Master of Arts Educational Psychology (Thesis): Learning Sciences

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Red Location IconProgram Location

Red Student IconStart Term
Fall Semesters

Red Book IconProgram Type
Thesis

Red Calendar IconSchedule
Full-Time

Red Clipboard IconCredits
45 Credits

Red Clock IconAverage Duration
2 Years

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ecpinfo.education [at] mcgill.ca (Contact a Student Affairs Coordinator)

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Full Program Details from the Course Catalogue

Educational Psychology (Thesis) (M.A.): Learning Sciences (45 credits)

Offered by: Educational & Counselling PsychÌý(Faculty of Education) ÌýÌý
Degree: Master of Arts
Programs credit weight: 45

Program Description

The M.A. in Educational Psychology; Learning Sciences focuses on educational research, its application to practice, research design, and data analytic techniques. Exploration and application of contemporary psychological and educational theories and empirical studies in the science of learning and instruction; self-regulation, motivation, and emotion; educational technology; and applied methods and data science.

Thesis Courses (24 credits)

Course Title Credits
EDPE 604Thesis 1.3

Thesis 1.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Literature survey and thesis planning.

EDPE 607Thesis 2.3

Thesis 2.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Preparation of a thesis proposal.

EDPE 693Thesis 3.3

Thesis 3.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Thesis research under supervision of a research director.

EDPE 694Thesis 4.3

Thesis 4.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Thesis research under supervision of a research director.

EDPE 695Thesis 5.6

Thesis 5.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Thesis research under supervision of a research director.

EDPE 696Thesis 6.6

Thesis 6.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Thesis research under supervision of a research director.

Required Courses (18 credits)

Course Title Credits
EDPE 605Research Methods.3

Research Methods.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Research methods and designs, planning and evaluating research, relations between research and statistical designs, interdisciplinary and nonquantitative approaches, meta-analysis, and the use of computers beyond computation. Ethics, scholarly writing.

EDPE 656Applied Theory/Methods in the Learning Sciences.3

Applied Theory/Methods in the Learning Sciences.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Foundational and current theories and methodologies applied to understanding human cognition and learning. An overview of experimental, observational, and physiological research designs, methods, and analyses.

EDPE 663Learning Environments.3

Learning Environments.

Terms offered: Fall 2025

Research on digital environments and tools (e.g., online, mobile) that support learning and developing expertise. Evaluation and application of theory and research on technology-rich educational environments focusing on underlying cognitive and social processes.

EDPE 666Advanced Topics in Learning Sciences3

Advanced Topics in Learning Sciences

Terms offered: Fall 2025

Advanced topics on theory and research on the interdisciplinary study of the learning sciences. Focuses on cognitive-psychological and social- psychological foundations of human learning, as well as on the design of learning environments.

EDPE 676Intermediate Statistics.3

Intermediate Statistics.

Terms offered: Fall 2025

Concepts and procedures of conducting basic descriptive and inferential statistics, including analysis of variance, correlation, and regression models. Provides experience with data-analysis tools.

EDPE 682Univariate/Multivariate Analysis.3

Univariate/Multivariate Analysis.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

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.

Complementary Courses (3 credits)

3 credits from the following:

Course Title Credits
EDPE 510Machine Learning in Society3

Machine Learning in Society

Terms offered: Fall 2025

An overview of key topics and broader issues in machine learning. An exploration of machine learning algorithms to make predictions and provide explanations from the decision structures inferred from the data. An introduction to programming languages to exemplify fundamental machine learning algorithms and techniques.

EDPE 561Machine Learning: Theory & Applications3

Machine Learning: Theory Applications

Terms offered: Winter 2026

An examination of the principles underlying the current practice of machine learning,emphasizing the conceptual underpinnings of the fundamental machine learning algorithms applied to education and other domains. The critical use of data to develop rigorous data models. The mapping of algorithms to learning tasks. The visualization, evaluation, and interpretation of performance measures and results. The identification of model strengths and limitations.

EDPE 636Motivation and Instruction.3

Motivation and Instruction.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Instructional effects on motivation and emotions and their implications for educational practice, with particular emphasis on socio-cultural and constructivist practices, classroom interaction, and teacher impact.

EDPE 640Emerging Technologies for Educational Change.3

Emerging Technologies for Educational Change.

Terms offered: Fall 2025

Interdisciplinary learning theories; working with and evaluating emerging digital technologies and interfaces that impact teaching and learning.

EDPE 664Critical Thinking3

Critical Thinking

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Foundational and current research on the development of critical thinking in formal and informal educational settings, exploring cognitive, interpersonal, and socio-cultural dimensions. Introduction to methodologies for analyzing data related to cognitive processes.

EDPE 687Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology.3

Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

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.

or other 500-, or 600-level courses offered by the Department and with the approval of the supervisor and the Program Director.

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Graduate Supervision
Click the button below to reveal a list of potential supervisors.
(Note that individual supervisors may list further details, such as when they are taking new students and application instructions in the Graduate Supervision section at the bottom of their individual profile pages.)

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Eligibility (Admission Criteria)

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

  1. Possess anÌýundergraduate degreeÌýin a field relevant to the area of study.
  2. AÌýminimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0Ìýin undergraduate studies.ÌýInternational applicants can look upÌýgrade equivalencies on 91ºÚÁÏ꿉۪s Future Graduate Students website.
  3. Proficiency in English.ÌýApplicants to graduate studies whose mother tongue is not English and who have not obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction, or from a recognized institution in Canada or the US (anglophone or francophone), must submit documented proof of proficiency in oral and written English.Ìý

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Application Process & Required Documents

All applications are done throughÌý. The application steps and instructional video are on the University'sÌýFuture Graduate Students website. The following documents must be part of your application: (Note that all uploaded documents to the portal must be in PDF format.)

  1. A completeÌýapplication formÌý(accompanied by your application fee payment).
  2. ÌýA copy of yourÌýunofficial transcriptsÌýfrom all previous university-level studies (undergraduate and graduate).Ìý Official transcripts are required to be submitted byÌýthose who gain admission to the program. (Instructions on sending official transcripts will be sent upon acceptance.)
  3. TheÌý.
  4. Letters of Reference:ÌýWithin the online application, applicants must provide valid institutional e-mail addresses forÌýthree (3) references. 91ºÚÁÏÍø will contact the referees directly to submit their letters of reference.
  5. Statement of Research Interest and Preferred Supervisor(s): Within the online application, applicants are required to concisely outline their proposed area(s) of research interest should they be admitted to this programÌý(250-word maximum). Applicants will also be required to list the name(s)Ìýof one (1) or moreÌýLearning Sciences supervisors, in order of preference, who they would like to supervise their area of research interest(s). Applicants should ensure their preferred supervisor has listed expertise in their chosen area of research interest.
  6. Personal StatementÌý(2-page maximum, double-spaced) in APA style. Please include the following information:
    • Reasons for applying
    • Career objectives
    • Any additional relevant information about yourselfÌýthat you wish to bring to the attention of the admissions committee. This may include your personal trajectory, personal challenges along your scholastic journey, experiences or challenges you've encountered related to identity. Note that students who identify as being part of a minority group are encouraged to self-identify to facilitate access to any applicable financial aid and/or awards, as part ofÌý91ºÚÁÏÍø's Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) mandate. All personal data submitted will be kept confidential and used only for operational decision-making.
  7. English Language Proficiency Test Score (if applicable):ÌýPlease arrange for test scores (TOEFL, IELTS) to be sent to 91ºÚÁÏÍø directly from the testing agency. You must indicate the 91ºÚÁÏÍø institution code: 0935.

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Application Deadlines
Complete applications must be received by the date indicated below.
  • Fall Admission: December 1

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What to expect after submitting your application:

  • Recommended candidates will receiveÌýa "Recommendation of Acceptance" email by April, confirmingÌýthat their application has been reviewed and is being transmitted to 91ºÚÁÏÍø's Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS).
  • Successful candidates will be contacted via email with an official offer of admission.ÌýCandidates are then required to confirm their acceptance via theirÌý. Kindly note that acceptance deferrals are not typically granted except under extraordinary circumstances.
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