Learning and Instruction

The Department of Learning and Instruction offers exciting and unique programs at the master’s/credential and doctoral levels.

The Master’s Degree in Special Education with a Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential program prepares candidates to teach K-12 students with mild to moderate disabilities with a focus on urban, multicultural special education.

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.

All 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 is to prepare our graduates to contribute to, and make use of, the ever-changing knowledge base in learning and instruction.

Credential and Masters Program

The Master’s Degree in Special Education with a Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential program is designed to prepare interns for special education careers in diverse, urban schools. In this two-year cohort program, candidates can earn Preliminary Teaching Credentials and Master’s Degrees while working as paid intern teachers in Bay area schools.

The Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential authorizes graduates to work in a wide variety of positions. They can be employed in public and private K-12 schools as special day class teachers or as resource and inclusion specialists. With the credential and master’s degree, graduates can be employed at California community colleges as Special Education Learning Specialists.

Doctoral Programs

Within the Department of Learning and Instruction (L&I) there are two doctoral degree options: Ed.D. in Learning and Instruction and an Ed.D. in Special Education. Two doctoral programs housed in the same department allows students to integrate coursework and to collaborate with peers and faculty from related fields.

THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN LEARNING AND INSTRUCTION

The Ed.D. in Learning and Instruction program provides working professionals with the research skills and core content to make use of and contribute to the knowledge base in learning and instruction. Using the latest technology to assist in instructional delivery and support, coursework is offered in learners and learning, instructional settings, research skills, and special education. There is also an option to obtain either a Concentration in Special Education or a Concentration in Digital Media and Learning (9 credits).

The doctoral program consists of 60 credit hours of study beyond the master’s degree and culminates in the completion of a doctoral dissertation. Students will complete 60 credits of doctoral coursework that satisfy the following requirements: Foundation Core (12 credits), L&I Electives (15 credits), Advanced Research Core (12 credits), Elective courses (12 credits), and Dissertation Core (9 credits).

THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

The Ed.D. in Special Education includes coursework and practicum experiences that develop the competencies to be successful university faculty and researchers. The competencies are aligned along three professional domains: Pedagogy for personnel preparation, research methodology, and school consultation and collaboration.

The program consists of 60 credit hours of study beyond the master’s degree and culminates in the completion of a doctoral dissertation. Students will complete 60 credits of doctoral coursework that satisfy the following requirements: Foundation Core (12 credits), Special Education Core (12 credits), Special Education Apprenticeship (3 credits), Advanced Research Core (12 credits), Core Elective courses (6 credits), and Dissertation Core (9 credits).

Programs

Graduate Majors

Graduate Minors

Certificates

Educational Technology Certificate