Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology, and Foundations
Department Head: Dan Gadke
Office: 508 Allen Hall
The Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology, and Foundations prepares individuals at the undergraduate and graduate levels to function in a variety of professional settings that include K-12 schools, community counseling centers, human services agencies, hospitals, business settings, rehabilitation agencies, community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities. The department offers the Bachelor’s degree, Master of Science degree, the Educational Specialist degree, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Special areas of interest in the department are psychometry, educational psychology, school psychology, clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and applied behavioral analysis.
- Undergraduate Degree. The B.S. degree in Educational Psychology (EPY) is a non-teaching option. This program provides students with a general background of psychological topics and principles as they relate to education. Additionally, students complete an emphasis or a minor. Students who enroll in this program pursue a diversity of careers. Some of the vocational areas for which this program can prepare students are as follows: childcare centers, seminary, the armed services (ROTC students), business settings, mental health agencies, and graduate work in counselor education, educational psychology, and school psychology. Students majoring in Educational Psychology must earn a grade of “C” or better on all EPY major core courses (46 hours of the curriculum). Students must have a GPA of 2.25 for acceptance into the program (except Freshmen who do not have a GPA available at the time a major change is initiated) and a GPA of 2.25 to graduate from the program.
- Minor (for non-majors). For the 18 hour minor in EPY, students may choose to complete any 18 hours from the following: EPY 2513, EPY 3063, EPY 3143, EPY 3253, EPY 3503, EPY 3543, EPY 4033, EPY 4073, EPY 4313, EPY 4513, EPY 4553, EPY 4683.
- Minor in Applied Behavior Analysis. The minor in ABA meets the coursework requirements towards certification as a Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA). The sequence consists of 5 courses for a total of 15 credit hours. Undergraduate students enrolled at Mississippi State University may be admitted into the minor program during any semester (fall, spring, or summer). All hours earned in the ABA minor program must be taken at MSU. A minimum GPA of a 2.25 is required in all courses in the minor program. The ABAI Verified Course Sequence Coordinator will oversee all admission decisions. Students must complete the following 15 hours: EPY 4113, EPY 4603, EPY 4493, EPY 4443, and EPY 4223.
- Undergraduate Educational Foundations courses required in teacher education programs in the College of Education are offered in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Foundations. Courses include the following: EDF 3333, EDF 3413, EDF 3423, and EDF 4243.
- Graduate Degrees. The Department offers M.S., Ed.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Counselor Education with areas of emphasis in three concentrations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, and School Counseling. The department also offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Educational Psychology and a Specialist degree in School Psychology. Preparation in Educational Psychology can be obtained in the concentration areas of School Psychometry, general Educational Psychology, and applied behavior analysis at the Master’s (M.S.) level; School Psychology at the specialist (Ed.S.) level; and in the areas of general Educational Psychology (college teaching) and School Psychology at the doctoral (Ph.D.) level.
- Student Retention Procedures: Professions engaged in protection of the public health and welfare charge their members with the responsibility of monitoring potential new members. Therefore, the Counselor Education, Educational Psychology, and Foundations faculty believe a component of their responsibility to their students, their professions, and the eventual consumers of services provided by graduates, is the necessity to monitor not only students’ academic progress but also the personal characteristics of students that will affect their performance in providing therapy. These characteristics should be of a quality so as to NOT interfere with the students’ professionalism or helping capacity. Accordingly, the department has adopted a policy outlining student retention procedures. This policy is printed in the Department of Counselor Education, Educational Psychology, and Foundations Graduate Program Handbook.
- Financial Assistance for Graduate Students. Many students hold assistantships in the Department, the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Housing and Residence Life, Social Science Research Center, College of Education, and the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision.
Educational Psychology Major (EPY) (Non-teaching Option)
Major Advisors: Ty Abernathy, Donna Gainer, Kasia Gallo, Mehdi Ghahremani, Sareh Karami, Andy Martinez, Elaine Wei
Office: 508 Allen Hall
General Education Requirements
| English Composition | ||
| EN 1103 | English Composition I | 3 |
| or EN 1104 | Expanded English Composition I | |
| EN 1113 | English Composition II | 3 |
| or EN 1173 | Accelerated Composition II | |
| Creative Discovery | 3 | |
Any Gen Ed Fine Arts course | ||
| Humanities | 6 | |
Any Gen Ed History course | ||
Any Gen Ed Literature course | ||
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | 6 | |
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
Any Gen Ed Social/Behavioral Sciences course excluding EPY prefixes | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
Any Gen Ed Quantitative Reasoning course | ||
| Natural Sciences | 9-11 | |
Any Gen Ed Natural Sciences Lab-Based Science electives | ||
Any Gen Ed Natural Sciences course | ||
| Total Hours | 33-35 | |
Major Core
| Additional Humanities | 6 | |
Any Gen Ed Humanities courses | ||
| PSY 1013 | General Psychology | 3 |
| EPY 2513 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| EPY 3063 | Psychology of Individual Differences and Exceptional Ability | 3 |
| EPY 3503 | Principles of Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EPY 3543 | Psychology of Adolescence | 3 |
| EPY 4033 | Application of Learning Theories | 3 |
| EPY 4073 | Personal and Motivational Factors in Education | 3 |
| EPY 4214 | Educational and Psychological Statistics | 4 |
| EPY 4313 | Measurement and Evaluation | 3 |
| EPY 4553 | Creativity/Innovation | 3 |
| EPY 4513 | Introduction to Research in Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EPY 4683 | Advanced Issues in Educational Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 3623 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| EPY 4710 | International and National Explorative Travel Program in Educational Psychology/Psychology (or PSY or SO elective above 3000) | 3 |
| EPY 3513 | Writing in the Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| Human/Cultural Diversity | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Race and Ethnicity | ||
| Society and the Individual | ||
| Contemporary Social Problems | ||
| Contemporary Woman | ||
| Society and Religion | ||
| Introduction to Race and Ethnicity | ||
| Societies of the World | ||
| EPY 4710 | International and National Explorative Travel Program in Educational Psychology/Psychology | 3 |
| Oral Communication | ||
| CO 1003 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Free Electives | 12 | |
| Emphasis Area (see below) | ||
| Total Hours | 73 | |
Choose from one of the following emphasis areas
To meet the emphasis area requirement, choose 18 hours from one of the emphasis areas listed below. Hours from different areas cannot be combined.
Counseling/Clinical Applications
| COE 3313 | Rehabilitation Services | 3 |
| COE 4013 | Facilitative Skills Development | 3 |
| COE 4023 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| COE 4713 | Issues in Aging | 3 |
| or PSY 4983 | Psychology of Aging | |
| COE 4743 | Gender Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| or PSY 3203 | Psychology of Gender Differences | |
| COE 4903 | Developmental Counseling and Mental Health | 3 |
| EPY 4103 | Behavior Analysis for Behavior Technicians | 3 |
| EPY 4113 | Principles of Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| EPY 4133 | Data-based Decision Making for Interventions in the School Setting | 3 |
| PSY 3073 | Psychology of Interpersonal Relations | 3 |
| PSY 3213 | Psychology of Abnormal Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 3363 | Behavioral Modification | 3 |
| PSY 3503 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 4223 | Drug Use and Abuse | 3 |
| PSY 4333 | Introduction to Clinical Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 4343 | Clinical Child Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 4813 | Positive Psychology | 3 |
The Developing Child
| HS 2283 | Child Health and Nutrition | 3 |
| HDFS 2803 | Prenatal and Infant Development | 0,3 |
| HDFS 2813 | Child Development | 0,3 |
| HDFS 3803 | Creativity & Play in Young Children | 0,3 |
| HDFS 3813 | Lifespan Theory | 3 |
| HDFS 3823 | Methods & Materials for Early Care and Education Programs | 0,3 |
| HDFS 4333 | Families, Legislation and Public Policy | 3 |
| HDFS 4803 | Parenting | 3 |
| HDFS 4843 | Family Interaction | 3 |
| HDFS 4853 | The Family: A Human Ecological Perspective | 3 |
| HDFS 4883 | Risk, Resilience and Preventive Interventions | 3 |
Human Resources and Industrial Applications
| PSY 3353 | Motivation | 3 |
| MGT 3113 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| MGT 3513 | Introduction to Human Resource Management | 3 |
| MGT 3813 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| MGT 4533 | Advanced Human Resource Management | 3 |
| MGT 4613 | Cross-Cultural Management | 3 |
Kinesiology
| (At least 9 hours must be 3000 level or above.) | ||
| SS 2003 | Foundations of Sport Industry | 3 |
| KI 2023 | Foundations of Health Education | 3 |
| KI 2213 | Emergency Health Care | 3 |
| KI 2603 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| PE 3033 | Basketball and Football Officials | 3 |
| PE 3133 | Adapted Physical Education | 3 |
| PE 3163 | Sport Psychology | 3 |
| PE 3223 | Motor Development and Movement | 3 |
| PE 3433 | General Safety Methods | 3 |
| PE 4413 | Basic Drive and Traffic Safety Education I | 3 |
| PE 4423 | Drive and Traffic Education Methods II | 3 |
Law and Order
| CRM 1003 | Crime and Justice in America | 3 |
| CRM 2003 | Crime, Justice, and Inequality | 3 |
| CRM/SO 3313 | Deviant Behavior. | 3 |
| CRM/SO 3343 | Gender, Crime, and Justice | 3 |
| CRM/SO 3353 | Race, Crime and Justice | 3 |
| CRM/SO 3503 | Violence in the United States | 3 |
| CRM/SO 3603 | Criminological Theory | 3 |
| CRM/SO 4233 | Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
| CRM/SO 4513 | Correctional Systems | 3 |
| PSY 4223 | Drug Use and Abuse | 3 |
| PSY 4353 | Psychology and the Law | 3 |
Speech/Language Pathology (SLP)
The emphasis area of speech and language pathology (SLP) prepares students with prerequisites for graduate programs in the field. Most SLP courses are offered at Mississippi University for Women (MUW), and an EPY student will need to apply to MUW as a cross-registered student and see an SLP advisor at MUW for completing their SLP coursework. Contact your EPY advisor first for detailed information.
Youth and Teen Studies
| COE 4013 | Facilitative Skills Development | 3 |
| HDFS 4853 | The Family: A Human Ecological Perspective | 3 |
| HDFS 4873 | Positive Youth Development | 3 |
| HDFS 4883 | Risk, Resilience and Preventive Interventions | 3 |
| PSY 3073 | Psychology of Interpersonal Relations | 3 |
| PSY 3203 | Psychology of Gender Differences | 3 |
| PSY 3213 | Psychology of Abnormal Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 3413 | Human Sexual Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 3503 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 4223 | Drug Use and Abuse | 3 |
| PSY 4643 | Social Cognition | 3 |
| CRM/SO 3313 | Deviant Behavior. | 3 |
| CRM/SO 4233 | Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
Minor Option
As an alternative to choosing one of the emphasis areas, students may elect to complete a minor or certificate to meet the EPY requirements. To do so, you must meet the stated requirements in the undergraduate bulletin. It is strongly recommended that you meet with an advisor in the minor program to discuss courses you need to take for obtaining the minor.
Counselor Education Courses
COE 1001 First Year Seminar: 1 hour.
One hour lecture. First-year seminars explore a diverse arrary of topics that provide students with an opportunity to learn about a specific discipline from skilled faculty members
COE 1323 Career Planning: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Provides students with a basis for making career decisions and selecting an academic major
COE 2323 History, Heritage, and Campus Community of MSU: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Overview of the history, culture, traditions, academics, athletics, research, people, buildings, community, points of pride, and etiquette of Mississippi State University (MSU). Offered to freshman, sophomore and junior students who have been selected as Maroon VIP campus tour guides
COE 2990 Special Topics in Counselor Education & Educational Psychology: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
COE 3313 Rehabilitation Services: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Concepts, philosophies, and methods of rehabilitation services for physically, emotionally, or mentally disabled people
COE 4000 Directed Individual Study in Counselor Education & Educational Psychology: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
COE 4013 Facilitative Skills Development: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Introduction to the theory and practice of helping with emphasis on the development of basic communication skills. Applicable to a variety of settings
COE 4023 Introduction to Counseling: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Overview of counseling as a profession including specialty areas. Theories and techniques used in counseling. This course is not for Counselor Education majors
COE 4050 Seminar for Guidance Counselors: 1-6 hours.
Three hours lecture. Hour to be arranged. A study of current issues and trends in the field of guidance
COE 4303 Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired Persons: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Special issues and procedures related to vocational rehabilitation of persons with visual impairments
COE 4353 Assistive Technology in the Rehabilitation Process: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Undergraduates: COE 3313. Graduates: COE 6393, COE 8373 or permission of the instructor). Three hours lecture. Diverse applications of technologies are reviewed for potential impact with all forms of disability. Examines various roles played by technology in total rehabilitiation process
COE 4363 Introduction to Sign Language: 3 hours.
Development of basic sign language skills, study of special needs of deaf persons, and understanding use of interpreters. (Same as EDX 4953/6953)
COE 4513 Paraprofessionals in Student Affairs: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Fundamental concepts and philosophies underlying the paraprofessional's role in college student affairs. Includes supervised and paraprofessional experience
COE 4713 Issues in Aging: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. An examination and integration of gerontological issues related to mental health of the elderly
COE 4743 Gender Issues in Counseling: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Overview of gender issues and their relationship to the counseling process
COE 4903 Developmental Counseling and Mental Health: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. One hour laboratory. Methods of identifying and meeting normal emotional and social needs of children and adults. Emphasis on maintaining better mental health conditions in the schools
COE 4990 Special Topics in Counselor Education & Educational Psychology: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
Educational Foundations Courses
EDF 1001 First Year Seminar: 1 hour.
One hour lecture. First-year seminars explore a diverse arrary of topics that provide students with an opportunity to learn about a specific discipline from skilled faculty members
EDF 2990 Special Topics in Educational Foundations: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
EDF 3333 Social Foundations of Education: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. A study of the sociological, historical, political, legal, and philosophical bases of American education
EDF 3413 Writing for Thinking: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: EN 1103 and 1113 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Designed to enhance participants' writing/thinking skills and to prepare participants to use writing as a learning process with groups they teach or lead
EDF 3423 Exploring Diversity Through Writing: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:Admission to Teacher Education). Three hours lecture. Using writing to explore issues of diversity in the classroom. Creating a learning community for diverse learners
EDF 4000 Directed Individual Study in Educational Foundations: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
EDF 4243 Planning for the Diversity of Learners: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites:Admission to Teacher Education) Three hours lecture. Study of variables contributing to the creation and management of a positive learning environment for the complexity and diversity of middle and high school students
EDF 4990 Special Topics in Educational Foundations: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
Educational Psychology Courses
EPY 1001 First Year Seminar: 1 hour.
One hour lecture. First-year seminars explore a diverse arrary of topics that provide students with an opportunity to learn about a specific discipline from skilled faculty members
EPY 2513 Human Growth and Development: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Psychological principles in the scientific study of people from conception to death; major theories of human growth and development and application in practical settings; biological, cognitive, and psychosocial perspectives of change and/or continuity throughout the life span
EPY 2543 Science of Happiness: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. This course examines the state of college mental health and wellness on both personal and systems levels. Individuals learn to create positive change by reinterpreting their goals and identifying steps toward successful experience
EPY 2990 Special Topics in Educational Psychology: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
EPY 3063 Psychology of Individual Differences and Exceptional Ability: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Individual differences and exceptional ability in children/youth that deviate from norm in physical, mental, emotional, and social characteristics. Definitions, etiology, identification, learning strategies, application
EPY 3143 Human Development and Learning Strategies in Education: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. A study of developmental perspectives of learning with emphasis on teaching
EPY 3253 Evaluating Learning: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to teacher education). Three hours lecture. A study of instructional evaluation for the purpose of assessing individual pupil progress and general effectiveness of instruction
EPY 3503 Principles of Educational Psychology: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Application of psychological principles to the educational process; topics covered include learning, humanism, motivation, cognitive development, creativity, intelligence, exceptionality, classroom management, measurement, and evaluation
EPY 3513 Writing in the Behavioral Sciences: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:EN 1103 and EN 1113; junior standing; EPY majors should also enroll concurrently in EPY 3503). Three hours lecture. An introduction to writing skills in the behavioral sciences
EPY 3543 Psychology of Adolescence: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth processes from late childhood toward early adulthood; pubertal problems; mental hygiene of adolescence; family and peer relationships
EPY 3553 Giftedness/Creativity: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. An introduction to giftedness and creativity emphasizing uniqueness of gifted/creative individuals; a survey of creative problem-solving approaches
EPY 4000 Directed Individual Study in Educational Psychology: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
EPY 4033 Application of Learning Theories: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: EPY 3513 or permission of instructor). Three hours lecture. Critical review of literature on learning in applied settings
EPY 4073 Personal and Motivational Factors in Education: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Theories of personality development and motivation in education settings with special attention to culture and interpersonal relations
EPY 4103 Behavior Analysis for Behavior Technicians: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. The basics of behavior analysis, focusing on measurement, assessment, skill acquisition, behavior reduction, documentation, and professional conduct as it pertains to behavior technicians. (Same as ABA 4103/6103)
EPY 4113 Principles of Behavior Analysis: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. The study of basic concepts and principles of behavior analysis. Although the school setting may be discussed, emphasis is on these topics as they are applied in a non-school setting. Cannot be used for special education certification. (Same as ABA 4113/6113)
EPY 4123 Applications of School Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Permission of instructor). Three hours lecture. Practical application of concepts and principles related to educational and school psychology, implementation, and analysis of intervention procedures
EPY 4133 Data-based Decision Making for Interventions in the School Setting: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Data based decision making and case methodology to teach theory, techniques, and procedures for educational support teams to address behavioral and academic difficulty in school-aged children
EPY 4214 Educational and Psychological Statistics: 4 hours.
Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. A course in statistics for education and educational psychology majors. Analysis, description of and inference from various types of data
EPY 4223 Applications of Applied Behavior Analysis: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Permission of instructor). Three hours lecture. Practical application of concepts and principles related to educational and applied behavior analysis, implementation and analysis of intervention procedures. (Same as ABA 4223/6223)
EPY 4313 Measurement and Evaluation: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Measurement and evaluation of learning activities and achievement of elementary school pupils and high school students; standardized tests; test construction; statistical techniques
EPY 4443 Basics of Single Subject Design: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. An examination of single-subject research designs, their associated research methods including data, and use for intervention. (Same as ABA 4443)
EPY 4493 Behavioral Assessment: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Theory and practice of behavioral assessment will be emphasized; including identification of presenting concerns, selection of assessment techniques, and interpretation of data. (Same as ABA 4493)
EPY 4513 Introduction to Research in Educational Psychology: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. (Prerequisites: EPY 3513 and 4214). An introduction to conducting educational research focusing on planning and designing research for applied education settings
EPY 4553 Creativity/Innovation: 3 hours.
(Pre-requisite: Junior or graduate standing or consent of the instructor). Three hours lecture. Introduction to creativity/innovation emphasizing uniqueness of creative individuals. Exploration of origins of creative/innovative behavior. Application of creativity/innovation enhancing techniques
EPY 4603 Ethics, Supervision, & Personnel Management in Behavior Analysis: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Foundations of practice, roles and functions, professional issues and standards with emphasis on legal and ethical means in behavior analysis. (Same as ABA 4603)
EPY 4683 Advanced Issues in Educational Psychology: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Topics to cover contemporary issues in educational psychology, job and graduate school placement and practical experience and/or observation
EPY 4710 International and National Explorative Travel Program in Educational Psychology/Psychology: 1-3 hours.
(One to three hours lecture). Experiential learning through travel abroad or domestically within the United States focusing on specialized areas of study in Educational Psychology and/or Psychology. May be repeated two times. (Same as PSY 4710/6710)
EPY 4990 Special Topics in Educational Psychology: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)