Educational Studies: Curriculum Studies, Ph.D.

The Ph.D. in Educational Studies: Curriculum Studies is a distinctive program that prepares students who are qualified to engage in high-quality original scholarships, to assume faculty positions in curriculum studies at the college and university levels, to take leadership positions at district and state-level education agencies, to assume curriculum positions in informal learning environments and to take on positions of influence in educational advocacy.

Admission

For admission into the program, an applicant must have a master's degree in an education-related field. Applicants must present a strong academic record, acceptable GRE scores within the past five years, a writing sample (15-20 pages, exclusive of notes and works cited) that demonstrates appropriate academic writing skills needed for success in a graduate program and three letters of recommendation. Applicants will be interviewed as part of the selection process.

Degree Requirements

As a research degree, the Ph.D. is awarded for demonstrating competence in research by successfully defending a doctoral dissertation. The emphasis is on developing knowledge and skills in curriculum studies and the ability to conduct original research. A general program of study is outlined below. Students are required to take a suitable number and variety of graduate courses and research apprenticeships to prepare them for the qualifying examination and the dissertation. The program requires 60 hours after acceptance into the program. The Ph.D. in Educational Studies: Curriculum Studies includes the following requirements.

I. Courses and Requirements

Curriculum Studies Content (18 hours)

EDUC 70813 and EDUC 70823 may be repeated with new topics for 9 credit hours.

Portfolio

Students develop an academic portfolio throughout their course of study.  Student and program advisors determine course study (electives, research courses, etc.) during portfolio conferences held before completion of the second semester and qualifying comprehensive examination.  Students may use the portfolio for New Media graduate certificate.

Electives (15 hours)

Students work with program advisors to determine electives that support student’s goals and interests.  Students may use elective hours to take additional curriculum studies and inquiry seminars, pursue graduate certificate(s) (e.g. Women & Gender Studies) and/or develop an area of emphasis.

Research (12 hours)

In addition to research courses, which may include the following among others, students consult with program advisors to identify and join at least one research community during their first year in the program and continue participation in research projects throughout their doctoral studies.

EDUC 70960: 1-3 hours may be repeated

II. University Teaching (3 hours)

Students apprentice with faculty in teaching at least one course before taking on more advanced teaching responsibilities.

III. Comprehensive Qualifying Examination

Students take a qualifying examination to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities in curriculum studies. Upon the successful completion of the qualifying examination, students are admitted to candidacy.

IV. Dissertation Research

Students propose and conduct original research, write a dissertation and defend the dissertation in a final oral examination with at least 12 dissertation hours.