Photo of student and faculty discussing ideas in the Advanced Learning Technologies Lab.

Mathematics, Science & Learning Technologies PhD

Learn More about New TLCS PhD/EdS program

Interested in Teacher Education & School Improvement, as of July 2026 see the new expanded EdS and PhD program in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Studies. Contact TLCS [at] umass [dot] edu (TLCS[at]umass[dot]edu) for more information.

The Mathematics, Science, & Learning Technologies (MSLT) doctoral program is a research-based program culminating in a PhD. Students specialize in mathematics education, science education, or learning technologies. 

Graduates of the MSLT doctoral concentration will demonstrate excellence in their content area, teaching, research, and scholarship that reflects critical examination of past and current theories and work, an engagement in new inquiry, and an active involvement in the ongoing work of mathematics education, science education, and learning technology. Through coursework, practical experiences, assessments, comprehensive examination and dissertation work, graduates will demonstrate excellence in the following key areas:

  • Content knowledge and/or content knowledge for teaching
  • Understanding of social justice issues
  • Becoming a skillful and creative educational researcher
  • Understanding of foundational theories and works
  • Growing as a professional

Featured class

Education 738
Survey of Math and Science Education Research

Nature of understanding and sense making in science and mathematics, various theories of learning, process vs. content goals, social vs. cognitive views of learning, and inquiry vs. directed teaching methods.