Learning and Design

Learning and Design at Vanderbilt University is an innovative interdisciplinary program dedicated to exploring the principles and practices that enhance teaching, learning, and educational technology. The program prepares students to become effective educators, instructional designers, and educational technology specialists equipped with the skills to design, implement, and evaluate innovative learning experiences across diverse settings. Through a combination of theoretical foundations and practical applications, students engage with topics such as instructional design, e-learning, curriculum development, and the integration of multimedia and digital tools into education. The curriculum emphasizes learner-centered design, evidence-based teaching strategies, and the use of emerging technologies to improve educational outcomes.

Students in the Learning and Design program have opportunities to participate in hands-on projects, internships, and collaborations with educational institutions and organizations. The program fosters critical thinking, creativity, and research skills, enabling graduates to develop effective learning solutions tailored to various audiences and contexts. Faculty members are experienced practitioners and researchers dedicated to advancing the field of educational design and technology. Upon completion of the program, graduates are well-prepared for careers in education, corporate training, e-learning development, and academic research. The program strives to cultivate leaders who can transform educational practices through innovative design and technological integration. With a flexible curriculum that combines online and on-campus courses, students can tailor their studies to fit their professional goals and schedules, making Learning and Design at Vanderbilt University a premier choice for those passionate about advancing education in the digital age.

The Learning and Design M.Ed. program is designed as an immersive 10-month program spanning mid-July to graduation in early May, and involves 31 credit hours. Coursework is directly connected to schools, museums, libraries, and community organizations to support the L&D cohort in exploring connections and implications of theory in practice. Coursework for the program focuses on three interrelated core emphases: learning, design, and diversity. This common core includes 16 credit hours of coursework completed by all students in the program. The learning corefocuses on theories of learning and their application and implications in formal and informal settings. These theoretical perspectives provide the foundations for the design work. The design core explores implications of the learning core through a user-centered design process, which emphasizes the importance of interacting with users from the very beginning of the process. The diversity core drives and informs both the learning and design cores. Traditionally, organizations and activities are often tacitly designed to support only a narrow segment of the population reflecting the backgrounds of the designers. Such a narrow perspective is not only inequitable and unethical, but it is also highly ineffective (e.g., designing an educational system that “works” for less than 10% of the population). The focus of the diversity core explores diversity and approaches for supporting diversity through design.

In addition to the core courses, students choose 15 credit hours of electives in conjunction with their advisors that are relevant to each student’s interests and goals. At least one of these electives will have a primary focus on diversity and equity and at least one of these electives will have a primary focus on design. Any graduate level course in the department, college, or university for which the student is eligible can be considered for these electives based on the approval of the student’s advisors.

COMMON CORE 16 hours

Summer (Second-Half Summer Session Begins Mid-July)

• EDUC 7100 - Learning Out of School (3)
• EDUC 8040 - Diversity and Equity in Education (3)

Fall

• EDUC 6030 - Learning and Instruction (3)
• EDUC 6080 - Designing for Contexts (3)  

Spring

• EDUC 7810 - Inquiry Into Contexts (3)
• EDUC 7992 - Capstone Seminar (1 credit total for fall and spring)

ELECTIVES 15 hours (6 in Fall Semester and 9 in Spring Semester)

Selection of elective courses is made in consultation and approval with the program advisor. At least one of these electives should have a primary focus on diversity and at least one of these electives should have a primary focus on design.

TOTAL MINIMUM HOURS: 31 hours

• Submitted online application. (There is no application fee.)
• Transcript(s) from prior undergraduate and graduate work. Please scan and attach your unofficial transcript(s), or a copy of your official transcript(s), to your application. Note: Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the application. We understand that requesting official transcripts can be expensive, so we only require official, sealed transcripts if you are admitted and enroll at Peabody College.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation. Recent graduates should have at least two letters of recommendation from college or university faculty with whom they have studied.
• Statement of purpose.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for all Ph.D., Ed.D., M.Ed., and M.P.P. programs. The GRE must have been taken within the last 5 years and you must have an official score report sent directly from the testing agency. Our GRE institutional code is 1871 and there is no department code.
  • The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) may be submitted instead of the GRE for the M.Ed. programs in the department of Teaching and Learning and the Human Development Counseling program only. The MAT must have been taken within the last 5 years  and you must have an official score report sent directly from the testing agency. Our MAT institutional code is 2332.
• Scholarly writing sample (Special Education Ph.D. programs only)

Note: Other additional materials may be required by some programs.

International applicants:

International applicants must submit all of the above, plus the following:

• TOEFL or IELTS scores are required of all international applicants unless you have received a college degree from an institution in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or from an English medium university in South Africa. An official score report sent directly from the testing agency is required. Our TOEFL institutional code is 1871 and there is no department code.  There is no institutional code for the IELTS.
• The transcript(s) your submit must have an English translation.
• Note: International students with degrees from non-U.S. institutions who are admitted and enroll at Vanderbilt are required to have their transcripts evaluated by an approved credentials evaluation agency and to have an official report sent by the agency to the Graduate Admissions Office. The World Education Services (WES) is the preferred agency used by Peabody College. A WES evaluation is not required for the application.
• All new international students at Peabody College are enrolled in the Vanderbilt English Language Center course, US Education Concepts and Communication, in their first semester to help them adapt to academic life at Peabody College. 

Scholarships

Every professional student applicant is considered for merit aid. There is no separate application to complete and students will be notified in their admissions letter if they have been awarded merit aid.

Peabody Honors Scholarship (PHS) 

The Peabody Honors Scholarship (PHS) is the most competitive and prestigious award a student can receive from Peabody College. It covers 75% of a student’s tuition for up to three years,depending on the requirements of the program, and provides exclusive access to specialized lectures and social events with faculty and academic deans. A recipient must be enrolled as a full-time student for each semester unless it is her/his final semester. A student must maintain a minimum 3.75 GPA in all coursework to retain the scholarship.

Dean's Tuition Scholarship (DTS) 

The Dean's Tuition Scholarship (DTS) is a competitive scholarship that recognizes high-achieving students who will greatly contribute to their program of study. This award covers 50% of a student’s tuition for up to three years, depending on the length of the program. Recipients may enroll as full or part time students. However, since there is a time limitation on the award, students will want to complete their program of study before the three year award expires. Continuous enrollment and good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA) are required for renewal of this award.

Scholastic Achievement Scholarship (SAS) 

The Scholastic Achievement Scholarship (SAS) is a competitive scholarship that recognizes high-achieving students who will greatly contribute to their program of study. This award covers 25% of a student’s tuition for up to three years,depending on the length of the program. Recipients may enroll as full or part time students. However, since there is a time limitation on the award, students will want to complete their program of study before the three year award expires. Continuous enrollment and good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA) are required for renewal of this award.

Iris Scholarship 

The Iris Scholarship is a competitive  one-year award only that recognizes academic achievement.  This award varies from $1,000 to $4,000 and is equally distributed between the fall and spring semesters of the first year only. A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be obtained in the fall semester for this award to continue in the spring semester. This award is not renewable.

Virginia Haynes Redfield Scholarship 

The Virginia Haynes Redfield Scholarship is a competitive one-year award onlythat recognizes academic achievement of underrepresented students.  This award varies from $1,000 to $4,000 and is equally distributed between the fall and spring semesters of the first year only. A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be obtained in the fall semester for this award to continue in the spring semester. This award is not renewable.

The Learning and Design program at Vanderbilt University offers a comprehensive curriculum aimed at equipping students with the skills necessary to develop effective instructional materials and educational environments. The program emphasizes contemporary theories of learning, instructional design methodologies, and the application of technology in education. Students gain expertise in designing, developing, and implementing innovative learning solutions tailored to diverse learner needs in various contexts, including K-12, higher education, corporate training, and online education. The curriculum typically covers foundational topics such as cognitive psychology, multimedia development, assessment strategies, and data-driven instruction, ensuring graduates are well-versed in evidence-based practices. Vanderbilt’s approach integrates theoretical knowledge with practical experience, often through project-based coursework and collaborations with industry partners. Graduates of the program are prepared to pursue careers in instructional design, educational technology, curriculum development, e-learning administration, and related fields. The program also fosters research skills and encourages scholarly inquiry into emerging trends in digital learning and instructional innovation. Students benefiting from expert faculty mentorship and state-of-the-art learning facilities are positioned to lead transformative initiatives within educational institutions or corporate environments. The program's flexibility allows for specialization in areas such as online learning, multimedia design, or assessment development, aligning academic pursuits with professional goals. Overall, Vanderbilt’s Learning and Design program combines rigorous academic training with practical application to prepare students for significant roles in shaping future educational experiences.