Learning Sciences, MA
Anthropology of Education, Cognition, Cognitive science, Educational psychology, Innovation, Learning sciences, Learning system, Psychology, Teaching system, Technology, cultural, design, media, social
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is changing their name, effective Fall 2025. The new name is Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation.
Learning happens everywhere. Use the power of design thinking to enhance learning experiences in a variety of settings. Interdisciplinary in scope and blending theoretical insight with practical tools, this program prepares you to be a creative thinker and an effective doer.
The Master of Arts program in learning sciences emphasizes an understanding that learning happens in many places outside of traditional school settings, and doing so focuses on the power of design thinking to improve educational systems.
The curriculum's systems-level approach includes cognitive, social and contextual factors as well as the interactions among them.
Individualized guidance provides students with the support they need to succeed in today's rapidly evolving educational environment. Students work with faculty to determine whether they will conduct an applied project or complete a research thesis study. Applied projects provide evidence of mastery of the skills and knowledge obtained through the program, while a thesis project requires students to complete a research study within an area of inquiry in the learning sciences and has the potential for scholarly recognition.
This program does not lead to teacher certification but can prepare graduate students for doctoral credentials in education after graduation.
- College/school:
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
- Location: Tempe
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (LSE 593), or
30 credit hours, a thesis and a written comprehensive exam
Required Core (12 credit hours)
LSE 540 Theoretical Views of Learning in the Learning Sciences (3)
LSE 542 Research Methods in the Learning Sciences (3)
LSE 570 Case Exemplars of Learning Systems (3)
LSE 571 History of the Learning Sciences (3)
Other Requirements (6 credit hours)
LSE 591 Seminar (6)
Electives (6 or 9 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours)
LSE 593 Applied Project (3) or
LSE 599 Thesis (6)
Additional Curriculum Information
Students completing an applied project complete nine credit hours of electives. Students completing a thesis complete six credit hours of electives. Electives must be taken at the graduate level and are selected in conjunction with the student's advisor. LSE 591 should be taken for three credit hours twice, for a total of six credit hours.
With advisor approval, EDP 540 may be taken in place of LSE 540 for the core requirement.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.
Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- three letters of recommendation
- personal statement
- resume
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Admission Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The letters of recommendation should be from individuals who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program, and the personal statement should describe the applicant's interests and reason for seeking this degree.
Graduates possess skills in facilitating learning using an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on cognitive science, educational psychology, computer science, anthropology, sociology, information sciences, neurosciences, instructional design and more. They are prepared to pursue a variety of educational careers tailored to their professional goals.
Graduates are equipped to design effective learning and teaching systems in a wide variety of settings, such as museums, libraries, workplaces and schools. The program prepares graduates to become leaders in the development, integration and improvement of these systems.
Career examples include:
- educational and interactional designer
- educator in community organization
- educator in educational institution
- training specialist, coordinator, manager or director
Educational Leadership & Innovation, Division
|
ED 118
GraduateEducation@asu.edu
480-965-5555
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
