Frequently Asked Questions
by applicants to the EPET Ph.D. program
Anyone reading this page with questions in mind should first review the Admissions page that describes the process of and answers questions related to application to CEPSE and the EPET program. The questions and answers below augment that description of the application process.
- What makes MSU’s program different from other doctoral programs in education?
- Is a Masters in Education or another field required for application?
- Do I have to take GRE's?
- What minimum GRE scores are required for application to the program?
- How do I apply?
- What are the educational requirements for admission to the program?
- What other experiences are either required or important for admission to the program?
- What are the important application deadlines?
- What level of support is provided to applicants who are admitted to the program?
- Do EPET students get experience teaching undergraduate classes?
- How long does it typically take to complete the program?
- Where do graduates go when they complete the program?
- Does the EPET program offer its doctoral program on-line?
- When do I have to be on campus for the hybrid program?
- What housing options are available for graduate students?
- How many credits do I need to graduate?
- What courses will I have to take?
What makes MSU’s program different from related doctoral programs at other universities?
The EPET program is relatively unique nationally in its dual focus on the traditional content of educational psychology (human learning and development) and the exciting field of educational technology. It is an ideal program for students who wish to understand and improve learning and development and explore the promise of new technologies in their work. The hybrid program offers opportunities to experienced education professionals in schools, higher education, and research institutions who want to earn a Ph.D. while continuing in their current positions
The program is also nearly ideal for students who hold these interests and have a special interest in literacy or mathematics. Interests in the former area can be developed in the Language and Literacy Option; interests in the latter can be developed in coursework and project work with Mathematics Education faculty and students. The EPET program maintains strong and close working relationships with Teacher Education (a collaborative relationship not found in many well-regarded educational psychology or educational technology programs) and with other units in the College of Education. There is a strong College-wide focus on research and supports and informs classroom and workplace practices. The College of Education as a whole is extremely well-regarded, nationally and on the MSU campus; the faculty are numerous and accessible; and opportunities to meet and work with students from other programs abound.
Is a Masters in Education or another field required for application?
No. Masters degrees in many relevant fields of study certainly make applicants look more attractive as long as the knowledge gained in those programs is likely to inform and support the applicant’s research interests, but such degrees are not required for application to the doctoral program.
Do I have to take GRE's?
Yes. Like it or not, GRE scores matter in doctoral admissions decisions, here and elsewhere. Applications to both the on-campus and hybrid EPET Ph.D. are not complete unless these scores are present.
What minimum GRE scores are required for application to the program?
There is no set minimum score, for any or the 3 sub-tests or for the total score. However, the faculty have followed some general rules of thumb in deliberating about and making doctoral admissions decisions. First, since the GRE has some measure of validity in predicting who will be successful in our program, higher scores, especially on the Analytic Writing sub-test, contribute substantially to the applicant’s promise. But GRE scores alone do not make an attractive candidate. Conversely, applicants who score below the 50th percentile on any of the sub-tests, and especially on the Analytic Writing sub-test, are reviewed very carefully. Applicants who take the GRE and are unsatisfied by their scores are encouraged to undertake a brief course of study and retake the exam.
How do I apply?
There are application links available on the program home page and the navigation bar to the top left of this page. Please ensure that you are applying to the correct program (on-campus or hybrid) since there are differences in the departmental forms that you need to submit.
What are the educational requirements for admission to the program?
There are no specific requirements beyond a bachelor’s degree (at least), outstanding credentials and/or achievements, and strong recommendations from those who understand the promise and demands of doctoral study. Most of our successful applicants do not come directly out of their undergraduate education into our program, but some do. Many have teaching experience or other relevant educational experience (other than being a student) which is a strong advantage in becoming an educational researcher but is not a requirement for admission. This is significant for those applying to the hybrid program. Many applicants have Masters degrees in related fields.
What other experiences are either required or important for admission to the program?
No specific set of experiences is required. But we have found that those applicants with excellent academic records and a sense of specific educational problems or issues they wish to examine and understand become more successful graduate students and educational researchers after graduation. This experience with such problems can be gained from many different types of experience—including teaching in school classrooms, work in large and small organization, and design and use of technology.
The hybrid program is targeted towards mid-career education professionals who seek to develop their skills and knowledge around research, technology, and teaching to take on leadership roles in their organizations or transition to new responsibilities in higher education settings. Though not a strict requirement, the program does value those applicants with experiences consistent with this description.
What are the important application deadlines?
The deadline for application to the on-campus program is December 1st each year. It is best not to wait until the deadline to submit your materials, as the Program hosts its most promising candidates for a visit to the campus and the program in early December (before the 15th). Admissions decisions are usually made by February 1st of the following year. Applicants who will be submitted for College and University fellowships (applicants for these are made in early January by Programs) will be automatically admitted and notified in early January. Notification of the results of the fellowship competition are generally available by March 1st.
The deadline for the hybrid program cohort beginning in the summer, 2012 is December 1, 2011. The most promising candidates will be interviewed (via phone) prior to final admission decisions. Applicants are welcome to come visit the program and the campus.
What level of support is provided to applicants who are admitted to the program?
In most all cases, we do not admit doctoral applicants to the on-campus EPET program without support. The typical package is a 1/2-time assistantship for either 3 or 4 years. The 1/2-time assistantship pays for your tuition (via a tuition waiver), provides a monthly stipend sufficient to pay for your living expenses, and provides basic health insurance. In exchange, students must work 20 hours each week on a research or teaching assignment (20 hours = 1/2 of a 40 hour work week). The University considers “half-time” work to be full-time work for graduate students, in addition to their coursework.
We expect that students in the hybrid program will be working full-time and will not need financial support. Some hybrid students, however, may optionally want to come to campus and complete a semester face-to-face during their third year of study, when it may be possible in this case for students to receive assistantships and fellowships for their face to face semester.
Do EPET doctoral students get experience teaching undergraduate classes?
Yes, most on-campus EPET students teach (or assist) in one or more undergraduate courses during their program. The students in most of these courses are pre-service teacher education students. The courses include an introduction to educational psychology (Teacher Education 150), introduction to technology in teaching (CEP 416), other teacher education courses, teacher education courses, and subject-matter courses (e.g., in literacy or mathematics) when the students’ background is appropriate.
Students in the hybrid program, if interested, would be eligible to teach undergraduate courses during if they optionally chose to to study on campus to complete a semester face-to-face in their third year of study.
How long does it typically take to complete the program?
Because applicants’ background, relevant knowledge, and prior work vary so substantially, time to complete the program is difficult to predict. However, students in both the on-campus and hybrid programs should anticipate finishing in 4 or 5 years. That said, discussions with program faculty, based on applicants’ background, knowledge, and prior work may change that estimate.
Where do graduates go when they complete the program?
Graduates of the on-campus EPET program (and the Educational Psychology and Learning, Technology, and Culture programs that preceded it) typically take faculty positions at Research I, II, III universities and colleges, school districts and state departments of education, and companies working in the field of educational technology. A list of graduates and their current positions is given on the Recent Graduates page.
We anticipate that graduates of the hybrid program will have the above options available to them as well. In addition, some graduates may take on leadership positions within local, state, and national educational institutions.
Does the EPET program offer its doctoral program on-line?
We do not offer a fully online version of the program. However, we do offer a hybrid (blended model of face to face and online) offering of the program.
When do I have to be on campus for the hybrid program?
Students are required to attend class, on campus, for two weeks during each of the first three summer sessions of the program. Some students, however, may wish to come to campus and complete a semester face-to-face. We hope to make graduate assistantships available for these students to partially defray the costs of their stay. Others may prefer to come to campus on a more flexible schedule to be determined on a case by case basis and forego the graduate assistantship.
What housing options are available for graduate students?
Graduate students in the on-campus program can make arrangments to live either on-campus, or arrange for off-campus rental or even purchase a home off campus.
Students in the hybrid program may find it advantageous to make housing arrangements on-campus, or nearby campus during the focused, face to face part of the program conducted during the summers. Students may choose to live on the beautiful MSU campus, taking advantage of the numerous cultural and recreational opportunities available here during the summer. Arrangements have been made for students to stay in Owen Hall at a rate of $30/night, for a total of $330 for your entire stay. Meals are available to purchase at the newly renovated Riverwalk Market at Owen Hall. Meals can be purchased individually or a a special "Commuter 10" meal plan can be purchased for $80 by visiting: http://eatatstate.msu.edu/mealplans/commuter.
How many credits do I need to graduate?
Students in both on-campus and hybrid programs must complete 14 3-credit courses plus 24 dissertation credits.
What courses will I have to take?
On-campus students have great flexibility in the courses they can take and should consult the program handbook to configure a sequence of courses that meets program requirements.
The hybrid program is structured as a cohort based program. The sequence of courses can be found here.
