Learning Sciences Certificate in Instructional Design, Learning Technologies, and Education Research

The Learning Sciences Certificate in Instructional Design, Learning Technologies, and Education Research prepares students for careers involving education design and research. This program is designed to meet the needs of both doctoral and professional master’s students in Berkeley’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) departments and in its professional schools.

Students who complete the certificate will be prepared to:

  • Design courses for undergraduates and graduate students
  • Use learning sciences research in design, implementation, and assessment of educational programs
  • Use and refine learning technologies, including online courses, learning management systems, interactive models and simulations, and educational games
  • Succeed in K-12 settings; undergraduate, graduate, and research institutions; out-of-school settings; non-profits, education startups, and industries that develop technical training and novel approaches to learning
  • Meet the needs of students with varied cultural, educational, and personal experiences, including emergent bilinguals, underrepresented minorities, and students new to technology.

Eligibility

The SESAME Certificate program is open to students who are enrolled in a graduate degree program at UC Berkeley. Applicants must be in good academic standing.

Additional program criterion

Students should have taken or concurrently enroll in an educational statistics or methodology course (covering at least the content of Stat 2, Introductory Statistics). Prior completion of an undergraduate, graduate, or online statistics course will satisfy this requirement. Participating in a Graduate School of Education research group that emphasizes analysis of educational data will satisfy the requirement (applicants should include a letter from the instructor describing how it meets the requirement). Taking one methods-centric, project-based course to meet the certificate requirements, such as EDUC 274 (Wilson), will also satisfy this requirement.

 To apply to the SESAME Certificate program, see the application web page.

Certificate Requirements

Synthesis course

Offered every Fall semester, SCMATHE 210A is a four-unit course required for the Learning Sciences Certificate. This Practicum in Science and Math Education Research and Development provides an overview of the learning sciences, using the relevant literature to examine its conceptual basis, research foundations, and investigative methods.

Project oriented courses

Two or more project-oriented courses are required. These courses support students in learning and applying the theories, principles, and methods of the learning sciences to complex pedagogical challenges. See the descriptions of project oriented courses that fulfill the SESAME certificate requirements.

Apply Now

To apply to the Learning Sciences Certificate program, send an email to Lloyd Goldwasser (goldwasser@berkeley.edu) with the following information.

  • Your name, email address, SID, and degree program
  • A brief description of your interests and experience in education
  • Are you a currently registered graduate student at UC Berkeley in good standing?

(Good academic standing for graduate students at UC Berkeley means a GPA of 3.0 or above and meeting any other requirements of your home department or degree program for good standing. Your department may have higher standards than the 3.0 minimum set by the Graduate Division. If you are not sure whether you are in good academic standing, consult your adviser.)

  • Your background in statistics

(You should have taken or concurrently enroll in an educational statistics or methodology course covering at least the content of Stat 2, Introductory Statistics. Prior completion of an undergraduate, graduate, or online statistics course will satisfy this requirement. Participating in a research group that emphasizes analysis of educational data will satisfy the requirement; you should include a letter from the instructor describing how it meets the requirement. Taking one methods-centric, project-based course, such as EDUC 274 (Wilson), will also satisfy the certificate requirement.)

  • Of the courses that fulfill a requirement for this certificate, please list:
    • courses you’ve already taken
    • courses you’re currently taking
    • courses you plan to take and the semester you plan to take them
  • Expected date of graduation
  • Any additional information relevant to your enrollment or participation in this program

FAQ

See our FAQs for further information about the SESAME Certificate program.

Program Support

SESAME Chair: Marcia Linn

Coordinator: Lloyd Goldwasser, goldwasser@berkeley.edu

Assistant: Susie Hill, susie_hill@berkeley.edu