Statement of Purpose Example: Mississippi State University M.S. Educational Psychology

During my early studies I had no understanding of the importance of educational psychology; but I have known since I was a child that I wanted to work in the school setting. My passion for working in a school started in the 1st grade when I was asked what I wanted to be when I was older, I eagerly exclaimed, “I want to be a teacher!” As I grew older and my friends aspired to play professional sports, I still felt as though I was being called to work in the school system. Coming from a small town in southern Illinois and attending a private Christian institution for much of my life, the field of educational psychology was not prominent and was not a program that was ever shown to me. However, I still thank my 1st grade teacher for opening the doors for me and showing me that working in the school system has been my calling all along.

Growing up my family always preached how a gift of knowledge is the best gift you can ever receive. As I grew older, that mindset became ingrained in my studies; along with wanting to be able to share that same mentality with others. My desire to serve others and challenge the education system for the betterment of all children’s lives began to strengthen. This is when it began time to start the college search, I toured and committed to Mississippi State University. I entered my junior year of high school without any question in my mind Mississippi State University would be my home for the next four years. My sophomore year of college I took my first ever Educational Psychology courses. Immediately after that I knew that I had found my calling in life. Hearing the passion from the professors through the department immediately solidified my decision about working to become an Educational Psychologist. I listened to a guest lecturer in my Psychology of Individual Differences and Exceptional Abilities course where I heard how to create an inclusive setting for special education students while ensuring that they are in the least restrictive environment. That statement has stuck with me throughout the remainder of my college experience, and even helped to lead me to a path of how I want to spend my life with the enrichment of our future. Upon completion of this degree, I will have the opportunity and the ability to work alongside parents, educators, and fellow mental health professionals to help students reach their optimal levels of achievement and well-being. This profession is how I hope to make an impact in children’s lives.

Throughout my studies at Mississippi State, I found a passion that made me desire to continue my studies at a more advanced level. During my junior year I read an article that was published from a faculty member that made me completely change what I wanted my course of action to be. The article was about academic boredom and burnout in graduate students and trying to figure out what causes it. I read the article and felt my scope of focus for research to completely change. I wanted to take the previous research that was created and take it to a much broader level, I wanted to see how early on burnout can be recorded, along with the cause behind it. My decision to want to pursue research was always in the back of my mind, yet I was not sure if it was meant for me. I can remember the exact moment where I decided that I felt a calling to study educational psychology. I studied abroad in March of 2022 in Spain, during my time there we focused on the role of psychology in Spain, and the developmental challenges that they faced trying to grow their field. That is the moment where I felt my passion grow bigger than I ever could have imagined. Joining a field of like minded individuals whose whole goal is to continue researching and studying how we learn is a reward that is unmatched. 

I want to pursue my Masters of Science in Educational Psychology at Mississippi State University because the preparedness that the candidates receive is unmatched to other institutions. If accepted, I will be going into the program with nine graduate level credits due to my experience in Thrive in Five. Attending a school that is determined to have each student reach their full potential is a level of determination that I haven’t seen elsewhere. Having a program that specializes in mental health and educational interventions, child development, learning behavior, assessment, school law, and every other credential listed has demonstrated how to set ethical procedures for the delivery of my services.