Doctoral Programs in Education
Doctoral students majoring in education may earn either a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree or a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree. Requirements for the two degrees are similar; differences will be noted in this section. The Ph.D. is conceived as a research-oriented degree, whereas the Ed.D. degree is more oriented to the practitioner. Doctoral programs are long and complex. Students are encouraged to discuss the prospective program with appropriate faculty prior to submitting an application. Students should refer to the "Doctoral Program Handbook," which provides additional information.
Doctoral Majors
Doctoral degree programs (Ph.D. and/or Ed.D.) are offered in the following areas of specialization: Curriculum and Instruction (Ph.D. and Ed.D.) Concentrations: Early Childhood Education Elementary Education Secondary Education Special Education General Curriculum Educational Technology Educational Administration and Supervision (Ed.D.) Foundations of Education (Ph.D. and Ed.D.) Concentrations: Educational Psychology Educational Sociology History of Education Philosophy of Education Research and Measurement Guidance and Counselor Education (Ph.D. and Ed.D.) Concentrations: Counselor Education School Psychology Health and Physical Education (Ph.D. and Ed.D.) Concentrations: Health Physical Education Higher Education (Ph.D.)Doctoral MinorsThe major fields listed for doctoral specialization are also available as minor areas of study for other doctoral programs. Additional areas of study for the minor are available within the College as well as areas from the College of Arts and Sciences and Business Administration. Students should discuss these alternatives with their advisers.
Admission to the Doctoral Program
A candidate applying for admission to doctoral study in the College of Education and Allied Professions must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School, the College of Education and Allied Professions, and the department in which the candidate wishes to pursue a major field of study. These requirements are as follows:
1.Completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.7 (4.0 scale).
2.Completion of a Master's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
3.Applicants are required to submit current GRE scores (test taken within the past 6 years). Generally, a GRE score at the 50th percentile or higher will enhance an applicant's chances for admission, e.g., a minimum of 480 on the verbal plus a minimum of 560 on the quantitative for a total of 1040.
4.Evidence in prerequisite academic work that the applicant will be able to pursue effectively a graduate program in the department in which the applicant wishes to specialize.
5.An autobiographical statement, including statements on previous study, educational experience, professional accomplishments, immediate and future professional goals, a proposed time schedule and other pertinent information that the applicant believes will aid the department in making the recommendation for admission.
6.Evidence of a minimum of two years of successful teaching experience for an applicant who expects to continue working in teacher education. An applicant without teaching experience may be admitted to the doctoral program in the absence of such experience upon the approval of the department in which he/she wishes to concentrate.
7.Evidence of research and writing ability if required by the department. Such evidence could include a master's thesis, a written research report, one or more reprints of publications, a paper presented to a professional society or similar evidence of the applicant's competence in this respect.
8.Some departments may require a formal interview by the Admissions Committee and/or administer an examination.
General Requirements for the Doctoral Program
1.Doctoral programs require the completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours beyond the master's degree. Generally students complete approximately 70 hours plus dissertation credit.
2.Students must demonstrate competence in Educational Foundations. Various options exist for Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs. Refer to the Doctoral Handbook for specific information.
3.Students must satisfy the research requirement through the completion of 6-12 hours. Differences exist between the Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs. Refer to the Doctoral Handbook for additional information.
4.The Doctoral Program must have either:
a.One major (minimum of 36 hours) and one minor (minimum of 15 hours) or
b.One major (minimum of 24 hours) and two minors (minimum of 15 hours each)
5.All requirements for the degree program must be completed within a seven-year period preceding the date the degree is awarded.
6.Dissertation hours (minimum of 10 and maximum of 32).
Advising/Committees
Upon admission to a program the student is assigned a temporary adviser. This adviser
will guide the student
through the formation of the Doctoral Committee.
The Doctoral Committee shall be formed before the student completes 18 hours of credit. The Doctoral Committee has a minimum of three members who are selected from the membership of the graduate faculty of the University. Specific composition of the committee is outlined in the Doctoral Handbook.
The Doctoral Committee is responsible for assisting the student in the development of a Plan of Study and assuring competence by overseeing the qualifying examination, doctoral major exams, doctoral minor(s) exams, and doctoral orals. After passing doctoral orals, the student must form a Dissertation Committee to guide the development of the dissertation. Guidelines for this three-member committee are outlined in the Doctoral Handbook.
Plan of Study
The Doctoral Program Specification Sheet, a form listing all courses to be included
in the student's program, is
available in the Student Services Center or the Graduate School Office. Requirements
for foundations, research tools, major, minor(s) and
dissertation credit are included on the form. The plan must be approved by the Doctoral
Committee, the Associate Dean of the College and the Dean
of the Graduate School. The plan should be filed prior to the completion of 18 hours
of approved credit.
Residence Requirements
A student who is seeking the Ph.D. degree must complete two consecutive full-time semesters in residence.
A student who is seeking the Ed.D. may meet the above requirement or may complete
two consecutive full-time summer semesters.
The residence requirement implies a period of full-time concentration in academic study. A program of nine semester hours is recognized as the minimum for full-time residence in any semester or in a complete summer term. The student must meet the residence requirement under a plan that is submitted in writing to the Doctoral Program Committee for prior approval.
Examinations
Three examinations must be passed successfully by each student who completes a doctoral
program. The examination sequence
for each doctoral candidate is as follows:
1.Departmental qualifying examination (preliminary examination in doctoral area). Each student must pass a department qualifying examination in the doctoral major. This exam must be taken between the point that a student has earned a minimum of 15 credit hours of approved credit and a maximum of 27 credit hours of approved credit. Failure to pass the examination will result in dismissal from the program. Please refer to the Doctoral Handbook and consult your adviser for additional information.
2.Major and minor area(s) examinations, written and oral. The oral is classified as doctoral orals. Please refer to the Doctoral Handbook for additional information.
3.Dissertation oral examination. (See Doctoral Handbook)
Checklist for the Doctoral Program
- Admission to program
- Work with temporary adviser
- Form Doctoral Committee
- File Doctoral Program Specification Sheet
- Pass qualifying examination
- Complete required coursework
- Pass major/minor exams
- Pass doctoral oral examination
- Form dissertation committee
- Have dissertation prospectus/proposal approved by dissertation committee
- Final oral defense of dissertation (supervised by dissertation committee)
- Submit final, approved copies of dissertation to Graduate School and dissertation committee
Doctoral Monitoring Committee (DMC)
The DMC is responsible for reviewing all requests not consistent with College of Education
and
Allied Professions and Graduate School policies and making recommendations to the
college's Associate Dean and the Dean of the Graduate School.
Please refer to Doctoral Handbook for additional information.