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Course of Study Heading link

  1. A sequence of six core courses, focusing on the multi-disciplinary nature of the learning sciences, the scientific foundations of inquiry into learning from multiple disciplinary perspectives, methods of learning sciences research, and applications of learning sciences in the design and modification of learning environments (24 credit hours).
  2. Five semesters of Journal Club, a journal-review seminar that students take five times during their course of study, beginning in the first semester.  Students have the opportunity to hear speakers present their own research as part of a regular series. The seminar creates a learning community in which students and faculty engage in critical review, analysis, and discussion of key journal publications in the learning sciences or related fields (10 credit hours).
  3. Coursework in a disciplinary specialization, selected in consultation with the student’s Learning Sciences Faculty Advisor and an advisor in the disciplinary specialization. Students take courses offered through existing graduate programs at UIC (minimum of 12 credit hours).
  4. Elective courses — additional graduate-level courses in the disciplinary specialization, research methods, other disciplines, or special topics courses offered periodically in the Learning Sciences program. These courses will be selected in consultation with the student’s advisor in the Learning Sciences program and in consultation with the course instructor to determine relevance and appropriateness of course content to the student’s program goals and academic preparation for the course (minimum of 16 credit hours).
  5. A minimum of 34 research credit hours.

Research Apprenticeship Heading link

The LS@UIC program prepares students to engage in research on learning in diverse contexts with an emphasis on the design, development, and implementation of learning environments that support meaningful educational goals and provide sustainable solutions to the challenges learners face in and out of schools. Program activities and requirements are organized to provide students with opportunities to develop theoretical, conceptual, and empirical perspectives that draw from the learning sciences and their disciplinary specialization, as well as to engage in research and design activities. Students are encouraged to participate in various professional organizations, including the International Society of the Learning Sciences, the American Educational Research Association, and other professional organizations relevant to their research area.

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