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Director's message

Learning sciences is an interdisciplinary field of study that explores the processes and mechanisms underlying learning, with a focus on understanding how individuals acquire, organize, and apply knowledge. By integrating insights from psychology, education, cognitive science, sociology, and technology, the field of learning sciences investigates the interplay among learners, teachers, instructional methods, and the socio-cultural context in which learning and teaching occur. Researchers in this field aim to identify effective learning strategies, optimize educational environments, and enhance the design of educational technologies. By examining the cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions of learning, learning sciences seeks to advance understanding of how people learn and how this knowledge can be leveraged to improve educational practices and outcomes. Read more... The ɬÀï·¬ Learning Sciences program emphasizes four core and interrelated areas: Science of learning and instruction Self-regulation, motivation and emotion Educational technology Applied methods and data science Read more... Under the general rubric of Educational Psychology, we offer three degrees with a Learning Sciences concentration: M.Ed., M.A., and Ph.D. Our programs attract students from a wide variety of educational backgrounds, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in Science (e.g., Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, etc.), Education, Arts (Sociology, Psychology, etc.) and Engineering.Ìý Read more about our research labs: eMUIS Lab Our programs aim to foster theoretical, methodological, and practical knowledge, complementary skills, and professional competencies through coursework, mentoring and supervision, project and thesis development, apprenticeships in research labs and industry, teaching assistantships, and dissemination of research.Ìý Read more... Read about the distinguishing features of our Learning Sciences programs, our research labs, the exciting research projects that our faculty are engaged in, and funding opportunities. And if you still have questions about our programs, please contact me. Krista Muis krista.muis [at] mcgill.ca Graduate Program Director

Dr. Krista Muis Program Director

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Coursework

Visit the program's Course Catalogue listings page for links to current course offerings and degree-specific timetables:

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Research

Please visit the Learning Sciences Faculty page and the main ECP Research page to view websites of professors and research teams associated with the Learning Sciences program. Follow the links to individual research websites to learn more about specific research projects, graduate students involved in these projects, research and other apprenticeship opportunities, and funding. On the Research page, you will also find links to ECP faculty publications and full-text theses.

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Distinguishing features of our programs

Programs at both the master's and doctoral level have several distinguishing features.

Emphasis on cognition, affectÌýand motivation

Content courses offer in-depth views on the learning and teaching processes and mediating factors. Examples include motivation, emotions, self-regulation, epistemic cognition, and conceptual change.

Emphasis on learning and instruction in different contexts

Programs offer the opportunity to study learning and teaching as they happen throughout the lifespan, in formal, informal, traditional, non-traditional, and technology-based environments. Examples include schools and postsecondary institutions, the workplace, and hospitals.

Emphasis on both research and application

The M.A. and Ph.D. programs place strong emphasis on research methodology, the appropriate use of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodologies, as well as on the application of research to improving the learning experiences. Examples include design experiments, experimental research, and quasi-experimental research.
The M.Ed. program emphasizes the applied aspect of the Learning Sciences field, focusing on the ability to critically evaluate research findings and translate relevant insights into actions, including the design, development, and evaluation of learning and instruction in educational, professional, and informal contexts.

Across all programs, graduate students can engage with educational technology from both research and applied perspectives—designing and studying digital tools, evaluating how technology shapes learning and motivation, and applying data-driven methods to solve real-world educational challenges across diverse contexts.

Emphasis on interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research

Through participation in team-based research apprenticeships, brown-bag talks, and, where possible, exchange programs and industry based-internships, students are exposed to the potential contribution of the Learning Sciences to fostering effective learning.Ìý Ongoing interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research and development programs initiated by faculty members, and students from professional disciplines who are obtaining a master’s or doctoral degree, provide a rich and unique exposure and training opportunity for graduate students.Ìý Areas with a history of collaboration include medicine and other health professions programs, engineering, physics, law, management, and social work.

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The Master’s and Doctoral programs in the Learning Sciences offer stimulating environments for developing competent professionals who can conduct applied and theoretical research—from conceptualization to publication—in a variety of settings.

Through coursework; mentoring; apprenticeship in research labs; assignments and examinations; thesis, dissertation and other research projects; and professional socialization, graduates develop competencies in four areas:

Content Knowledge

• Foundational knowledge of educational psychology and the learning sciences
• Knowledge of major educational issues and trends
• In-depth knowledge of theories in the chosen research area

Read more…

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Methodological Knowledge

• Intermediate knowledge of the design of learning environments
• Intermediate research design
• Intermediate quantitative statistical methods
• Intermediate qualitative/mixed methods
• In-depth knowledge of methodologies used in the chosen research area

Read more…

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Complementary Skills

• Critical thinking
• Ability to analyze and synthesize
• Ability to communicate effectively in English

Read more…

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Professional Competencies

• Ability to design and teach a course
• Ability to review papers and provide constructive feedback
• Ability to make effective professional presentations
• ParticipationÌýin and contributionÌýto professional communities
• Ability to present and publish research
• A clear understanding of and a commitment to the ethical conduct of research

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Graduate Outcomes:

What You’ll Gain in Our Learning Sciences Graduate Program:

• Build Deep Expertise in Learning and Instruction
• Explore How People Learn—and Apply That Knowledge Everywhere. In our program, you will develop a strong foundation in the cognitive, motivational, and socio-cultural aspects of learning and instruction. You will explore how major theoretical, historical, and epistemological perspectives have shaped educational practices across time and contexts. Through this lens, you will gain familiarity with key thinkers and the empirical research that drives innovation in learning design.
• Understand the Science Behind Lifelong Learning. You will also delve into the foundations of the Learning Sciences and Educational Psychology, exploring how people learn in both formal and informal settings. You will examine what mediates learning across the lifespan—whether it is motivation, environment, or technology.
• Harness the Power of Data and Design. If you pursue our data science stream, you will gain hands-on skills in data analytics and machine learning using real-world, large-scale educational data. You will learn to integrate UX design principles and coding to create intuitive, user-centered tools supported by usability testing and visual analytics.
• Design for Impact, Grounded in Research. Whether you design a digital learning tool or a classroom-based intervention, you will learn to apply your theoretical and empirical expertise to build environments that support meaningful learning. By the time you complete your master’s or doctoral thesis, you will have deep expertise in your chosen theoretical framework and the skills to advance the field through rigorous, original research.
• Master the Tools of Educational Research (formerly knowledge of research methods and application)
• Understand the Philosophical Foundations of Inquiry. You will develop a deep understanding of the philosophical and epistemological foundations of educational research—including post-positivist, constructivist, interpretivist, and transformative paradigms. You will learn how these worldviews shape everything from the questions researchers ask to the methods they use, and to the way they interpret data.
• Design Research with Precision and Purpose. You will explore a comprehensive array of research approaches—ranging from experimental and quasi-experimental designs to case study, correlational, and descriptive methods. You will also gain fluency in qualitative methodologies such as ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, and narrative inquiry. Along the way, you will master the foundational concepts of variables, hypothesis testing, sampling strategies, and data alignment.
• Ask Better Questions and Choose the Right Tools. Beyond technical competence, you will learn to formulate powerful, paradigm-aligned research questions and design studies that integrate appropriate methods—quantitative, qualitative, or mixed. You will build expertise in selecting and justifying constructs, participant groups, and data sources. In qualitative contexts, you will learn how to create strong interview protocols, craft field observation strategies, and design coding frameworks for analyzing qualitative data.
• Critically Evaluate and Conduct Rigorous Research. You will engage deeply with core quality criteria: validity, reliability, credibility, and trustworthiness. Through this, you will learn how to evaluate both your own research and the work of others across methodological traditions. You will also reflect on your role as a researcher, developing reflexivity and a strong sense of positionality—particularly important in qualitative and transformative paradigms.
• Graduate Ready to Contribute Knowledge, Not Just Consume It. This foundation prepares you to lead educational research—not just as a competent technician, but as an ethical, thoughtful, and innovative scholar. You will be equipped to navigate complexity, design with integrity, and tackle research problems that matter.
• Practice Research Through Mentorship and Real-World Application. Through hands-on coursework and faculty mentorship, you will gain direct experience analyzing complex datasets, interpreting findings, and engaging with peer-reviewed literature. You will also develop a clear understanding of research ethics and professional conduct, preparing you to lead impactful projects with care and confidence.
• Develop Versatile Academic and Professional Skills (complementary skills section)
• Beyond core research and content knowledge, you will build a toolkit of transferable academic skills:
• Research Literacy: Develop fluency in conducting comprehensive literature searches using major academic databases and other scholarly sources.
• Critical Thinking: Sharpen your ability to analyze, synthesize, and critique academic work across diverse research traditions.
• Academic Writing: Learn to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively—whether crafting a literature review, grant proposal, or peer-reviewed manuscript. Master APA style and adapt to journal-specific writing conventions.

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Careers:

Our Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Learning Sciences and Educational Psychology are designed for students who wish to contribute to the advancement of knowledge at the intersection of learning, development, and technology. These research-intensive programs provide rigorous training in theory, methodology, and design, preparing graduates to lead cutting-edge investigations into how people learn across diverse educational and sociocultural contexts.

Graduates of the M.A. program typically pursue careers that bridge research and practice. Many go on to work as research coordinators, learning experience designers, education specialists in non-profits or government, or analysts in education-focused think tanks and research organizations. They are equipped to translate complex findings into practical recommendations and to contribute to evidence-based program development, particularly in environments that leverage digital tools to improve learning outcomes.

Graduates of the Ph.D. program are prepared for leadership roles in academic, research, and innovation settings. Many take up tenure-track or research faculty positions in universities or research institutes, while others lead R&D initiatives in educational technology companies, government agencies, international NGOs, and policy organizations. With deep expertise in learning theory, design-based research, learning analytics, and the development and evaluation of educational technologies, they are positioned to shape the future of learning across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning sectors.

In summary, our M.A. and Ph.D. programs prepare graduates for impactful careers as scholars, designers, and applied researchers who drive innovation in education—whether by creating new knowledge, building transformative learning technologies, or informing policy and practice through rigorous, interdisciplinary inquiry.

Graduate Ready to Lead and Innovate

By the end of your journey with us, you will be prepared not only to advance knowledge in the learning sciences, but to also transform learning environments in schools, universities, and beyond.