Program Overview

Educational Psychology Ph.D. with a concentration in Learning Sciences

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Learning Sciences focuses on generating sophisticated data for key decision-makers. The data can be used to advance other fields using critical research methods and develop new approaches, demonstrate the value of programs serving children and families or social policy, and help corporations remain competitive.

Program Details

• Program Type: Doctoral Degree
• Format: On Campus
• Estimated Time to Complete: 4-5 years
• Credit Hours: 63 with prior master’s, 78 with prior bachelor’s

Description

The Learning Sciences concentration prepares students to develop an understanding of learning in multiple contexts (in and out of school) and the role of institutional arrangements that shape learning and development. Students will explore developing research agendas and designs in partnership with children, youth, families, educators, informal institutions, and schools and districts. Designs for learning and the study of learning will be deeply embedded within existing and emerging theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches.

Requirements

• Courses:
  • Design-Based and Participatory Research Methods (3hrs)
  • Research Methodologies as Context for Learning (3hrs)
  • Diversity in Individuals, Families, and Schools (3hrs)
  • Two electives in line with doctoral focus (6hrs total)
  • Learning Sciences Seminar 1 (3hrs)
  • Learning Sciences Seminar 2 (3hrs)

Career Outlook

This concentration prepares students for a number of careers, including the professoriate, district program coordinators, curriculum specialists, state education agency positions, informal learning center directors, and district researchers.

Marketable Skills

• Academic verbal and written communication
• Reflective practice
• Collaborative approaches
• Pedagogical approaches
• Articulate, analyze, and design to innovate learning environments
• Analysis of learning data across contexts
• Understanding of multiple theories of learning
• Qualitative, design, experiential, space/place, and participatory research methods
• Understanding of attending to local place and population in research

Research Areas

• Learning design
• Teaching and learning
• Informal learning design
• Interactional development

Faculty and Collaboration

Faculty and students collaborate with scholars in the department's other graduate programs, such as the special education concentration, human development and family sciences concentration, and the special education Ph.D. degree program, as well as school and informal learning practitioners, families, and children/youth.