Learning sciences is an evolving field that examines teaching, learning and the impact of environmental factors on teaching and learning. Our interdisciplinary program prepares you to investigate how people learn in various environments by integrating elements from cognitive science, computer science, data science, education, psychology and statistics. As you advance in your journey as a learning scientist, you will learn how to assess, design and implement tailored education and training programs that adapt to diverse learners and specific contexts. This preparation empowers you to spearhead transformative changes in education and beyond, offering rich opportunities for careers in both academia and industry.
Degree Program
The Learning Sciences track within the PhD in Education offers a dynamic path for you to delve into the forefront of learning research and data analytics. Designed to prepare you for both academic and industry roles, this track integrates rigorous training in big data analytics and data science with a deep exploration of learning theories and methodologies. Pairing specialized coursework with flexible elective options, this program lets you tailor your studies to your specific interests and goals. The opportunity to earn a certificate can further distinguish you as an expert capable of driving change in interdisciplinary research settings.
You’ll also have opportunities to work with a range of faculty who are involved in the Learning Sciences Research Cluster. The Faculty Cluster Initiative is a collaborative UCF initiative that develops cutting-edge learning technologies, explores human-machine interactions, and integrates multidisciplinary insights to optimize learning in various environments.
The Learning Sciences track equips you with the expertise to leverage insights from educational data, advancing the understanding and application of learning principles in diverse contexts. Whether your ambition lies in academia, educational technology or elsewhere, this track prepares you to contribute meaningfully to transform education.
Learning Sciences Alumni Spotlight: Elizabeth Cloude
Elizabeth Cloude
“The faculty and interdisciplinary training I received at UCF played a pivotal role in my research path,” says Elizabeth Cloude ’21 PhD, the first graduate of the Learning Sciences doctoral program. Her dissertation, supervised by Roger Azevedo, explored self-regulated learning processes using multimodal learning analytics across diverse digital educational platforms.
“The faculty at UCF are excellent,” Cloude says. “This program really supports interdisciplinary research and collaboration across different departments. It also provided teaching assistantship and guest lectures opportunities, which was really helpful for getting exposure to teaching graduate-level courses.”
Cloude's journey continued at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was a postdoctoral fellow within the Penn Center for Learning Analytics. Now, she is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral fellow at Tampere University in Finland, focusing on building adaptive learning systems that support individual learning needs using multimodal data. Starting 2025, she will join the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education as a tenure-track assistant professor at Michigan State University.
