Educational Psychology (Ph.D.): Human Development
Offered by: Educational & Counselling Psych (Faculty of Education)
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
The Ph.D. Educational Psychology: Human Development focuses on core areas of human development such as cognitive, language, social, personality, and gender development among children and adolescents with diverse trajectories and from various family, educational and community contexts. The program is unique in examining developmental trajectories from a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives. The student's dissertation should focus on an issue in the field of human development related to educational psychology.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (9 credits)
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDPE 683 | Human Development Seminar 3. | 3 |
Human Development Seminar 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Recent developments of specific topics in human development. | ||
| EDPE 686 | Human Development Seminar 4. | 3 |
Human Development Seminar 4. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Continuation of recent developments of specific topics in human development. | ||
| EDPE 708 | Comprehensive Examination. | 0 |
Comprehensive Examination. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A four-part evaluation which is normally taken at the end of the Ph.D. 2 year. A detailed description of the examination is provided to all students. | ||
| EDPH 689 | Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. | 3 |
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Students will develop an understanding of teaching and learning as a process in which instruction is based on the learning to be accomplished. Students will design, develop, and evaluate a university course of their choice, and will develop facility and confidence in using teaching methods appropriate to their domains. | ||
Complementary Courses (15 credits)
6 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDPE 682 | Univariate/Multivariate Analysis. | 3 |
Univariate/Multivariate Analysis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. General linear model as a unified data analytic system for estimation and hypothesis testing that subsumes regression, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance for single dependent variables. Introduction to generalizations involving multiple dependent (criterion) variables. Applications oriented toward education, educational psychology and counselling psychology. Experience with data-analysis tools. | ||
| EDPE 684 | Applied Multivariate Statistics. | 3 |
Applied Multivariate Statistics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Principal methods, models, and hypothesis-testing procedures for the prediction and analysis of patterns, structure, and relationships in multivariate data (e.g., factor and path analysis, structural equation modeling, multi-level modeling). Applications oriented toward education and educational and counselling psychology. Provides experience with data analysis tools. | ||
| EDPE 687 | Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology. | 3 |
Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The logics of design and selection of phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, case study and mixed design methods with emphasis on data analysis in light of issues of research purpose, epistemology, reliability and validity. | ||
9 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDPE 620 | Developmental Psychopathology. | 3 |
Developmental Psychopathology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Theory, research, and practice in developmental processes in the study of psychopathology, including aberrant behaviour in childhood, at-risk and resilient children, and mental illness. | ||
| EDPI 642 | Inclusion: Past, Present and Future. | 3 |
Inclusion: Past, Present and Future. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Provides a critical analysis of the concept of inclusion with a particular focus on disability within historical, political, and educational contexts and equity seeking groups. | ||
| EDPI 656D1 | Community-Based Field Work . | 3 |
Community-Based Field Work . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Participation in a supervised community-based professional setting. Provides opportunity to expand on experiences working with people being served by the program/site in a variety of settings. Students complete a minimum of 150 hours per term at an approved field work site. | ||
| EDPI 656D2 | Community-Based Field Work. | 3 |
Community-Based Field Work. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. See EDPI 656D1 for course description. | ||
| EDPI 665 | Teaching of Reading. | 3 |
Teaching of Reading. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Reviews contemporary research on reading acquisition and associated language development with a focus on research and theory as the basis for examining current evidence-based practices for supporting learning in diverse classrooms. | ||
Or other 600- and 700-level courses offered by the Department, which must be approved by the Supervisor and Program Director.