Program Overview
Learning Science - M.A.
Overview
Advance your knowledge and skills in education with the Learning Science M.A. program. Our innovative curriculum and experienced faculty prepare you to create effective learning environments and improve student outcomes.
Admissions
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- Goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 58 PTE score
- Minimum 110 DET score
Application Deadlines
- Fall Semester: Priority deadline: January 1 (Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission)
- Spring Semester: Rolling admissions
- Summer Term: Rolling admissions
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
- Specialty Area Electives: 12 credit hours
- Major Electives, choose from the following: 21 credit hours
- EPSY 50093: VARIABLE TITLE WORKSHOP IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
- EPSY 65520: CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT
- EPSY 65523: LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENT
- EPSY 65524: LEARNING THEORIES
- EPSY 65529: EDUCATIONAL MOTIVATION
- EPSY 68905: EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
- LRNS 65525: INFORMAL LEARNING
- LRNS 66510: INTRODUCTION TO R FOR EDUCATIONAL AND LEARNING SCIENCES
- LRNS 66511: STATISTICAL PROGRAMMING IN R FOR LEARNING SCIENCE
- RMS 65510: STATISTICS I FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
- RMS 65511: RESEARCH IN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
- Culminating Requirement:
- LRNS 60199: THESIS I: 6 credit hours
Graduation Requirements
- Minimum Major GPA: 3.000
- Minimum Overall GPA: 3.000
- The M.A. degree requires a minimum of 39 credit hours, including 6 credit hours of thesis.
- Students have six years from the term of first enrollment to complete the program.
- No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
- Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Describe the various schools of learning theory that have informed educators.
- Conduct literature reviews and design empirical research to examine issues associated with how individuals learn.
- Apply principles of human development and learning when developing and selecting educational approaches.
- Identify best practices for maximizing student learning.
- Systematically design effective instructional programs to meet the academic needs of learners.
- Demonstrate knowledge of theories and principles of learner motivation.
- Describe social learning principles and their application to instructional practice.
- Evaluate teaching and learning practices with a variety of types of assessments.
- Competently evaluate educational programs and approaches.
Full Description
The Master of Arts degree in Learning Science provides advanced study for students interested in the application of psychological principles to learning and instruction. It encompasses a variety of different disciplines, including cognitive psychology, human development and learning theory. Students are exposed to the latest research findings regarding how people learn most effectively and efficiently. They also apply these principles to the design of instruction and study how to most accurately assess different types of learning.
The M.A. degree program is appropriate for classroom teachers, professionals in a variety of settings and students wishing to pursue doctoral-level training in learning sciences.
Why Kent State University
Educational Psychology Lab
We use a variety of experimental and computational methods including eye tracking, electrodermal analysis, and computational models to investigate cognition and learning over time.
Start Your Career!
Explore all that this immersive and engaging program has to offer by visiting our webpage.
Affinity Groups for Graduate Students
The Division of Graduate Studies sponsors affinity groups for graduate students who are parents and for first-generation graduate students.
