Program Overview

Learning Sciences Certification

Program Overview

The Learning Sciences Certification is a Graduate Academic Certificate (G.A.C.) program that explores the critical aspects of learning and the theories and methodologies of study and design of education. The program aims to help educators use the learning sciences to make learning more effective, efficient, and inclusive.

Program Details

• Format: On Campus
• Estimated Time to Complete: 2-3 semesters
• Credit Hours: 18

Program Requirements

The program requires students to complete 18 credit hours of coursework, including:

• Learning Sciences Seminar 1 (3 hrs)
• Learning Sciences Seminar 2 (3 hrs)
• Design-Based and Participatory Research Methods (DBPR) (3hrs)
• Research Methodologies as Contexts for Learning (3 hrs)

Program Highlights

• Close, intentional mentoring
• Opportunities to work on established grant-supported projects within STEM, science, and learning design
• Teaching opportunities with pre-service teachers focused on course design and equity
• Faculty members have significant expertise in multiple qualitative, design and collaborative-based research approaches

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Learning Sciences program will be positioned to take positions in universities, non-profit research institutes, school district offices, informal learning spaces (e.g. museums, after-school programs), or consulting.

Research Areas

• Analysis of learning across scales
• Design and implementation of learning environments
• Research collaborations with young children, youth, families, teachers, and district- and state-level administration and support for teaching
• Out-of-school learning spaces (e.g., museums)

Program Goals

• Pursuing equity in education through the study and design of learning environments
• Understanding the critical aspects of learning and exploring the theories and methodologies of study and design of education

Program Description

The Learning Sciences (LS) as a field has been growing over the past 30+ years. LS is still new to UNT, first launching in the Fall of 2023. Our LS community in the College of Education is both similar and unique from the broader field. Like the broader field, we are dedicated to understanding how sociocultural systems impact learning and designing innovative and transformative opportunities for learning through collaborative partnerships.