Mathematics and Science Education (MSED)

 

The Joint Doctoral Program in Mathematics and Science Education (MSED), administered by UC San Diego and San Diego State University(SDSU) , prepares scholars to integrate deep disciplinary expertise in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and related fields with rigorous research to investigate learning and teaching and to advance equity and justice in education. Drawing on the complementary strengths and diverse faculty of both universities, students pursue interdisciplinary coursework in learning and cognition, mathematics and science education, and qualitative and quantitative methodologies, while examining the cultural, historical, philosophical, political, and social contexts of education through critical perspectives. A defining feature of the program is our apprenticeship model, through which a student progresses from research rotations and an independent project to sustained faculty collaboration, teaching practice, and an original dissertation. Within a supportive intellectual community across both institutions, students pursue individualized research agendas and develop the theoretical, methodological, and practical expertise needed to advance knowledge, improve curriculum and instruction, inform educational policy and discourse, and pursue faculty and other leadership roles in mathematics and science education.

 

Founded in 1993, MSED continues to meet a critical need for researchers in mathematics and science education. Students with this doctorate are uniquely qualified as they enter the program with a master’s degree in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, or a related discipline. MSED currently consists of UC San Diego program faculty from the School of Biological Sciences and the Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Cognitive Science, Communication, Computer Science and Engineering, Education Studies, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology. The San Diego State University program faculty is drawn from the Departments of Biology, Mathematical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Physics, Psychology, and the College of Education. This breadth enables students to work across disciplinary, methodological, and institutional boundaries, making MSED a truly interdisciplinary doctoral program.

Academic Year 2025-2026

  • Congratulations to Eva Fuentes-Lopez and Carlos De Alba on being selected as awardees for the UC President’s Pre-Professoriate Fellows (PPPF)!
    Their selection reflects a strong commitment to academic excellence and professional development. As students in the Joint Doctoral Program in Mathematics and Science Education (JDP MSED) at UC San Diego and San Diego State University, we are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and look forward to all they will continue to accomplish.  Congratulations, Eva and Carlos!
     
  • Congratulations to Ruo Ning (Nancy) Qiu, a student in the Joint Doctoral Program in Mathematics and Science Education (JDP MSED) at UC San Diego and San Diego State University, on being selected as an awardee of the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D)!
    This prestigious recognition reflects Nancy’s outstanding academic achievements and research excellence. We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment and look forward to seeing her continued success.
    Congratulations, Nancy!

 

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Master's degree in Mathematics (pure, applied, or statistics), Biology, Chemistry, or Physics; or
  • Master's degree in Mathematics Education or Science Education (see program requirements for details)
  • Minimum graduate GPA of 3.50 (on a 4.00 scale)
  • Strong bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.25 in the final 30 semester units (or equivalent)
  • GRE scores are not required

International applicants should review the admissions information provided by SDSU and UC, San Diego and consult the International Student FAQs or Graduate Admissions websites.
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Applications are submitted through San Diego State University (SDSU) and UC, San Diego. For the most up-to-date application requirements, deadlines, and instructions, please visit the SDSU program website .

 

 

The best way to reach the program is:

MSED Advising

  • Email: msed-advising-g@ucsd.edu

UCSD Academic Advisor

  • Jackie Beaudoin
  • Email: jbeaudoin@ucsd.edu
  • All UCSD administrative issues 
  • Course registration at UCSD
  • Pay issues for TA, GSR, or AI at UCSD
  • Graduation requirements at UCSD
  • Concerns regarding the MSED student office at UCSD   

UCSD Faculty Advisor (Years 1–2)

  • Dr. Amy Eguchi
  • Email: a2eguchi@ucsd.edu
  • Guidance meeting course requirements
  • Course substitutions (both UCSD and SDSU advisors need to sign off)
  • Advice regarding UCSD research rotations (MSED 295), independent research projects (MSED 298), & teaching practicum (MSED 294)
  • Information about UCSD courses
  • Professional mentor: identify experiences to help you develop important professional skills, with a focus on activities that go beyond the core course requirements
  • 1st and 2nd year evaluations  

SDSU Faculty Advisor (Years 1-2)

  • Dr. Regis Komperda
  • Email: rkomperda@sdsu.edu
  • Guidance meeting course requirements
  • Course substitutions (both advisors need to sign off)
  • Advice regarding SDSU research rotations (MSE 802), independent research projects (MSE 820), & teaching practicum (MSE 805, 806, 807)
  • Information on science education courses available at SDSU
  • Professional mentor: identify experiences to help you develop important professional skills, with a focus on activities that go beyond the core course requirements
  • 1st and 2nd year evaluations 

UCSD Co-Director

  • Dr. Stanley Lo
  • Email: smlo@ucsd.edu

SDSU Co-Director

  • Dr. Susan Nickerson
  • Email: snickerson@sdsu.edu

UCSD The Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) contact for JDP MSED

  • Sara Miceli
  • Email: smiceli@ucsd.edu
  • Final degree checks and conferral

For similar questions on the SDSU side, contact Deb Escamilla (descamilla@sdsu.edu) or consult the JDP MSED Handbook

During the first and second years of the MSED program students are assigned faculty advisors at both UCSD and SDSU. For the 2026-2027 acadmeic year, Dr. Amy Eguchi from UCSD and Dr. Regis Komperda from SDSU are the faculty advisors for 1st and 2nd year students. Once a dissertation committee is established, the committee chair becomes the student's primary faculty advisor.

The current 2026- 2027 academic year MSED catalog can be accessed through the UC, San Diego catalog website.

You will use the Triton Student System (TSS) to enroll in UCSD courses.

Use Triton Enrollment Authorization (TEA) if enrollment authorization is required. Linked here is a guide to help you with TEA.

Approval of this request is not guaranteed and is subject to the department's discretion.

JDP-1: Notice of Admission

Completed shortly after admission to confirm a student's intent to enroll.

JDP-2: Nomination for Qualifying Examination

Used to nominate and obtain approval for the dissertation committee before the dissertation proposal defense.

JDP-3: Advancement to Candidacy

Completed after successful completion of program milestones and advancement requirements.

JDP-4: Change in Dissertation Committee Membership

Used only when changes are made to an already approved dissertation committee.

Please note: Not all students will use this form. This form is only used for changed within your dissertation committee. 

JDP-5: Approval for Doctoral Degree

Initiated by SDSU and completed at the time of dissertation submission and degree approval.

A video explaining JDP forms can be found here in the Video Library for Academic Advising.
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All doctoral students must complete an annual Spring Evaluation as required by Graduate Council policy. The evaluation serves as documentation of the student's progress in the graduate program. It is recommended that you meet with your advisor beforehand.

The evaluation process includes:

  1. The student completes the evaluation form.
  2. Faculty advisor(s) or committee members provide comments and feedback.
  3. Students review comments and sign the evaluation.
  4. Co-Directors review and approve.
  5. The Graduate Division conducts final review.

Important: Failure to complete the Spring Evaluation may result in registration and funding holds.

The evaluation deadline is the last Friday of the Spring quarter. Please see the academic calendar for exact date 

 

To create an MSED 299 course, email the MSED Advising email (msed-advising-g@ucsd.edu) and include:

  • Quarter requested (Example: Fall 2027 quarter)
  • Written consent from the faculty member who will serve as Instructor of Record: Please forward or screenshot the email in which they agree to being the professor for MSED 299

Please allow 1–3 business days for processing and system updates.
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Before submitting, gather:

  • Names of faculty, titles, departments, and the specialties of each the committee members
  • Proposed dissertation specialty

If you wish to include an outside member (someone not affiliated with UCSD or SDSU), additional approval steps are required. Please see in the Advising video library to learn more. 

Final approval must be obtained from:

  • Dr. Stanley Lo (UCSD Co-Director)
  • Dr. Susan Nickerson (SDSU Co-Director)
  • Approval from the graduate offices on both campuses is required. Please submit this form well in advance of your proposal defense.





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  • MSED Advising email: msed-advising-g@ucsd.edu
  • Academic Advisor: Jackie Beaudoin, jbeaudoin@ucsd.edu
  • Faculty Advisor for 1st & 2nd yr students: Dr. Amy Eguchi, a2eguchi@ucsd.edu 
  • UCSD Co-Director: Dr. Stanley Lo, smlo@ucsd.edu 
  1. Email msed-advising-g@ucsd.edu to inform us that you will be hiring an MSED student. In the email please include:
    • The name of student
    • What type of position?
      • GSR, TA, AI?
      • GSR - MUST use non-tuition and remission job code 
    • What quarters will your funding be covering the student? 
  2. Onboarding must be done by home department
  3. UCPath transactions and ASES offers will be done by the hiring department
  • Approval of ASES offers will be done by home department upon receiving email with information mentioned above
  • Please note: JDP students do not pay tuition at UCSD but, tuition is paid at SDSU

 

 

 

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(858) 534-3590