College of Education Health and Human Services
School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences
www.kent.edu/ehhs/ldes

About This Program

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. Read more...

Contact Information

• Program Coordinator: Bradley Morris | bmorri20@kent.edu | 330-672-2294
• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers

• K-12 teacher
• Data analyst
• Curriculum specialist
• Academic counseling
• Assessment specialist
• Educational research
• Program evaluation

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• 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) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score
  • Minimum 77 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 Duolingo English 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

Graduation Requirements

• The M.A. degree requires a minimum of 39 credit hours, including 6 credit hours of thesis credit.
• No more than one-half of a graduate student's coursework may be taken in 50000 level courses.
• Students have six years from the term of first enrollment to complete the program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Describe the various schools of learning theory that have informed educators
2. Conduct literature reviews and design empirical research to examine issues associated with how individuals learn
3. Apply principles of human development and learning when developing and selecting educational approaches
4. Identify best practices for maximizing student learning
5. Systematically design effective instructional programs to meet the academic needs of learners
6. Demonstrate knowledge of theories and principles of learner motivation
7. Describe social learning principles and their application to instructional practice
8. Evaluate teaching and learning practices with a variety of types of assessments
9. 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.