The 134-credit Ph.D. in Education program requires mastery of knowledge in three areas: the foundational social and behavioral sciences, scientific inquiry and research methodology, and the student’s specialized field chosen from a broad range of professional education studies. Students select their specialization at the outset of their program and complete their doctoral program by conducting original research and writing a results-oriented dissertation that demonstrates command of the discipline.
The core curriculum comprises a Foundation course in doctoral studies, three Knowledge Area Modules (KAMs), and the Research Sequence.
SBSF 8005 Foundations for Doctoral Study (6 cr.)
All beginning Ph.D. in Education students are required to successfully complete this course, and are automatically enrolled in it during their first month. In this course, students develop a Professional Development Plan and a Plan of Study to guide the rest of their program.
Core KAMs provide a foundation of knowledge and prepare students to enhance their professional practice in a constantly changing environment.
Core KAM I: Principles of Social Change (14 cr.)
As individuals and as professionals facing contemporary challenges, we must understand the contexts within which change takes place in our society, the variety of forces that operate to bring about change, the consequences of change, and our own role as change agents. Students examine the complex nature of societal change from the perspective of a variety of disciplines, including philosophy, ethics, sociology, psychology, economics, political science, anthropology, history, and futuristics, and then apply that knowledge through practical demonstration.
Breadth: SBSF 8110 Theories of Social Change (5 cr.)
Depth: SBSF 8120 Current Research in Social Change (5 cr.)
Application: SBSF 8130 Professional Practice and Social Change (4 cr.)
Core KAM II: Principles of Human Development (14 cr.)
KAM II allows students to explore human development from a variety of perspectives, including those defined by biology, anthropology, and psychology. They examine how culture (e.g., race, nationality, ethnicity, social class, sex, sexual orientation, and disability) influences human development, and they come to know the individual as part of a larger context in a multicultural society.
Breadth: SBSF 8210 Theories of Human Development (5 cr.)
Depth: SBSF 8220 Current Research in Human Development (5 cr.)
Application: SBSF 8230 Professional Practice and Human Development (4 cr.)
Core KAM III: Principles of Organizational and Social Systems (14 cr.)
KAM III asks students to examine social systems theory to see how different parts of a system interact and to better analyze and understand education in the context of the larger society. The primary models of structured system theories are presented as a background and theoretical framework for other knowledge areas.
Breadth: SBSF 8310 Theories of Organizational and Social Systems (5 cr.)
Depth: SBSF 8320 Current Research in Organizational and Social Systems (5 cr.)
Application: SBSF 8330 Professional Practice and Organizational and Social Systems (4 cr.)
Core Research Sequence (19 cr.)
The four courses in the Core Research Sequence are conducted online, requiring weekly participation in discussions and assignments. Course instructors guide discussions, require specific readings, and evaluate assignments.
SBSF 8417 Research Seminar I: Human Inquiry and Science (4 cr.)
EDUC 8428 Research Seminar II: Design in Educational Research (5 cr.)
EDUC 8438 Research Seminar III: Quantitative Research in Education (5 cr.)
EDUC 8448 Research Seminar IV: Qualitative Research in Education (5 cr.)
Advanced Research Sequence (9 cr.)
The two courses in the Advanced Research Sequence are conducted as independent studies under the guidance of the faculty mentor or the dissertation chair. The purpose of these courses is to lead into the dissertation study by field testing the research approach and presenting the initial results. Students prepare a plan for the study that is submitted and evaluated by the instructor before the study begins. The final study for both courses is assessed by the instructor. These two courses are undertaken consecutively and relate to the dissertation/study project.
EDUC 8458 Advanced Research: Conducting Pilot and Field Studies (5 cr.)
EDUC 8468 Advanced Research: Communicating Knowledge in Educational Research (4 cr.)
