Earn an innovative degree for instructional designers and learning engineers
Redefine educational experiences with SMU’s online Master of Science in the Learning Sciences (MSLS). Through a multidisciplinary learning science education, you will learn to design and deploy transformative educational tools applicable to all types of industries, modalities and audiences. Join a diverse community of professionals seeking to harness cognitive science, instructional design and cutting-edge technology to improve how we learn and teach.
Program Details
- Total Credits: 30
- Specializations: 2
- Start Dates: Two per year (Spring and fall)
- Program Length: 5 semesters, ~1.5 years
- Modality: 100% online with optional on-campus events
- Delivery: Primarily asynchronous with weekly synchronous sessions
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What is a Master of Science in the Learning Sciences?
The online M.S. in the Learning Sciences at SMU integrates research, theory, education and human development to create innovative learning experiences for both formal and informal settings. With a curriculum rooted in cognitive science, data science and technology-enhanced learning, the MSLS program empowers you to lead and innovate in an array of settings for learners at all stages of life.
Craft tools that transform how knowledge is acquired and skills are honed
Instructional designers, corporate trainers, learning and development managers, software developers and other professionals can upskill and pivot their career direction with the online Master of Science in the Learning Sciences. With a comprehensive understanding of how people learn and the technological tools to enhance educational experiences, MSLS graduates are prepared to tackle challenges in instructional design, data analysis, and the creation of engaging learning materials.
Change the way learning happens through efforts like:
- Designing educational software and mobile applications
- Informing policy through data-driven insights
- Leading corporate training initiatives
- Directing technology integration projects in educational settings
- Crafting interactive museums and public education exhibits
- Developing simulation training for the military, health care, and other specialized industries
- Pioneering the workforce development strategy for major institutions
From instructional technology to educational data science: MSLS Curriculum
The online MSLS program includes four required core curriculum courses to give you a robust foundation in the scientific basis of learning, current trends in education and research methodologies for qualitative and quantitative findings. You will also enroll in one of two specialization options or choose courses individually to build a personalized elective curriculum to ensure the MSLS courses meet your career needs and interests. Whether you're aspiring to innovate with technology, master the craft of learning analytics, or do a little bit of both, the SMU learning sciences master’s has you covered.
Faculty Spotlight: Anthony “Tony” Cuevas, Ph.D.
The intersection of innovation and learning
Through his expertise and dedication, Dr. Tony Cuevas, clinical professor in the online MSLS, has spearheaded cutting-edge projects that fuse cognitive science with innovative technology, including an award-winning adult literacy app and cost-effective virtual reality surgical simulations, which markedly enhance medical training in resource-limited regions.
Students in the MSLS program benefit from Cuevas’s real-world experience and insights, becoming leaders determined to channel cognitive science, instructional design and the latest technology to profoundly improve learning outcomes.
A world of opportunity, entirely online
Thrive with flexible program delivery
The M.S. in the Learning Sciences is delivered 100% online so you can expand your skills while continuing to work. Start dates in both the spring and fall mean you can begin your academic journey at a time that best fits your schedule.
Meet education innovators
The online MSLS faculty are revered for both their scholarship and their professional experience. Connect with faculty one-on-one to get support with coursework, find or develop research opportunities, or seek career advice.
Leverage a legacy of success at SMU
Earning a degree from a nationally ranked research university like SMU1 is not just an academic achievement, it's an entry into a tradition of excellence and a community of leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the differences between the learning sciences degree and traditional education degrees?
The online MSLS emphasizes the application of the latest technologies in education, such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and data analytics, preparing graduates to implement and manage innovative learning solutions across all sorts of industries and settings. Further, graduates of a learning sciences program often pursue careers in instructional design, corporate training and educational technology leadership, which are distinct from the K-12 teaching roles that traditional education degrees typically prepare students for.
Can I work while completing the online MSLS?
What kind of academic support is available to students in the online MSLS?
Additionally, upon admission to the program, you are paired with a student success coordinator who can help you navigate the online learning environment, find study strategies that work for you, connect you with additional resources and assist you in many other ways.
There are also non-mandatory campus-based opportunities like conferences and seminars where students can network with faculty, peers and other professionals.
What are some of the career opportunities available to a graduate with a master’s degree in the learning sciences?
- Learning experience designer
- Instructional technology coordinator
- Educational data scientist
- Corporate training manager
- Curriculum developer
- Learning management system analyst
- Education policy advisor
- User experience researcher for educational technology
- Chief learning officer
Admissions Deadlines
Become an education innovator
- Retrieved on March 11, 2024, from usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/southern-methodist-university-06904