M.S. in Learning and Developmental Sciences
Whether your undergraduate degree is in mathematics, computer technology, psychology, education or anthropology — you might consider the MS in Learning Sciences. Are you interested in investigating learning-related issues? The MS degree will give you a chance to investigate cutting-edge science that will serve as a launching pad to an exciting career. Or, continue your path towards a rewarding Ph.D. and outstanding career opportunities in academia and industry.
Program components for Master’s degree:
I. Competencies
Develop a well-rounded skill set through course work, research in lab and field, and with your faculty mentor.
- Take an interdisciplinary perspective on important issues, applying relevant educational psychology, social science theory, cognitive sciences, and educational design theory and research.
- Establish and defend a personal research agenda that is grounded in the foundational assumptions of the learning sciences.
- Prepare a research grant proposal that responds to the research agendas of governmental agencies and foundations that advances the learning sciences.
- Apply research methods to critically inquire into claims about teaching and learning.
- Present research in written and oral form to effectively communicate to various publics the rigor, merit, and usefulness of the research.
- Design and develop learning environments to reflect and advance theory.
- Integrate the principles of the learning sciences within authentic instructional contexts.
- Effectively participate as a member of an interdisciplinary, collaborative research team.
- Adopt an action orientation or disposition that treats service work as an important component of one's professional agenda.
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II. Characteristics
- Community of Practice: The Learning Sciences program is committed to fostering a sense of community as you participate in numerous formal and informal collaborations. Join and participate:
- In a pro-seminar where faculty and student colleagues present their work
- In research groups for extended periods of time, moving from novice apprentice to core member
- In an annual cross-departmental conference, critiquing colleagues and over time presenting your own work
- In working circles, being responsible for critiquing articles from colleagues annually and contributing your own work at least twice during matriculation
- With cognitive science faculty, real-world practitioners, context experts, and other students to understand, implement, and advance learning science principles with respect to real-world problems
- Interdisciplinary Inquiry: Our program is part of a larger university effort in cognitive science and informatics. It is our belief that learning science problems are often solved through such interdisciplinary collaborations. Therefore, we actively seek association with scholars in disciplines with concerns similar to our own; we are active in adjacent literature, looking for conceptual and methodological inspiration; we seek organizational liaisons for cross disciplinary dialogue and we improve our research potential through criticism of our work in an atmosphere of constructive criticism by talented multidisciplinary scholars. In addition to becoming part of and contributing to this interdisciplinary research and development, you will complete foundations courses designed to help you gain the knowledge and skills associated with being a successful learning scientist.
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III. Benchmarks
As a student in the Learning Sciences Program you will have outstanding academic opportunities that will help you develop as an independent thinker, be remarkably competitive in academic and other research environments. You will leave the program with substantial research experience and related published work. The following are program benchmarks in support of these goals and program competencies.
- Entry: High GRE's, excellent undergrad record, some research experience, a personal essay that reflects a sincere and articulate interest in the learning sciences, references that provide thoughtful evidence for our criteria, and a successful personal interview.
- First year review: You will prepare an individual professional development plan describing degree, research, and other professional activities key to your growth as a learning scientist. This, in conjunction with a sample of work, will be used to review your progress. A program of studies will be filed with the Graduate Studies Office at this time.
- Master's Degree: By the end of the second year, you will write your thesis. The written and public defense of the thesis will be evaluated by a program advisory committee that includes faculty and peers.
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IV. Requirements
The MS research program requires 36 credit hours of work in addition to meeting the benchmarks described above. The requirements fall into four core areas of work:
- Learning Sciences Foundations (theory, philosophy) (15 credits)
- Inquiry (research methods, inquiry) (9 credits)
- Educational Foundations (6 credits)
- Electives (6 credits)
More about courses and seminars
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