Skip to main content
UMass Collegiate M The University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Give
  • Search UMass.edu
College of Education College of Education

Main navigation

  • Academics

    Academic programs

    All Academic ProgramsUndergraduate EducationGraduate ProgramsUndergraduate ProgramsCertificatesLicensing Programs
    ApplyInfo for current studentsInfo for prospective studentsDepartmentsCourses
  • Be a Teacher
    Educator licensing programsEducator licensing processMTEL informationEducator preparation data
    View all licenses offered
  • Research
    Research centers and programsOffice of Research & EngagementJournals
  • Campus & Outreach
    Values in PracticeGiving and supportInfo for alumniInfo for teachers and educators
  • About
    NewsEventsInfo for faculty & staffDirectory of offices
    ContactPeople A-ZDean's WelcomeAccreditation

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Mathematics, Science & Learning Technologies PhD

Mathematics, Science, & Learning Technologies PhD Course of Study

Course of Study

All Mathematics, Science, & Learning Technologies doctoral students follow the same common course of study in addition to their specialty experiences and concentration electives. 

MSLT PhD Program Handbook

CourseDescriptionCredits
 Prerequisite 
EDUC 692KTheories of Learning3
 Core Courses 
EDUC 792QIntro to Research in MSLT3
EDUC 738Survey of Math and Science Education Research3
EDUC 693BMSLT Research3

EDUC 693F

OR

EDUC 704

Teaching Social Justice Through Science, Technology, and Mathematics

OR 

Issues of Gender in Science and Science Education

3

 

 Quantitative Research Courses (2 of the following courses) 
EDUC 661Quantitative Research Methods3
EDUC 555Introduction to Statistics I3
EDUC 656Introduction to Statistics II3
EDUC 632 Principles in Testing3
EDUC 691MRMixed Methods3
EDUC 731Structural Equation Modeling3
EDUC 771Applied Multivariate Analysis I3
EDUC 772Applied Multivariate Analysis II3
EDUC 794BSurvey Research Methods3
 Qualitative Research Courses (2 of the following) 
EDUC 619Qualitative Research Methods3
EDUC 797AQualitative Data Analysis3
EDUC 691 MRMixed Methods3
EDUC 718Action Research in Schools3
EDUC 794CClinical Methods Study3
EDUC 794DCritical Discourse Analysis 3
EDUC 815Ethnography (2 semesters)3

Specialty Experiences and Electives

In addition to the common course of study, students also choose two specialty experiences and two elective courses in consultation with their advisor depending on their concentration area. 

Science Education

CourseDescriptionCredits
 Specialty Experiences (2 of the following courses in consultation w/ advisor) 
EDUC 667Theories of Teaching and Learning in STEM3
EDUC 706Workshop in Science Education3
EDUC 725Recent Developments in Secondary Science3
EDUC 697SEProfessional Seminar in Science Education 3
 Electives (2 additional courses, can be Specialty Experiences) 
EDUC 694GTheories of Interest and Motivation3
EDUC 722Research on Teacher Education3
EDUC 897BResearch Topics in Science and Math3
HUMDEV 660Theories of Human Development3
EDUC 692KFoundations and Theories of Learning 
EDUC 718Action Research in Schools3
EDUC 790CHistorical and Social Foundations of Education3
EDUC 791SUsing Video in Research and Teaching3
EDUC 794CClinical Methods Study3
EDUC 837The Influence of the Social Context of Schools and the Politics of Reform on Teaching and Learning3

Learning Technology

CourseDescriptionCredits
 Specialty Experiences (2 of the following courses in consultation w/ advisor) 
EDUC 737Educational Media Theory3
EDUC 792FComputational Literacy3
EDUC 897CSeminar in Digital Media Learning3
 Electives (2 additional courses, can be Specialty Experiences) 
EDUC 603Computer Mediated Communication3
EDUC 693KInstructional Design of Educational Technology3
EDUC 612Educational Web Design3
CMPSCI 691OTools and Explanatory Tutoring Systems3
EDUC 711Recent Developments in Secondary Mathematics3
EDUC 790AMath Curriculum Issues and Trends3
EDUC 694GTheories of Interest and Motivation3
EDUC 897BResearch Topics in Science and Math3
EDUC 718Action Research in Schools3
EDUC 794CClinical Methods Study 
EDUC 791SUsing Video in Research and Teaching3
EDUC 837The Influence of the Social Context of Schools and the Politics of Reform on Teaching and Learning3

Mathematics Education

Specialty Experiences (2 of the following courses in consultation w/ advisor)

CourseDescriptionCredits
EDUC 667Theories of Teaching and Learning in STEM 
EDUC 710Seminar in Mathematics Education3
EDUC 711Recent Developments in Secondary Mathematics3
EDUC 790AMathematics Curriculum Issues and Trends3
 Electives (2 additional courses, can be Specialty Experiences) 
EDUC 651Teaching Mathematical Problem Solving3
EDUC 694GTheories of Interest and Motivation3
EDUC 697CCSecondary Math Curriculum Topics and Innovations3
EDUC 697MEProfessional Seminar in Math Education3
EDUC 722Research on Teacher Education3
EDUC 897BResearch Topics in Science and Math3
EDUC 591MIntro to Secondary Math Education3
HUMDEV 660Theories of Human Development3
EDUC 718Action Research in Schools3
EDUC 790CHistorical and Social Foundations of Education3
EDUC 791SUsing Video in Research and Teaching3
EDUC 837The Influence of the Social Context of Schools and the Politics of Reform on Teaching and Learning3

Professional and Scholarly Activities 

While moving through the program, a doctoral student must also engage in a variety of professional and scholarly activities. To graduate, all MSLT students must complete the following activities. If not noted below, the timing and approach for fulfilling these activities will be determined in consultation with the faculty advisor:

  • Create an E-portfolio and showcase it at a MSLT interactive poster conference (during the first three years) (EDUC 693B)
  • Write a paper on foundational theories in chosen field of study (e.g., EDUC 792Q, EDUC 738, EDUC 693B, EDUC 667, EDUC 692K) 
  • Conduct a mini action research project focusing on an issue, problem, or question of social justice (during social justice course)
  • Present a paper at a regional or national conference (scholarly or practitioner)
  • Submit a paper for publication to a peer-reviewed scholarly or practitioner journal
  • Gain relevant teaching experience, the form of which to be decided in consultation with your advisor
  • Serve as a research assistant or complete a research practicum. Gain relevant research experience (e.g., research assistant, research practicum, clinical experience) in consultation with your advisor
  • Complete all CITI training modules for human subjects research

Comprehensive Exams

The comprehensive/qualifying examination is the transition point at which doctoral students demonstrate their foundational knowledge, understanding, and scholarship relevant to their course of study. Falling after coursework and prior to the dissertation proposal, the comprehensive/qualifying examination is the doctoral student’s opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency in mathematics, science, & learning technologies' five competencies. The comprehensive/qualifying examination is comprised of an empirical research study centered on a specific problem in your field of study and an oral defense.

Dissertation

The dissertation is the final milestone at which doctoral students demonstrate their foundational knowledge, understanding and scholarship relevant to their course of study. Falling after coursework and comprehensive/qualifying examination, the dissertation is the doctoral student’s opportunity to demonstrate proficiency across MSLT’s five competencies.

Local Navigation Links

PhD in Math, Science & Learning Technologies
About the Program
Course of Study
Admissions

Site footer

College of Education
  • X
  • Find us on Facebook
  • Find us on YouTube
  • Find us on Instagram
Address

813 N Pleasant St
Amherst, MA 01003
United States

Info for

  • Current students
  • Prospective students

Academics

  • Be a Teacher
  • Programs

Apply

  • Apply
  • Undergraduate and 4+1
  • Graduate

The College

  • About the College
  • Faculty & Staff Directory
  • Giving and Support
  • Contact

Global footer

  • ©2025 University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Site policies
  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination notice
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of use