Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Learning Science provides an advanced and interdisciplinary study in the principles of human cognition, learning and development. The program provides rigorous training in the theoretical foundations of cognition, learning and development, as well as research design, instrumentation, quantitative analysis and research application.

Graduates are qualified to become faculty at the university level and are also prepared for careers in a variety of industry and government settings conducting research and guiding the application of evidence-based practices.

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 or higher from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate and graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Minimum 18 credit hours of courses in psychology, education or related fields (including a course in statistics)
• Official transcript(s)
• Research experience and broad background in educational psychology, psychology or related fields
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• Interview
• Effective with spring 2024 admission term, a curriculum vitae will be required
• 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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Inform and enhance practice based on deep knowledge of research, theories and principles of cognition, learning and development.
2. Synthesize and critically evaluate scholarly articles and texts.
3. Apply principles of research design to create rigorous experiments and studies.
4. Analyze and interpret quantitative data using appropriate cutting-edge methodologies and tools.
5. Develop scientific writing skills in order to effectively communicate research findings to the scientific community and practitioners.
6. Design and conduct empirical research to investigate the cognitive and developmental basis for effective teaching and learning practices.
7. Disseminate original, empirical research through scholarly presentations, conferences and publications.

Program Requirements

¹

Post-baccalaureate students may use additional program electives to fulfill requirements for the M.A. degree. These courses may be taken at either the doctoral or master's level.

²

Upon admission to candidacy, each doctoral candidate must register for LRNS 80199. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I for a total of 30 credit hours, and thereafter LRNS 80299 each semester until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Candidacy

Students who have been admitted into the doctoral program will be considered for Ph.D. candidacy after they have met all requirements for the master's degree. In addition, the department reserves the right to separate from the program a student who, in the opinion of a duly constituted departmental committee, is not likely to succeed professionally despite earning acceptable grades.

Graduation Requirements

• The doctoral program requires a minimum of four years of full-time attendance for holders of the bachelor's degree.
• All doctoral students complete a
  • program of basic core courses,
  • select additional courses and seminars with the aid of a faculty advisor and
  • master's thesis and a doctoral dissertation.
• A limited number of graduate courses outside the department may be credited toward graduation.
• Doctoral program aspirants who do not hold a master's degree upon starting the program must complete all the requirements for the M.A. degree in Learning Science.

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

Full Description

The Master of Education degree in Educational Psychology 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.Ed. degree program is appropriate for classroom teachers, professionals in a variety of settings and students wishing to pursue graduate-level training in educational psychology.

The Educational Psychology major includes the following optional concentration:

• The Gifted Education concentration focuses on gifted learners, their unique needs and the application of educational psychological principles to the education of gifted learners.

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 (paper-based version)
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
  • Minimum 77 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 Duolingo English Test score

Additional admission requirements for the Gifted Education optional concentration:

• A valid standard teaching certificate or provisional or professional teaching license from the State of Ohio

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

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 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. Demonstrate knowledge of theories and principles of learner motivation.

Program Requirements

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

Gifted Education Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• The M.Ed. degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework.
• 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.

• Delivery:
  • Fully online

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.

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 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

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.

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

Full Description

The Gifted Education Endorsement Preparation non-degree program will prepare students to obtain the Gifted Intervention Specialist (K-12) endorsement. Completion of the coursework is a prerequisite to being recommended by Kent State University for licensure, and licenses are granted by the Ohio Department of Education. Students in this program will learn about gifted learners, their unique needs, and the application of educational psychological principles to the education of gifted learners.

The non-degree program is not a master's degree program. Students interested in obtaining a teaching license and a master's degree from Kent State University must also be fully admitted into the master's degree program and complete the prescribed coursework on the master's degree prospectus, in addition to courses that are prescribed here for licensure.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

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 degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000 scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Valid standard teaching certificate, or provisional or professional teaching license from the State of Ohio

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Endorsement Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum 3.000 overall GPA

Licensure Information

Prior to program completion, the candidate must demonstrate proficiencies in the following areas (including but not limited to): data literacy and analysis; use of research and assessment data; leadership and collaboration; utilizing and supporting appropriate technology for the discipline; and application of professional dispositions, laws and policies, codes of ethics and professional standards appropriate to their field of specialization.

Candidates seeking Ohio teaching licensure are required to pass specific requirements in order to apply for licensure from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). Students should consult the Educational Psychology program area for specific program requirements and refer to the Ohio Department of Education - Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type.

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