The Master of Arts in Applied Learning and Instruction program is designed for students from diverse academic majors who have an interest in the application of psychological theories and research to improve learning, instruction, and training in a variety of instructional contexts.
Graduates of the program are prepared for a wide range of professional education, government, and industry positions, and for conducting activities such as instruction, training, evaluation, and consulting.
Students can tailor the program to meet their needs and interests by choosing among a large variety of courses for their concentration, including courses in teaching, instructional design, program evaluation, and psychological foundations. Courses are available in mixed mode (M) or fully online (W). The degree can be completed in the fully online mode.
Specialization and core courses are offered in the areas of the psychology of teaching and learning, motivation, human development, measurement, and research methodology. Both a thesis and a non-thesis option are available. All non-thesis students will be required to complete a comprehensive examination before completing the program.
Applications are accepted only for Fall admission. There are no Spring or Summer applicants accepted.
The Applied Learning and Instruction MA (ALIMA) program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree including 15 credit hours of core courses, 12 credit hours of specialization, and 6 credit hours of a research component. The research component can be completed by choosing the thesis or nonthesis option, which requires a 6-credit hour Capstone research course. The program of study can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each student. The degree program can be completed in mixed mode (M) or fully online (W) formats.
Total Credit Hours Required: 33 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Please note: The Applied Learning and Instruction (MA) may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.
International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit UCF Global. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at 407-823-2337.
UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
27 Total Credits
Core
15 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- EDF6481 - Fundamentals of Graduate Research in Education (3)
- EDP6213 - Seminar in Applied Learning and Instruction I (3)
- EDP6217 - Seminar in Applied Learning and Instruction II (3)
- EDF6216 - Motivation in Learning and Performance (3)
- EDF6155 - Lifespan Human Development and Learning (3)
Specialization (See Program Details For Further Information)
12 Total Credits
- Earn at least 12 credits from the following:
- DEP5057 - Developmental Psychology (3)
- EDF6259 - Learning Theories Applied to Leadership in Teaching Practice (3)
- EDF6141 - Human Intelligence (3)
- SPS6225 - Behavioral and Observational Analysis of Classroom Interactions in Schools (3)
- SPS6700 - Advanced Psychoeducation and Data-Based Decision Making (3)
- EGC6431 - Guiding Human Relationships I (3)
- EGC6432 - Guiding Human Relationships II (3)
- INP6317 - Work Motivation and Job Attitudes (3)
- PSY6216C - Research Methodology (4)
- MAN6245 - Organizational Behavior and Development (3)
- MAN6285 - Change Management (3)
- EME6607 - Planned Change in Instructional Technology (3)
- EME6602 - Integration of Technology into the Learning Environments (3)
- EME6601 - Instructional Simulation Design for Training and Education (3)
- EME6457 - Distance Education: Technology Process Product (3)
- EME6613 - Instructional System Design (3)
- EME6405 - Adapting and Integrating Innovative Technologies in Education (3)
- EME6614 - Instructional Game Design for Training and Education (3)
- EME6705 - Administration of Instructional Systems (3)
- EME6055 - Current Trends in Instructional Technology (3)
- EDF6237 - Principles of Learning and Introduction to Classroom Assessment (3)
- EDF6727 - Critical Analysis of Social, Ethical, Legal, and Safety Issues Related to Education (3)
- EDG6415 - Principles of Instruction and Classroom Management (3)
- EDF6233 - Introduction to Action Research and Analysis of Classroom Practice (3)
- ESE6217 - Curriculum Design (3)
- EME5053 - Electronic Resources for Education (3)
- EDF6401 - Statistics for Educational Data (3)
- EDF6432 - Measurement and Evaluation in Education (3)
- EDG6285 - Evaluation of School Programs (3)
- ESE6416 - Curriculum Evaluation (3)
Thesis/Nonthesis Option
6 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
Thesis Option- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: EDF 6971 - Thesis See "Program Details" section below for more information
Nonthesis Option- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: EDP 6936 - Capstone in Applied Learning and Instruction Six credit hours of Capstone coursework is required to give the student a foundation in conducting research.
Grand Total Credits: 33
Application Requirements
Application Deadlines
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
SpecializationStudents have the choice of taking specialization courses in multiple areas. Specialization courses may be taken within one specialization, or from multiple specializations. The purpose of this choice is to provide course offerings which appeal to student interest, but concurrently facilitate depth of knowledge in a particular discipline.
The student and program director determine a course of study to meet the student's needs while simultaneously developing core knowledge in a specific area. In addition, the program director may approve courses taken as part of a UCF certificate program for this area of the MA (up to 12 credit hours). The adviser must approve all specialization courses, not listed below.
Other electives to be determined by adviser with program approval.
- DEP 5057 - Developmental Psychology 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 6259 - Learning Theories Applied to Leadership in Teaching Practice 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 6141 - Human Intelligence 3 Credit Hours
- SPS 6225 - Behavioral and Observational Analysis of Classroom Interactions in Schools 3 Credit Hours
- SPS 6700 - Advanced Psychoeducation and Data-Based Decision Making 3 Credit Hours
- EGC 6431 - Guiding Human Relationships I 3 Credit Hours
- EGC 6432 - Guiding Human Relationships II 3 Credit Hours
Business/TrainingOther electives to be determined by adviser with program approval.
- INP 6317 - Work Motivation and Job Attitudes 3 Credit Hours
- PSY 6216C - Research Methodology 4 Credit Hours
- MAN 6245 - Organizational Behavior and Development 3 Credit Hours
- MAN 6285 - Change Management 3 Credit Hours
Other electives to be determined by adviser with program approval.
- EME 6607 - Planned Change in Instructional Technology 3 Credit Hours
- EME 6602 - Integration of Technology into the Learning Environments 3 Credit Hours
- EME 6601 - Instructional Simulation Design for Training and Education 3 Credit Hours
- EME 6457 - Distance Education: Technology Process Product 3 Credit Hours
- EME 6613 - Instructional System Design 3 Credit Hours
- EME 6405 - Adapting and Integrating Innovative Technologies in Education 3 Credit Hours
- EME 6614 - Instructional Game Design for Training and Education 3 Credit Hours
- EME 6705 - Administration of Instructional Systems 3 Credit Hours
- EME 6055 - Current Trends in Instructional Technology 3 Credit Hours
TeachingOther electives to be determined by adviser with program approval.
- EDF 6237 - Principles of Learning and Introduction to Classroom Assessment 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 6727 - Critical Analysis of Social, Ethical, Legal, and Safety Issues Related to Education 3 Credit Hours
- EDG 6415 - Principles of Instruction and Classroom Management 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 6233 - Introduction to Action Research and Analysis of Classroom Practice 3 Credit Hours
- ESE 6217 - Curriculum Design 3 Credit Hours
- EME 5053 - Electronic Resources for Education 3 Credit Hours
Program EvaluationOther electives to be determined by adviser with program approval.
- EDF 6401 - Statistics for Educational Data 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 6432 - Measurement and Evaluation in Education 3 Credit Hours
- EDG 6285 - Evaluation of School Programs 3 Credit Hours
- ESE 6416 - Curriculum Evaluation 3 Credit Hours
Steps for Completing a Master's Thesis - Submit a 2–3 page thesis prospectus and preliminary bibliography on a topic to their thesis adviser. Prior to enrollment into thesis credit hours, the student will identify a Thesis Committee to be further approved by the College Graduate Dean and the College of Graduate Studies. This committee is chaired by the adviser and includes two or more additional faculty members (minimum of 3 committee members required).
- The formal thesis is initiated by the preparation of a proposal that meets both departmental and university requirements for the thesis. The members of the student's thesis committee review the proposal as the preliminary step to beginning the thesis. Students are responsible for sending their proposal to all committee members at least three weeks before the end of the semester. This committee must approve the Thesis Proposal before academic credit can accrue.
- Once the proposal is approved by both the committee and the UCF Institutional Review Board, students should begin collecting and analyzing their data. Students should expect to defend their proposal during the semester in which they are enrolled for thesis credits.
- The thesis is a formal written document. The introduction cites similar, related, and antecedent work. The body explains the purposes of the project, the method of its production, and any evaluation that was performed. The conclusion includes plans for future work. The thesis also includes an archival copy of the resulting creative product. Both the thesis and the creative product must be delivered in digital form, acceptable by the College of Graduate Studies and UCF library according to standards for digital dissertations and theses.
Scholarly Product Requirement (Review 1)Before graduation from the ALIMA program, students are required to submit evidence of their ability to conduct a scholarly examination of research in a chosen area in the field of educational psychology or another discipline as agreed upon with their advisor. They will demonstrate this ability by producing a scholarly review of literature to present a thorough overview of research surrounding a particular problem involving learning and/or instruction. As part of the review, students will present a list of research and theory-based potential solutions to the identified problem. This project will be introduced in the Seminar in Applied Learning and Instruction I and completed the following semester in Seminar in Applied Learning and Instruction II.
Comprehensive Exams (Review II)The comprehensive exams serve as the culminating experience of the ALIMA program. The comprehensive exam must be completed no later than one month before the end of the semester in which the student graduates. Exams are offered at regularly scheduled times determined by the program coordinator.
Nonthesis OptionFor students electing not to write a thesis, the comprehensive exam will consist of three questions. The student will have one week to answer the questions in a take-home, extended essay file format. Students must cite all instances where their ideas are directly or indirectly related to outside sources. Students may not consult with other students or use Wikipedia or other online sources to complete their exams. Exams will be graded based on a pass or fail basis. Students who fail the exam marginally may be asked to rewrite specific questions. Students who fail the exam may be requested by their adviser to retake courses in areas of deficiency and will not be eligible to receive their master's degree until the exam is passed.
Thesis OptionFor students electing to submit a thesis, their comprehensive exam will take place as an oral exam no less than 3 weeks after the final version of their thesis is submitted to their committee. During the oral exam, students will be asked to defend their thesis, as well as respond to questions that require them to integrate and synthesize information learned in their core courses.
Independent LearningThe MA program requires the completion of a research project. Research projects are independent learning activities in which students must apply, reflect upon, and refine knowledge and skills required in the program. Before graduation from the program, each student must satisfy a scholarly product requirement (Review I). This requirement can be met in one of two ways: students can submit a research study to a refereed journal (with faculty assistance), or submit a proposal for a presentation at an annual conference of a national or local organization (from an approved list of resources). The student must be primarily responsible for conceptualizing, carrying out, and reporting the results in both options. The student is responsible for obtaining approval of the product from his or her advisor.
Admission Requirements
