Educational Psychology
The Department of Educational Psychology, through academic programs and associated research centers and clinics, strives to enrich the community and extend its impact to the state and nation. Outstanding faculty mentor students to carry out high-quality research and training in areas including exceptionalities, learning and development, school psychology, and quantitative methods.
Areas of Study
Baylor’s ABA program prepares students to implement interventions to teach new skills and reduce problem behavior for people with disabilities including autism, Down Syndrome, and intellectual disability.
Educators trained in Gifted and Talented Education (GT) identify and serve exceptional students. Baylor offers programs at the undergraduate (supplemental GT certification) and graduate (master’s and PhD) levels.
With a shortage of professionals with quantitative skills, graduates have an advantage with Baylor’s PhD in quantitative methods, gaining strong and marketable expertise in quantitative research methods.
School psychology focuses on the science and practice of psychology with children and families, learners of all ages, and the schooling process. Baylor offers an EdS (60 hours) or PhD (110 hours).
Baylor’s special education program is guided by the belief that all children can learn if they are carefully taught. Baylor offers a BSEd leading to certification (early childhood – grade 12) and graduate degrees at master’s and PhD levels.
Departmental News
See More NewsDuring a ceremonial sign unveiling, Baylor University celebrated the naming of the Moody School of Education, made possible by a transformational $30 million gift from the Moody Foundation.
The Texas Chapter of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDDTX) recognized outstanding leaders and advocates in the field during its 50th annual convention held Aug. 18-21 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Among this year’s honorees was Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing Director Kristen Padilla, Ph.D., recipient of the 2026 Helen G. FitzSimmons Leadership Award.
Baylor's Moody School of Education Department of Educational Psychology is adding two new specialization tracks to its Master of Science in Education in Educational Psychology graduate program: Special Education and Twice-Exceptionalities. Led by department chair Dr. Bree Jimenez, the new tracks build on the department's existing strengths in learning sciences, gifted education, and special education research, preparing educators to support special education students and twice exceptional learners in Texas classrooms.
Faculty in Baylor University’s Moody School of Education have received a $399,367 state grant to deliver evidence-based professional development for educators working with students with autism. Led by Drs. Gospel Kim, Tonya Davis, Jessica Akers, and Jenny Robins, the PEAKS+ project combines structured training, collaborative consultation, and individualized coaching to meet urgent needs in Texas schools.