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Jul 12, 2025
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2025-2026 Graduate Catalog
Counseling and Psychology in Education-Human Development and Educational Psychology (M.A.)
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Program Overview
The Human Development and Educational Psychology (HDEP) M.A. program immerses students in a cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural study of children, adolescents, and young adults. Students will learn research-based theory and practice in an applied setting, designed to develop competency in human development, educational psychology, and research and statistics. HDEP students are involved in experiencing and studying human development, cognition, and motivation where it takes place, in families, schools, communities and the larger culture. While students gain a breadth of understanding across these areas, individual specialization within a content area is expected. The non-thesis M.A. track can be obtained on-campus or online. The thesis M.A. is on-campus only. Learn more at usd.edu/cpe. DELIVERY: On campus | Online Degree Requirements for Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychology in Education - Human Development and Educational Psychology Specialization
The Master’s degree offers two options: thesis plan, and non-thesis plan. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average throughout the program. For students in the non-thesis plan, a final written comprehensive examination is required prior to graduation. Students in the thesis plan must successfully defend a master’s thesis. Students continuing toward a Ph.D. should choose the thesis plan. Thesis: Total 33 credit hours
- Human Development and Educational Psychology core 15 credit hours
- Graduate Project 3 credit hours (EDER 788 - Research Problems/Projects ); course must be completed before taking Thesis credit hours
- Thesis 3 credit hours ( or )
- Supporting courses 12 credit hours
Non-thesis: Total 33 credit hours
- Human Development and Educational Psychology core 15 credit hours
- Supporting courses 18 credit hours
Human Development and Educational Psychology core coursework (M.A.): 15 credit hours
Preliminary Examination
Regardless of chosen plan (i.e., thesis or non-thesis),upon successful completion of the first 9 credit hours of coursework, students will complete a preliminary examination. Comprehensive Examination
Students choosing the non-thesis plan will complete a comprehensive examination in their final fall or spring semester. General Application Requirements
- Completed application
- $36 application fee
- Official transcripts*
*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog Location Matters for Non-Licensure Track Programs
This program is not designed or advertised to lead to a professional license or certification required for employment. USD is permitted to operate under the terms of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) policies and standards in offering online courses/degree programs to residents in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Online courses/programs may also be offered to residents of California (a non-SARA state) because it does not regulate out-of-state public institutions. Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. Please contact a program representative if you have questions regarding supervised field study. Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outside of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs. For more information, please visit USD’s State Authorization page or contact your admissions counselor. |
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