30
Credit Hours
Master of Education in Learning Sciences and Human Development
Miami University’s Masters of Education (M.Ed.) in Learning Sciences and Human Development provides students with innovative interdisciplinary training focused on applying principles of human learning and development in real-world contexts. Students will be competitive candidates for careers in educational disciplines such as research, policy, and programming and design throughout various public and private employment sectors.
Quick Facts
12-24 Months
Full-Time Program Study
Start Terms
Fall and Spring
$650
Per Credit Hour
Customize Your Degree
The field of learning sciences and human development continues to expand, from schools and government agencies to private research centers and community-based organizations. With this in mind, our program allows you to customize your course of study to align with your unique goals, whether you’re a licensed educator looking to sharpen your teaching practice or a family and child development professional seeking new opportunities in an educational environment.
Most full-time students complete the 30-credit-hour program within 12-24 months, while part-time learners typically take two to three years to finish. This flexibility allows you to balance professional commitments while advancing your career.
Inclusive Cultural Experiences
Miami’s master’s in Learning Sciences and Human Development program has a long-standing commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for students from all backgrounds. Our international students have many opportunities to engage with U.S. culture through on-campus activities, conferences, and travel. This cross-cultural experience allows students to meet peers and other professionals from diverse backgrounds, exchanging ideas and perspectives that enhance personal and academic growth.
Master of Education in Learning Sciences and Human Development Curriculum
Throughout the program, you’ll apply principles in learning sciences and educational psychology to real-world contexts by participating in workshops, research, and hands-on learning experiences. This skill set allows you to assess educational outcomes and drive change in schools, research institutions, or even corporate environments.
Our curriculum combines core courses in learning sciences and human development with electives that fit your professional interests. Classes take place on the Oxford, Ohio campus with some course options available online.
Graduates of the Learning Sciences and Human Development master’s degree program will:
- Evaluate concepts of learning sciences and educational psychology and apply theoretical ideas to educational and social cases.
- Collect and describe data collected from a practicing educator on educational psychology theories relevant to classroom practice.
- Design a study to investigate a question related to educational psychology research, including literature review, methodology, and protection of human subjects' issues.
- Conduct the planned research study, prepare a report, and orally present study findings and conclusions to a committee.
4+1 Combined B.S./M.Ed.
Miami University undergraduate psychology majors and students with minors in Family Relationships or Child Studies and Youth Development can accelerate their education through our combined B.S./M.Ed. 4+1 program. Eligible juniors may begin taking graduate courses during their senior year, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. This opportunity is also available to other select undergraduate programs.
View Program RequirementsAdmission and Tuition Information
Application Requirements
To apply for the M.Ed. in Learning Sciences and Human Development degree program, you must submit:
- Graduate School application and $50 application fee
- Transcripts from all universities and colleges attended
- Two letters of recommendation
- A brief essay on a topic pertinent to your professional reasons for pursuing a Learning Sciences and Human Development master’s degree
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
Cost and Aid
Miami's Learning Science and Human Development master's program offers a fixed-rate tuition set below the university’s standard tuition price. Enrolling Ohio residents and non-residents alike pay a discounted tuition rate of $650.
Engage in Research Opportunities
Student Research
Research is at the core of our master’s in learning sciences and human development program. Students collaborate with faculty on research studies and regularly present their work at regional, national, and international conferences. Recent student research topics include:
- A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Preschool Children’s Play and Creativity
- Parental Self-Efficacy Among Mothers of Typically Developing Children and Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Parents’ and Children’s Perceptions of Video Game Play and Relationship to ERP Brain Wave Patterns
- The Effects of Instructional Dance Fitness on Cognition in Middle-Aged to Older Adults
- Validation of the Veracity Subscale of the CPA Self-Perception Scale With Middle School Students
Faculty Research
William Boone's research concerns the application of Rasch measurement techniques in the fields of education, medicine, and market research, particularly how to use Rasch measurement to develop robust tests and surveys.
Boone is frequently asked to work with colleagues worldwide about Rasch measurement. In 2015, Boone received the Distinguished Scholar Award for sustained excellence in research.
Kevin Bush’s research focuses on child development (e.g., academic achievement, self-efficacy, etc.) in the contexts of family, schools, communities, and culture. He teaches courses in human development, learning, program evaluation, research methods, and advanced writing. Bush received the Distinguished Scholar Award for sustained excellence in research in 2018, and in 2024 he received the Richard T. Delp Outstanding Faculty Award.
Darrel Davis’s academic research is focused on concepts at the intersection of play, technology and human learning and development. He also conducts research examining online teaching and learning and the use of technology in diverse educational settings.
Davis has designed and taught numerous face-to-face, online, and hybrid courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. He has facilitated many study abroad programs to Honduras and Belize and he is the coach of the Miami men's club soccer team.
Aimin Wang teaches a variety of courses in the Department of Educational Psychology, including research methodology, statistics, and measurement and evaluation. His research interests are program evaluation, children's socialization, and cross-cultural studies. His publications cover intercultural human development, cognition, and learning among children and adolescents.
My education experience at Miami University helps me to become a competitive applicant for doctoral programs, because I gained many research opportunities and solid knowledge from Miami.
Angel Wu, '23
Further Your Education With a Doctoral Degree
The program also prepares students for advanced degrees in learning sciences, educational psychology, school psychology, counseling, social work, instructional design, human-computer interaction, law, business, data sciences, and psychology.
Many graduates choose to continue their academic journey by pursuing doctoral degrees, eventually becoming college professors or leading researchers. Our alumni have gone on to earn doctoral degrees at:
- Columbia University
- Florida State University
- Penn State University
- Texas A&M University
- The University of Arizona
- University of Alabama
- University of Georgia
- University of Houston
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- University of Missouri
- University of North Carolina-Greensboro
- University of South Carolina
- University of Tennessee
Careers With a Human Development Master’s Degree
Miami’s master’s in Learning Sciences and Human Development program prepares you for a wide range of impactful careers. With this degree, you can pursue roles in educational research, educational policy, educational programming and design, educational publishing, operations research, and assessment and evaluation. Graduates find employment in various government, business, health care, and nonprofit sectors.
Redefine Student Learning and Development
Miami University’s M.Ed. in Learning Sciences and Human Development program prepares you to enhance learning outcomes and improve educational programs by applying principles from courses related to learning sciences and human development. Address real challenges in schools, research settings, and other academic environments — start your application today.
Contact Us
Department of Educational Psychology
201 McGuffey Hall
Oxford, OH 45056
