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The Special Education, Master of Arts program focuses on diverse learner needs. The program is designed for educators who wish to focus on special º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù. An M.A. in the special º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù field assists educators with research and will incorporate the thesis option. Three hours of written examinations are required.

The Special Education, Ph.D. is the highest level of mastery UMD offers for those invested in working with learners with disabilities. This program prepares graduates for leadership in the special º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù field and advances their expertise. Students accepted into the Ph.D. program are prepared to assume faculty positions at research universities or leadership positions in state and local º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù agencies, policy organizations, or the federal government. This program does include a dissertation.

This highly ranked Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Education Policy and Leadership Specialization, Master of Arts (M.A.) program is designed to address the intersection of º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù policy, practice and societal impact. As schools play a pivotal role in shaping communities and fostering social change, understanding and influencing º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù policy becomes increasingly essential. The curriculum provides in-depth knowledge, research skills, and professional competencies necessary to navigate and address the complex challenges facing º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù systems today.

The Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Education Policy and Leadership Specialization, Ph.D. program is designed for people aspiring to lead and influence º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëùal policy and practice. It addresses critical issues in º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù by integrating diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives from the social sciences and humanities. Students engage in rigorous research and enrichment experiences to develop policies that promote equity and effectiveness in º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëùal institutions. Ideal for aspiring º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù policy makers, analysts, curriculum specialists, and advocates, the program equips students with the skills to critically analyze and influence º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù systems.

The Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Language, Literacy, and Social Inquiry Specialization, Ph.D. program is focused on the study of language and literacy learning in pre-kindergarten through high school. Our program offers two areas of focus, Applied Linguistics and Language Education, and Literacy Education, that will prepare you for roles as researchers, curriculum specialists, teacher educators and º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëùal leaders. Students have research interests ranging from bi/multilingualism, bilingual/dual language º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù and code switching to culturally responsive approaches to elementary reading instruction, research comprehension strategies and vocabulary for literacy learning.

Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Mathematics and Science Education Specialization, Master of Arts (M.A.) has been designed for a world that increasingly relies on STEM fields to drive innovation and solve global challenges. With the need for skilled math and science educators more pressing than ever, this highly ranked program is designed for educators aiming to deepen their expertise in math and science º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù. Students engage in rigorous research, coursework, and professional development, focusing on topics such as quantitative research methods, trends in º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù, and subject-specific content knowledge. To accommodate working students, our courses meet once per week, in the late afternoon/early evening.

With a doctoral degree in Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership with a specialization in Mathematics and Science Education, you will advance your science and math knowledge through theory, research and practice. Our program blends traditional and cutting-edge research that will help you gain knowledge and skills in policy, leadership, law, economics, and research necessary to transform schools and systems for the greater good.

The Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Teacher Education and Professional Development Specialization, Master of Arts (M.A.) has been designed for this era of rapid change, in which the need for skilled, innovative educators has never been greater. Students in today’s classrooms deserve an º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù that is not only fair and equitable but also empowering and transformative. This program focuses on cultivating educators who can meet the demands of today’s classrooms, schools, and communities. Students investigate various teacher preparation strategies, the relationship between teacher growth and student achievement, and the broader socio-political factors affecting º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù. The program also emphasizes culturally responsive teaching and equips educators to effectively support multilingual learners and students with special needs.

In our Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Professional Development program, you will engage in advanced studies on how teachers learn to teach and develop throughout their careers. Great schools have great teachers, and with the urgent need for highly qualified teachers, initial teacher preparation and ongoing professional development are essential in the º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù field. Our integrated coursework and research create an academic experience tailored to your interests and needs. You will examine and learn to apply equity- and justice-oriented methodologies, frameworks, and practices to explore questions about diverse classrooms and schools.

The Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning, Policy, and Leadership with a specialization in Technology, Learning, and Leadership is a cross-disciplinary program that prepares students to become scholars and leaders in learning technologies. Through a mix of core technology courses and discipline-based electives, they explore the impact of technology on º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù and innovate in research, teaching, assessment, and design. Students also learn from and collaborate with faculty who are experts in computational thinking, virtual worlds for learning, AI in º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù, computer science and data science º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù, digital literacy, design methodologies, learning science and online learning. As they are guided through cutting-edge research, students prepare to excel in universities, learning environments and policy organizations.

The Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Technology, Learning, and Leadership Specialization, Master of Arts (M.A) program equips students to integrate new and emerging technologies into their classrooms in effective, engaging and equitable ways. The specialization helps develop students' abilities to identify and evaluate technologies and communicate how, when, and where they can be integrated into º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëùal contexts. The interdisciplinary program weaves together students' diverse interests like technology, learning theory, pedagogy and policy into one all encompassing degree.

The Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Urban Education Specialization, Master of Arts (M.A.) assembles a team of faculty, staff, and students focused on the shared mission of improving opportunities and equity for children whose lives are marginalized at the intersection of race, linguistic diversity, gender, ethnicity, and social class. Students are encouraged to examine º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù through an intersectional lens of these marginalized groups and enhance the gaps that perpetuate harmful practices.

The Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership with a specialization in Urban Education will develop you as an equity-minded and culturally responsive researcher and educator. You will gain a deeper understanding of the social, economic, historical and political contexts of urban schools and communities. Our courses explore the challenges facing urban school districts and address the complex issues experienced by ethnic, racial, cultural and linguistic minorities in urban schools. You will join a community of faculty, staff and students who are committed to advancing º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù equity and ensuring student success for all.

The highly ranked Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Language, Literacy, and Social Inquiry Specialization, Master of Arts (M.A.) program addresses crucial issues in º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù by focusing on the interdisciplinary study of language, literacy and social contexts. With three possible focus areas, the program can be highly specialized. Students explore how language and literacy can empower individuals, promote social justice and improve º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëùal outcomes. Through research and practical application, students develop a deep understanding of how to use literacy to transform lives and foster inclusion.