Learning and Teaching in Social Contexts, EdD

Designed with an actionable, justice-focused framework, the University at Buffalo’s Doctor of Education program in learning and teaching in social contexts blends contemporary theory and practice across synergistic learning experiences to produce the next generation of educational professionals dedicated to addressing emergent and persistent problems of practice. This EdD program offers an applied, professional degree that teaches students how to solve problems and address challenges that education leaders face in diverse contexts.

Problem of Practice Core (24 credits)

Required Course (3 credits)

LAI 613SEM - Curriculum Theory and Research Credits: 3

Additional Coursework (21 credits)

Select 21 credits, with approval of advisor, from:

ELP 640SEM - Teacher Leadership for School Improvement Credits: 3
ELP 677SEM - Leading Curriculum and Instructional Improvement Credits: 3
LAI 512LEC - Readings in Multicultural Literature Credits: 3
LAI 513SEM - Teaching of Literature Credits: 3
LAI 517SEM - Media, Popular Culture and ELA Credits: 3
LAI 518LEC - Writing Workshop for Teachers Credits: 3
LAI 523SEM - Social Studies Curriculum Credits: 3
LAI 526LEC - Agencies & Services for Children Credits: 3
LAI 527LEC - Learning Math: Early Childhood Credits: 1-3
LAI 535SEM - Environmental Education Credits: 3
LAI 536LEC - Digital Video/Literacy Learning Credits: 3
LAI 537LEC - Language Diversity and Literacy Credits: 3
LAI 539SEM - The Science of Reading Instruc Credits: 3
LAI 541SEM - Mathematics Instruction Seminar Credits: 3
LAI 543LEC - Implications of the History of Mathematics for Teaching Credits: 3
LAI 545LEC - Problem Posing and Solving in Education Credits: 3
LAI 546LEC - Teaching and Learning of Algebra Credits: 3
LAI 547LEC - Measurement and Evaluation of Student Performance Credits: 3
LAI 552LEC - Middle Childhood/Adolescent Literacy Methods Credits: 1 - 3
LAI 553LAB - Technology in Secondary Math Teaching Credits: 3
LAI 555LEC - Music Seminar Credits: 1 - 6
LAI 563LEC - Language, Literacy and Culture Credits: 3
LAI 564LEC - Advanced Studies in Music Learning Theory Credits: 3
LAI 573SEM - Technology as a Social Practice Credits: 3
LAI 610SEM - Introduction to Doctoral Studies in Learning and Instruction Credits: 3
LAI 610LEC - Supervision Music Learning Programs Credits: 3
LAI 615SEM - Intro to Curriculum, Instruction, and Science of Learning(CISL) Credits: 3
LAI 620SEM - Intersectionality and Education Credits: 3
LAI 624SEM - Research on Literacies and English Education Credits: 3
LAI 630SEM - Doctoral Seminar in Appraisal Credits: 3
LAI 633SEM - Sel Topics Credits: 1 - 3
LAI 636SEM - Theories Learning and Behavior Credits: 3
LAI 643LEC - School Mathematics from an Advanced Standpoint I (Number Theory and Algebra) Credits: 3
LAI 644LEC - School Mathematics from an Advanced Standpoint II (Geometry) Credits: 3
LAI 645LEC - Sch Mth Adv Standpoint 3 Credits: 3
LAI 647LEC - Sch Mth Adv Standpoint 4 Credits: 3
LAI 648SEM - Equity, Diversity, & Epistemological Issues in Technology Credits: 3
LAI 649SEM - Learning Theories Credits: 3
LAI 651SEM - Research in Reading and Literacy Credits: 3
LAI 652LAB - Practicum in Literacy Research or Supervision Credits: 3 - 6
LAI 660SEM - Literacy Research & Theory Diverse Contexts Credits: 3
LAI 663SEM - Socio-cultural Dimensions in Learning and Human Development Credits: 1 - 3
LAI 664SEM - Bakhtinian and (Neo-Bakhtinian) Perspectives on Language, Literacy and Culture Credits: 3
LAI 671SEM - Philosophy of Technology Credits: 3
LAI 673SEM - New Literacies Seminar Credits: 3
LAI 678LEC - Digital Media in Education Credits: 3
LAI 682LEC - Assessing Second Language Proficiency Credits: 1 - 3
LAI 685LEC - Sel Topics Credits: 3
LAI 685SEM - Literacy and Dialogic Teaching and Learning Credits: 3
LAI 686SEM - Sel Topics Credits: 3
LAI 688LEC - Sel Topics Credits: 3
LAI 689SEM - Embodiment in education: The Body’s role in Learning, Teaching, and Technology Credits: 3
LAI 693SEM - Sel Topics Credits: 3

Design & Research Methods for Improving Education Core (18 credits)

Required Course (3 credits)

LAI 515LEC - Action Research to Improve Teaching and Learning Credits: 3

Additional Coursework (15 credits)

Select 15 credits, with approval of advisor, from:

CEP 532LEC - Understanding Statistical Research Credits: 3
ELP 692SEM - Top: Credits: 3
LAI 519LEC - Research in Writing Credits: 3
LAI 534LEC - Measurement and Evaluation of STEM Instruction Credits: 3
LAI 586LEC - Research Methods in Bilingualism and L2 Acquisition Credits: 3
LAI 622SEM - Research in Social Studies Education Credits: 3
LAI 623SEM - Theory and Research in Situated Learning Credits: 3
LAI 624SEM - Research on Literacies and English Education Credits: 3
LAI 625SEM - Discourse Analysis Research (Qualitative) Credits: 3
LAI 626SEM - Advanced Qualitative Research Field Methods Credits: 3
LAI 627SEM - Mixed Research Methods in Education Credits: 3
LAI 637SEM - Research in STEM Education Credits: 3
LAI 641LEC - Survey of Educational Research Methods Credits: 3
LAI 646SEM - Mathematics Education Research Credits: 3
LAI 647LEC - Sch Mth Adv Standpoint 4 Credits: 3
LAI 648LEC - Research Ethics Credits: 3
LAI 650SEM - Research in Teaching Credits: 3
LAI 651SEM - Research in Reading and Literacy Credits: 3
LAI 657SEM - Analysis of Quantitative Research in LAI I Credits: 4
LAI 658SEM - Analysis of Quantitative Research in LAI II Credits: 4
LAI 660SEM - Literacy Research & Theory Diverse Contexts Credits: 3
LAI 661SEM - Rsrch Early Childhood Literacy Credits: 3
LAI 662SEM - Elementary Educ Research Credits: 3
LAI 669SEM - Qualitative Tech for Education Credits: 3
LAI 670SEM - Methods of Child Study Credits: 3
LAI 683SEM - Sel Topics Credits: 3
LAI 684LEC - Sel Topics Credits: 3
LAI 685LEC - Sel Topics Credits: 3
LAI 685SEM - Literacy and Dialogic Teaching and Learning Credits: 3
LAI 687SEM - Narrative Research Methods Credits: 3
LAI 687LEC - Sel Topics Credits: 3
LAI 688LEC - Sel Topics Credits: 3

Applying Research to a Problem of Practice (9 credits)

LAI 621SEM - Critical Interpretations of Research Credits: 3
LAI 644LAB - Inquiry Practicum Ed. D Credits: 1 - 6

Culminating Experience: Dissertation (9 credits)

LAI 702TUT - Indiv Guidnc Dissertation Credits: 1 - 10

Total Credit Hours: 60

3.0 Degree GPA required

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1) Problem Identification: Students will define and articulate a specific, evidence-based educational problem for improvement.

2) Contextual Understanding: Students will contextualize their problem within the broader educational and local context using rigorous research.

3) Methodological Competence: Students will design a clear, replicable research methodology that addresses research questions.

4) Data Analysis: Students will interpret and present key findings, synthesizing data from diverse sources to clarify outcomes.

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).