Programs in Learning and Instruction

Overview

The Department of Learning and Instruction offers exciting and unique programs at the credential masters, and doctoral levels:

The Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential Program (with a Masters Degree) prepares candidates to teach K-12 students with mild to moderate disabilities with a focus on urban, multicultural special education.

For more information on the Special Education Credential Program, Please visit: www.soe.usfca.edu/specialed

The Doctoral program in Learning and Instruction emphasizes theories of learning, teaching, and instruction which inform educational practices in a variety of settings. Graduates of the program apply their skills to deliver instruction, conduct research, evaluate programs, design curriculum, and solve learning-based problems.

For more information on the doctoral program, please visit:

www.soe.usfca.edu/lidoctoral

Both of these programs share the conviction that instructional decisions must be grounded in the best social science evidence available at the time. Thus, the overriding goal of both programs is to prepare our graduates to contribute to, and make use of, the ever-changing knowledge base in learning and instruction.

Please see Learning and Instruction Course Descriptions.

Credential and Masters Programs

The Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential Program is a two-year program designed to prepare special education teachers while they work full time as K-12 special education teachers. Graduates of the program receive a Clear Professional Level II Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate Disabilities.

The Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential Program focuses on training professionals to teach culturally and linguistically diverse students with mild to moderate disabilities in urban classrooms. Candidates are fully employed on a teacher's salary in Bay Area school districts while they receive training on the job. Instruction is aligned to school practice demands and delivered in modules of integrated instruction. The training features collaborative teaching between university professors and skilled practitioners in close collaboration with local school districts. Since this is a basic, stand-alone, K-12 credential in special education, applicants need a Baccalaureate Degree (B.A. or B.S.), a passing score on the CBEST test and, a passing score on the CSET Multiple Subjects Test (all 3 subsections) to apply to the program. Applicants also need to be interviewed by the Program Coordinator.

Applicants who hold a California Single or Multiple Subject Credential (within the past 7 years) must complete 31 units of coursework in special education. Applicants who do not hold one of these credentials must complete 37 units of coursework in general and special education.

The Master of Arts in Learning and Instruction requires the completion of the Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential Program plus the completion of a research methods course and a thesis/project under a faculty member's supervision (6 units). The requirements are as follows:

• TEC - 621 Multiple Subject Curriculum and Instruction: Early Literacy
• TEC - 613 Multiple Subject Curriculum and Instruction: Math & Science
• L&I - 665 Development of Legal and Educational Foundations for the Learning Specialist
• L&I - 636 Educational Practices for the Learning Specialist
• L&I - 633 Assessment in Special Education
• L&I - 631 Working with Students and Families in a Multicultural Society
• L&I - 637 Fieldwork Support Practicum I
• L&I - 659 Consultation and Collaboration
• L&I - 622 Instructional Uses of Technology for the Learning Specialist
• L&I - 640 Fieldwork Support Practicum II
• L&I - 675 Advanced Curriculum and Instruction
• L&I - 678 Supervised Teaching I
• TEC - 642 Health Education
• L&I - 676 Supportive Management
• L&I - 679 Supervised Teaching II
• L&I - 641 Research in Special Education
• L&I - 638 Master's Thesis

Doctoral Program

The Ed.D. program in Learning and Instruction consists of 60 units: 12 units in General Education, 30 units specializing in Learning and Instruction, 9 elective units, and 9 units devoted to proposal seminar, dissertation research, and dissertation writing.

In the first year of the program, students complete four courses: Psychological Foundations of Education, Applied Educational Statistics, Research Methods, and Cognitive Psychology. Students' work products from these classes allow students to prepare a qualifying portfolio. The portfolio is reviewed by the faculty and must be completed successfully in order to be admitted fully to the program. These four courses establish the foundation for future doctoral work.

Following a successful portfolio review, students plan a program of study in consultation with their advisor. Learning and Instruction courses generally focus on two substantive areas: (a) the learner, including topics such as human abilities, creativity, motivation, and the learning process, and (b) the instructional environments that support the learner, including areas such as models of teaching and performance assessment. In addition, students develop methodological expertise in research design, measurement, and data analysis.

Students are encouraged to organize their course work in an emphasis area. Optional emphasis areas include multicultural urban special education, research methodology, higher education, and learning leaders in allied health care. The emphasis in learning leaders in allied health care is a cross-disciplinary program offered within the Learning and Instruction Department in collaboration with the USF School of Nursing. The emphasis is suited for healthcare administrators, college educators, nurses, occupational and physical therapists, dental professionals, dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. Considerable flexibility is provided for the student and the advisor to design a program of study consistent with the student's intellectual and professional goals and interests including relevant course offerings in other departments in the School of Education.

Three courses provide support for successful completion of the dissertation. Co-taught by two faculty members, Proposal Seminar assists students in transforming their research ideas and topics into research problems. Dissertation Research and Dissertation Writing are taken under the direction of the Chairperson of the student's dissertation committee. For their dissertation, students conduct research studies in areas of their own professional interest.

The doctoral program prepares graduates to assume leadership roles within a variety of professions. Successful completion of the doctoral program opens future career opportunities and can provide entry to a new profession. Learning and Instruction alumni include college and university faculty, instructional designers, directors of training and development, school and health professionals, administrators, directors of educational technology, researchers, and consultants.

To learn more:

• Request Information
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