Educational Psychology & Special Education (Certificate)

Name: Educational Psychology & Special Education (Certificate)
Rating: 4.4 (1765 reviews)

Informational content for educators and parents to learn about teaching and understanding exceptional children.

Created byDr. Bev Knox

Last updated 5/2026

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What you'll learn

This course focuses on teaching educational psychology principles to primarily enhance learning
Compare and contrast the major perspectives of psychology (e.g., behavioral/learning, physiological, cognitive, evolutionary, humanistic, and psychodynamic.
Recognize what expert teachers do and know, and how to become an expect teacher
Identify the individual differences regarding intelligence, learning styles, and creativity

Course content

9 sections • 54 lectures • 8h 36m total length

Course Introduction2:14
Educational Psychology & Special Education (Certification of Completion)
Educational Psychology involves the study of cognitive, emotional, and social leaning processes that contribute to education and human development across the lifespan. This course is focused on teaching educational psychology principles to primarily enhance learning in the classroom. The following educational psychology focus areas are discussed: what expert teachers do and know, cognitive development concepts, personal, social, and moral development ideas, individual differences regarding intelligence, learning styles, and creativity, exceptional children, special education, group differences regarding socioeconomic status, and classroom management.
Course Objectives: The primary goal of this course is to establish a foundation of knowledge for the understanding and acceptance of educational psychology in its many forms.
Intro to Educational Psychology8:38

Mod 1 - Learning Objectives - Why Teachers Need to Understand Human Behavior3:07
The History of Psychology7:40
Plato vs Aristotle - Early Influences in Psychology11:12
Psychology's Perspectives13:04
Explore psychological perspectives and schools—from structuralism and behaviorism to cognitive and humanistic approaches—and analyze behavior, mental processes, and the nature and nurture debate across levels of analysis.
Research Methods in Psychology16:40
Freud's Iceberg Theory9:32
Freud's iceberg theory shows that the conscious mind is the small tip of a vast unconscious, shaped by dynamic processes and childhood experiences, influencing daily behavior.
QUIZ #1

Mod 2 - Why Teachers Need to Understand the Process of Child Development2:30
Explore how child development shapes learning by aligning instruction with cognitive and emotional developmental milestones, meeting each child where they are, and guiding intentional teaching, planning, and evaluation.
Introduction to Child Development7:59
Epigenetic Influences on Gene Expression10:46
Explore how environmental and epigenetic factors influence gene expression. Nature and nurture jointly shape development through epigenetic changes.
Parenting Styles16:29
Physical Development in Early Childhood7:08
Examine physical development in early childhood (ages 3–6), detailing steady growth, refining gross and fine motor skills, and milestone-based expectations for movement, sleep, and independence.
Developmental Milestones in Middle Childhood5:45
Explore growth, brain development, and emerging abilities in middle childhood (ages 6 to 11), including milestones in coordination, literacy, math, and managing health and diet, with attention to mental health.
QUIZ #2

Mod 3 - Why Teachers Need to Understand Cognitive Development & IQ Scores.2:32
Cognitive Development in Infants and Toddlers8:02
Cognitive Development in Early Childhood9:11
Cognitive Development in Adolescence13:05
Student Diversity & Social Class on Achievement9:05
Explore student diversity, including socio economic status, race, language, gender bias, and culture, and how they affect achievement and school experiences, then identify inclusive teaching principles for diverse classrooms.
Intelligence Types & IQ Scores19:35
QUIZ #3

Mod 4 - Why Teachers Need to Understand Psychosocial Development2:05
Explore psychosocial development to tailor teaching strategies that support emotional, social, and cognitive growth, respond to challenging behaviors, and meet diverse learners across online and in-person formats.
Psychosocial Development in Infants and Toddlers14:17
Psychosocial Development & Peer Influences11:03
How Do We Learn4:57
Social Influence / Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiment7:44
Explore how social influence shapes beliefs, attitudes, and behavior through observational and operant learning, modeling from the Bobo doll experiment, and the roles of rewards, punishments, social cues, and norms.
Ivan Pavlov & Classical Conditioning6:49
B.F. Skinner & Operant Conditioning / Behavior Modification14:19
Explore operant conditioning and behavior modification, identifying how reinforcement and punishment shape voluntary behavior. Learn about primary and secondary reinforcers, schedules, shaping, stimulus control, and biological constraints.
Memory - Encoding, Storing & Retrieval13:43
Thinking & Language Development10:16
Explore how thinking relies on mental representations and concepts, and how language development unfolds from babbling to grammar, with insights on prototypes, language theories, and bilingual advantages.
QUIZ #4

Mod 5 - Who Are Exceptional Children2:36
Who are Exceptional Children?7:53
Special Education Explained5:17
Explore how IDEA defines special education as specially designed instruction at no cost, delivered via an IEP, and guided by six principles to ensure FAPE for ages 3–21.
Special Education & Response to Intervention10:30
Who are the Gifted and Talented - IQ Scores7:20
Explore how giftedness reflects a brain-based difference shaping intellectual, academic, and social-emotional development, and review IQ score bands, standard deviations, and identification methods used in gifted and talented programs.
Autism 10112:01
More Information on Autism Spectrum Disorder20:24
Intellectual Development Disorders14:48
Section 504 - Students with Disabilities5:35
Explore Section 504 protections for qualified students with disabilities, ensuring free appropriate public education and equal access in programs receiving federal funding.
QUIZ #5

Mod 7 - Becoming an Excellent Teacher with Purpose3:51
Educational Psychology - What Makes a Good Teacher15:11
Identify Our Own Belief Bias in the Classroom9:16
Identify Child Abuse and Maltreatment from the Classroom10:50
Building Self-Esteem in Children - For Parents & Teachers13:48
Student Grouping & Technology in the Classroom6:50
Effective Lessons Explained8:57
Qualities of a Good Teacher - Becoming an Excellent Teacher with Purpose10:37
Desired Classroom Skills1:32
Some Common Weaknesses of Teachers2:44
Educational Options for Becoming a Excellent Teacher with Purpose3:46
Explore options for becoming an excellent teacher with purpose, including bachelor's degrees, alternative licensure routes, master's degrees, and certification, while developing cognitive skills, communication skills, research skills, and social skills.
QUIZ #7

Requirements

There are no requirements or prerequisites for taking this course

Description

(Certificate of Completion)

Educational Psychology involves the study of cognitive, emotional, and social leaning processes that contribute to education and human development across the lifespan.

Course Objectives: The primary goal of this course is to establish a foundation of knowledge for the understanding and acceptance of educational psychology in its many forms.

This is a full college level type course with lectures and exams. It is a great way to explore the world of Educational Psychology, Special Education, Learning Types, IQ Scores, Teaching Techniques, and more. Both parents and professional educators are encouraged to take this course as part of their continuing education journey.

The key processes of development are biological, cognitive, and socioemotional. Biological processes (such as genes inherited from parents) involve changes in an individual’s body. Cognitive processes (such as thinking) consist of changes in an individual’s thought, intelligence, and language. Socioemotional process (such as the advent of smiling) include changes in an individual’s relationships with others, in emotions, and in personality.

Parenting is an important influence on children’s development. Education can also contribute to children’s health and well-being. There is wide-spread concern that the education of children needs to be more effective, and there are many views in contemporary education about ways to improve schools.

Who this course is for:

Anyone wanting to learn about Educational Psychology. Future teachers or parents who may have children with special educational needs.

Educational Psychology & Special Education (Certificate)

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction2 lectures • 11min

Mod 1 - Introduction to Psychology & Understanding Human Behavior6 lectures • 1hr 1min

Mod 2 - Intro to Child Development - Physical Development6 lectures • 51min

Mod 3 - Cognitive Development & IQ Scores6 lectures • 1hr 2min

Mod 4 - Psychosocial Development & How Students Learn9 lectures • 1hr 25min

Mod 5 - Who Are Exceptional Children & Special Education Explained9 lectures • 1hr 26min

Mod 6 - Mental Health Challenges in Childhood4 lectures • 1hr 11min

Mod 7 - Becoming an Excellent Teacher - Effective Learning Lessons11 lectures • 1hr 27min

Reflection & Certificate of Completion1 lecture • 2min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: