Educational Psychology - Applied Developmental Science

Course Overview

The Master's program focuses on the development of children, youth, and adults in their social contexts; takes a strength based approach to improving the lives of children and youth; and relies on rigorous research design to examine questions relevant to practice and policy. The EP-ADS Master of Education (M.Ed.) program is housed in the Educational Leadership, Foundations, and Policy Department (EDLF) in the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. Our program is designed specifically for students who are interested in learning how developmental processes influence learning, performance, and behavior in educational settings. What features make the Curry program in EP-ADS unique? students are assigned advisors who support students in pursuing their interests as they select electives, provide input into their comprehensive exam topics and choose a focus for their internship, internships in our program offer students the opportunity to learn about research and development from leaders and practitioners in the field. Students can conduct research at the Center for the Advanced Study for Teaching and Learning (CASTL) , the Youth-Nex Center to Promote Effective Youth Development, or in other research organizations. They may also select to work in community organizations or school districts to begin applying their knowledge and skills to real-world settings, the program is rigorous: we will challenge students to think broadly about education so that they will be able to solve real-world problems, and to make a difference in the social contexts of children, youth and/or adults in their future work, Thoughts about the program from a recent graduate: " Coming into the EP-ADS program, I had worked extensively in education: teaching in Germany and working at a boarding school for students with learning disabilities. However, I didn't have the theoretical frameworks necessary to fully understand those educational environments. Learning from the fantastic, motivated faculty of the Curry School, I understand the educational field at a depth I didn't realize existed. By focusing on motivational psychology in my studies, I have skills that are valuable in numerous occupational fields. I feel very lucky to have had the experience that UVA granted me. "