June 22, 2005.

Arizona State University

Division of Psychology in Education
Elsie G. J. Moore

Division Director

Purpose to attend graduate school:

            My purpose in graduate school at Arizona State University is to obtain a Master of Education degree in Educational Psychology.  My intention is to further prepare myself as a classroom teacher or in another position related to instruction.

My future educational goals:

My educational goals are, after completing your Master of Education degree in Educational Psychology, is to pursue a Ph.D in School Psychology, at Arizona State University. 

My plan is to obtain an Arizona Provisional Teaching Certificate by submitting my 45 hours of education credits, my Montessori practicum hours, seven years as an educator in place of a teaching practicum, and to take the Elementary professional and subject knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment sometime this year.

I plan to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) sometime in the fall.

I plan to take the 9-12 Montessori Elementary training.

Why I want to attend your Master of Education in Educational Psychology degree program?

            I am determined to go to your grad school program at Arizona State University to further my education in the field of educational psychology.  I want to be part of your Division of Psychology in Education Masters program because I am highly interested in how children learn, what is important for children to know and what is not, and to how to determine the overall effectiveness of instruction on children in our school system.  Your Master of Education degree in Educational Psychology program will help prepare me for a leadership role in schools, colleges, universities, government agencies, and public or private organizations. My plan is to work mostly in elementary and secondary school classrooms.

            I want to be able to focus on the study of learning outcomes, student attributes, and instructional processes directly related to the classroom and the school, such as the amount of instructional time or individual differences in school learning.

              One of the most important factors for me in considering choosing your Master of Education degree in Educational Psychology is the simple fact that is based on student interest.  This means that I can focus on courses that I feel that are important to my development as a teacher such as course work in Exceptional Students, Classroom Learning, and Early Childhood Education. Your program will offer the opportunity to explore coursework across several domains that will provide me with the opportunity to learn about child development, assessment techniques, and other related information how to help students achieve their best.

            Another important factor is that your students are encouraged to consider focus topics that involve interdisciplinary work.  My Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree is an ideal backdrop in this case since my two concentration areas are Education and Psychology.

            This career is an expanding field, with the need for more trained people that can work with the extreme problems that some children face today.

What I have to offer your program:

            I am mature person who works well under pressure and is willing to do what it takes to succeed.  I am a life long learner who is looking to am able to formulate plans to help students learn more effectively and who has already done a lot work as an educator to resolve students' learning and behavior problems in a classroom environment. 

            I am aware that successful candidates, in your program, must pass a comprehensive examination in their area of specialization and for most degrees, students are expected to complete a defendable final paper, thesis, or dissertation.  I am also aware, that it could take some time to get to the position that I want because almost all jobs will require a master's or doctorate degree.

            I want to thank you ahead of time for giving me an opportunity to apply to your program.  If you need anything further please don’t hesitate to ask.