The Learning Sciences (LS) program approaches learning and instruction from an applied view of the Learning Sciences and aims to prepare scholars and practitioners who are well versed in different perspectives on teaching and learning and capable of critically evaluating the effectiveness of instructional technologies and techniques across different populations and contexts (including virtual, traditional face-to-face, and blended).
The Ph.D. program is structured to prepare scholars and practitioners whose primary interests involve issues of cognition, instruction, learning, and technology. Although the Learning Sciences (LS) Ph.D. program is designed to encourage full-time graduate study, several students work part-time in the community. In most cases, these part-time positions are related to the student’s graduate program and consequently may even enhance the student’s skills, professional maturity, and overall educational goals.
Modality
Requirements
Students are expected to complete all required courses and complement required coursework with elective coursework related to their specific research interests and professional goals. In addition to required coursework, students are required to pass a comprehensive examination and defend a dissertation proposal before their advisory committee and readers. Students must complete all other dissertation requirements as specified by the Educational Psychology Department and the Graduate School. The list below represents courses typically included in the plan of study for the LS Ph.D. degree. Waivers and substitutions for these courses are allowed with approval from the student’s primary advisor and advising committee.
Doctor of Philosophy Core Courses
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| EPSY 5510 | Learning: Its Implication for Education | 3 |
| EPSY 5515 | Professional Seminar in Cognition and Instruction | 1 |
| EPSY 5220 | Introduction to Educational Technology | 3 |
| EPSY 5520 | Instructional Design | 3 |
| EPSY 5530 | Theories of Learning, Cognition and Instruction | 3 |
| EPSY 5540 | Research Ethics in Education and Psychology | 2 |
| EPSY 5602 | Educational Tests and Measurements | 3 |
| EPSY 5605 | Quantitative Methods in Research I | 3 |
| EPSY 5607 | Quantitative Methods in Research II | 3 |
| EPSY 5610 | Applied Regression Analysis for the Education Sciences | 3 |
| EPSY 5613 | Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research | 3 |
| EPSY 5621 | Construction of Evaluation Instruments | 3 |
| EPSY 6601 | Methods and Techniques of Educational Research | 3 |
| GRAD 6950 | Doctoral Dissertation Research (a minimum of 15 credits) | 15 |
| Total Credits | 51 |