Learning Sciences Graduate Certificate

Program Overview

The Learning Sciences Graduate Academic Certificate at UNT offers students a comprehensive understanding of learning theories and methodologies. It empowers educators to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and inclusivity of teaching and learning environments through close mentoring, faculty expertise, and evening course accessibility. The program prepares graduates for careers in various fields, including research institutes, school districts, and informal learning spaces.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Learning Sciences Graduate Academic Certificate (G.A.C.) is a program offered by the University of North Texas (UNT) within the College of Education. It is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the critical aspects of learning and explore the theories and methodologies of study and design of education. The program aims to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to use the learning sciences to make learning more effective, efficient, and inclusive.

Objectives:

• Understand the critical aspects of learning and explore the theories and methodologies of study and design of education.
• Help educators use the learning sciences to make learning more effective, efficient, and inclusive.

Program Description:

The Learning Sciences (LS) field has been growing for over 30 years, and UNT launched its LS program in Fall 2023. The program focuses on understanding how sociocultural systems impact learning and designing innovative and transformative learning opportunities through collaborative partnerships.

Teaching:

• Close, intentional mentoring: The program emphasizes close mentorship for students.
• Faculty Expertise: Faculty members have significant expertise in multiple qualitative, design, and collaborative-based research approaches and collaborate with other LS scholars across the U.S., including universities (e.g., Vanderbilt University, the Ohio State University) and research institutes (e.g., SRI International).
• Evening Courses: The LS concentration in Educational Psychology allows students to take courses exclusively in the evenings, enabling them to continue working in districts, museums, and other settings while implementing their developing expertise.

Careers:

Graduates of the Learning Sciences program are well-positioned to take positions in universities, non-profit research institutes, school district offices, informal learning spaces (e.g., museums, after-school programs), or consulting. Upon acceptance to the program, faculty will meet with students to understand their goals and career considerations.

Other:

• Focus Areas: Students may focus on various issues surrounding learning, including:
• Learning across scales (particular learning moments, collaborative learning sequences over time, learning systems)
• Design and implementation of learning environments (learning reforms, STEM learning and education, participatory designs)
• Research collaborations with young children, youth, families, teachers, district- and state-level administration, and out-of-school learning spaces.
• Program Strengths:
• 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.
• Pursuing equity in education through the study and design of learning environments.
• Program Courses:
• Learning Sciences Seminar 1 (3 hrs)
• Learning Sciences Seminar 2 (3 hrs)
• Design-Based and Participatory Research Methods (DBPR) (3 hrs)
• Research Methodologies as Contexts for Learning (3 hrs)