Doctoral Programs
Technology, Learning, and Leadership, Ph.D
The Technology, Learning, and Leadership specialization is designed to prepare students to become scholars and leaders in the study and design of learning technologies. This specialization is truly cross-disciplinary, drawing together students with diverse interests in teaching and learning, policy and leadership, but who share a focus on exploring the impact of technology on education. Graduates will be prepared to develop innovations in research, teaching, assessment, and leadership through the use, design, and understanding of learning technologies. They will be qualified to conduct research, teach and be leaders in diverse settings, including universities, formal and informal learning environments, and policy organizations. Students design a program with their advisor that incorporates a core cluster of technology-focused courses, in addition to discipline-based courses drawn from other specializations within the department. Students can choose to concentrate on learning to design technology environments, learning to critically evaluate their impact on education, or some combination. Faculty members who are affiliated with this specialization have research interests and expertise in virtual worlds for learning, design methodologies, learning sciences, and online learning. Faculty members situate their work in a variety of fields including science education, young people’s identity development, and education policy and evaluation.
Mathematics and Science Education, Ph.D
The Mathematics and Science Education specialization prepares researchers and transformative practitioners in K-16 mathematics and science education. Students in this program gain a deep understanding of classic and current research in mathematics and science education, theories of individual and social cognition, teacher education and professional development, and research methods commonly used by mathematics and science education researchers, all with an emphasis on the connections among theory, research, and practice. Students also develop their own abilities as mathematical and scientific thinkers. All students take a set of common courses addressing teaching, learning, policy, and teacher preparation in mathematics and science, as well as more specialized courses addressing mathematics or science education separately. Students also have opportunities to take science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) policy and leadership courses. The specialization takes advantage of the University of Maryland’s location in a high-needs urban school district near Washington, DC. Faculty in this program have connections to local schools that enable students to get involved with research and teacher professional development focused on the needs of urban schools.