, Culture and Society (3 credits - select 1)
Introduction to Multicultural Education (3)
Ethnic Studies prerequisite-offered every semester
Technology in the Classroom
Using Technology in Diverse Classrooms (2)
Home, School, Community (3)
Algebra (4 credits - select 1)
Teaching
Introduction to Teaching
Students are encouraged to take this course if they do not have prior experience working with students. The course is not required to complete the program. This course is designed to help students understand the teaching profession from an educator’s point of view. This course does have a field component.
Course Sequencing
Year 1 Fall/Spring/Summer
(25 Hours - note the semesters when courses are offered)
| Course Number | Course Name | Semester(s) Available | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| *EDU 6200 | Teacher Language Awareness | Fall/Spring | 3 |
| EDPS 6315 | Reading Methods I: K-6 Foundational Skills, Phonics, Word Study & Fluency | Fall/Spring/Summer | 3 |
| **EDU 5316 | Basic Intervention for Primary Grade Readers | Fall/Spring/Summer | 1 |
| EDPS 6321 | Reading Methods II: K-6 Vocabulary and Comprehension Instruction | Spring/Summer | 3 |
| ***EDU 5321 | Basic Intervention for Upper Elementary Grade Readers | Fall/Spring/Summer | 1 |
| SPED 5011 | Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms | Fall/Spring | 3 |
| SPED 6021 | Principles of Assessment and Data-Based Decision Making | Fall/Spring/Summer | 3 |
| ****MATH 4010 | Math for Elementary School Teachers I | Fall/Spring | 4 |
| *****MATH 4020 | Math for Elementary School Teachers II | Fall/Spring/Summer | 4 |
| End of Year One: Form Supervisory Committee Educational Psychology | |||
*Course has a 16 hour field practicum component; course is prerequisite to ECS 6645. Online only.
**ED PS 6315 and EDU 5316 should be taken concurrently; EDU 5316 has a 25 hour field
practicum component.
***ED PS 6321 and EDU 5321 should be taken concurrently; EDU 5321 has a 25 hour field
practicum component and has a pre-requisite of EDU 5316.
****Course has a 6 hour field component; has a pre-requisite of MATH 1050/2000 with a grade of C or better or 1010 with a B- or better. See Elementary Advisor for details.
*****Course has a 6 hour field component; has a pre-requisite of MATH 4010 and MATH
1050/2000. Course must be taken within one year of Math 4010.
Note: An alternative pathway may be available for students who have not taken Math 1050 or Math 1050 has expired (MATH 2000). See the elementary advisor for details. Math 1050/2000 expires after two years; the Accuplacer Exam is required for math placement if it has been longer than two years. Students have one year to complete the Math 4010/4020 sequence. Register for Math courses. For more information please see the Elementary Academic Advisor.
Year 2 Fall/Spring/Summer
(24 Hours)
| Course Number | Course Name | Semester(s) Available | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| *ECS 6645 | Assessment of Linguistically Diverse Populations | Fall/Spring/Summer | 3 |
| EDPS 6005 | Writing Instruction and Assessment K-6 | Fall/Spring/Summer | 3 |
| EDU 6375 | Elementary Science Methods | Fall/Spring/Summer | 3 |
|
SPED 6022 Principles of Instruction and Behavioral Support (Fall/Spring/Summer) OR EDPS 6070 Changing Children’s Behavior Using Positive Methods (semester varies) |
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SPED 6040 Legal and Policy Foundations of Special Education (3) (Spring) OR ELP 6410 Introduction to Educational Law for School Admins (3) (Fall) |
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**ECS 6647 |
Instructional Methods for Linguistically Diverse Populations | Fall/Spring/Summer | 3 |
|
EDPS 6050 Life Span Development (3) (semester varies) OR EDPS 6720 Child Development and Learning: |
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EDPS 6711 Foundations of Reading (3) (semester varies) OR EDPS 6451 Foundations of Learning (3) (Fall) |
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***EDPS 6030 Intro to Research Design (3) (Fall) OR SPED 6610 Intro to Research Design (3) (Summer) OR EDPS 6712 Reading Research (3) (semester varies) |
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Spring of Year 2: Take the Educational Psychology Comprehensive Exam; Take the Praxis II Elementary Content Knowledge and Praxis ESL Exams |
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*Course has pre-requisites of ECS 2150 or ECS 5/6634, EDU 6200, and SP ED 6021. Must contact the Elementary Education Advisor one full year in advance of enrollment in course.
**Course has some pre-requisites as ECS 6645.
*** May be taken during Year 3.
Year 3 Fall
(28 Hours for Year 3)
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 6310 | Theories of Classroom Management | 3 |
| EDU 6360 | Elementary Math Methods in Diverse Classrooms | 3 |
| EDU 6380 | Elementary Social Studies Methods | 3 |
| EDU 6390 | Field Practicum: Elementary | 3 |
| EDU 6201 | Teaching Practices, Ethics, and Professional Development | 1 |
| ED PS 6712 Reading Research (semester varies) OR ED PS 6030 Intro to Research Design (Fall) OR SP ED 6610 Intro to Research Design (Summer) |
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Year 3 Spring
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 6395 | Student Teaching: Elementary | 9 |
| EDU 6391 | Professional Development Seminar | 3 |
Testing and Exams
Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment
The Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment (UFORA) is a test designed to evaluate proficiency in reading and writing development. It reflects scientifically based reading research and assesses a candidate's understanding of foundational reading skills. This test is required for individuals seeking licensure in Utah, and they must achieve a score of 240 or higher to pass. The assessment covers various aspects of reading development, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Educational Psychology Comprehensive Exam
Students are required to take and pass a Comprehensive Exam in Educational Psychology prior to receiving their master’s degree. This exam should be taken during the spring of your second year and is issued during the University of Utah’s Spring Break only. The comprehensive exam is an open book, take-home exam consisting of two questions. This examination will be based on completed course work but will extend beyond course content to include syntheses across courses, critical analysis of research and practice, and the integration of theory and practice. Students will register for a 3-credit Comprehensive Exam course the semester they take the exam. Please contact the Department of Educational Psychology for more information regarding the exam.
Elementary Licensure Requirements
Upon successful completion of Years One, Two, and Three coursework, and the Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment (UFORA), students will be recommended by UITE to receive their initial Utah Professional Teaching License in Elementary Education, grades K-8. Teaching licenses are granted by the Utah State Board of Education.
ESL Endorsement
Students could also obtain an ESL endorsement, qualifying them to work with English language learners. To qualify, students must take the ESL Endorsement courses and the Praxis English to Speakers of Other Languages Exam (#5362).