Graduate Programs

The School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences at Kent State offers diverse master's and doctoral programs, making it an ideal place to pursue continued study in education and human service-related disciplines.

Make the most of your education with the help of faculty expertise, research, clinical experience and internships. 

Graduate Programs

Counselor Education and Supervision

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.Ed.)

The Master of Education degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares students for employment as counselors in community-based human service agencies (e.g., substance abuse facilities, mental health centers, child and family service agencies) and private counseling facilities. This program is designed to fulfill the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Ohio.

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School Counseling (M.Ed.)

The Master of Education degree in School Counseling prepares students for employment as professional school counselors in K-12 schools. This program is designed to fulfill the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed School Counselor in the state of Ohio.

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Counseling (Ed.S.)

The Educational Specialist degree in Counseling can be highly individualized to meet the needs of students having interests in a variety of school or community settings. The degree is an advanced-level practitioner's degree, and the focus is on practical knowledge and skill.

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Counselor Education and Supervision (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision provides advanced level preparation for counselors in various public and private human service and mental health settings, as well as preparing individuals for counselor education faculty positions in colleges and universities.

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Learning Sciences and Educational Psychology

Educational Psychology (M.Ed.)

The fully online Master of Education degree in Educational Psychology provides advanced study for students interested in the application of psychological principles to learning and instruction. It encompasses a variety of different disciplines, including cognitive psychology, human development and learning theory. 

The Educational Psychology major includes the following optional concentration:

  • The Gifted Education concentration focuses on gifted learners, their unique needs and the application of educational psychological principles to the education of gifted learners.

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Learning Science (M.A.)

The Master of Arts degree in Learning Science provides advanced study for students interested in the application of psychological principles to learning and instruction. It encompasses a variety of different disciplines, including cognitive psychology, human development and learning theory.

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Learning Science (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. degree in Learning Science provides an advanced and interdisciplinary study in the principles of human cognition, learning and development. The program provides rigorous training in the theoretical foundations of cognition, learning and development, as well as research design, instrumentation, quantitative analysis and research application.

Graduates are qualified to become faculty at the university level and are also prepared for careers in a variety of industry and government settings conducting research and guiding the application of evidence-based practices.

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Human Development and Family Science

Human Development and Family Science (M.A.)

The Master of Arts degree in Human Development and Family Science provides students with advanced knowledge in the fields of family sciences and human development and the opportunity to develop multidisciplinary research and community outreach skills. Coursework enables students to apply to become Certified Family Life Educators.

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School Psychology

School Psychology (Ed.S.)

The Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology is committed to a scientist-practitioner model of training, which conceptualizes school psychologists as data-oriented problem solvers. The program operates from an eco-behavioral orientation and emphasizes the delivery of school psychological services from a consultative framework to prevent and remediate learning, behavioral and social-emotional concerns in individuals from birth to 22 years.

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School Psychology (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. degree in School Psychology is committed to a scientist-practitioner model of training, which conceptualizes school psychologists as data-oriented problems solvers and transmitters of psychological knowledge and skill. As such, students draw upon the scientific literature as a primary basis for professional practice and focus their research agendas so as to have meaningful implications for practice.

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Special Education

Special Education (Ed.S.)

The Educational Specialist degree in Special Education provides an advanced degree in specialized areas of educational programming for children and youth with exceptionalities. The program meets the needs of post-master's degree students who wish to assume leadership roles in schools and agencies that provide special education and related services to children, youth, and adults who have disabilities.

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Special Education (M.Ed.)

The Master of Education degree in Special Education provides students with advanced understanding of contemporary research and practice issues in special education. Students in the program are typically interested in pursuing enhanced professional competence, career advancement, leadership roles, advocacy and systems change; or they may be wanting to prepare for doctoral-level study. Students do not need to have an undergraduate degree in special education (or in education) to be successful in the master's degree; however, they should be motivated to develop a deeper understanding of the field of special education.

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Special Education (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. degree in Special Education is designed to prepare highly qualified, experienced persons for academic faculty and research positions in colleges, universities and research centers, in addition to leadership, administrative and advocacy positions. Students participate in research studies, learn methods for conducting research and design independent and collaborative studies in their specialty area.

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