Ph.D. Educational Studies: Science Education

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	Information for Prospective/Current Students
	Master's Degree
	Ed.D. (Educational Leadership)
	Ph.D. (Educational Science: Science Education)

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The Ph.D. in Educational Studies: Science Education is distinctive and interdisciplinary in that it is designed with three foci: (a) the field of education (including science education & educational psychology), (b) educational research methodology, and (c) science content.

The science education courses, taught in the College of Education, are designed to increase understanding of current research about pedagogical content knowledge, the teaching and learning of science at all levels, national reform efforts, and science as inquiry.

The educational psychology courses are designed to help the student understand the learner and the application of psychology to education.  The research courses, taught in the College of Education and in the Psychology Department, are designed to help the students become facile in social science research methodologies.

The science content courses, taught in the College of Science and Engineering, are designed to prepare the student in the science discipline of his/her interest. These courses will be selected with the approval of the advisor.  The School/College in which courses are offered will determine the readiness of students to take courses.

The Ph.D. in Educational Studies: Science Education prepares students who are qualified to engage in high quality original scholarship and therefore has a strong research orientation. Recipients will have the knowledge and skills to assume (a) college faculty positions with responsibility in conducting educational research and in teaching undergraduate/graduate science education courses and community college level science courses or (b) district and state-level leadership positions in science education.

Program of Study

Field of Education (27 hours)           

Science Education. [Minimum of 12 hours]

EDUC 70013 – Colloquia in the Profession of Science Education

EDUC 70033 – Scientific Inquiry and the Nature of Science

EDUC 70043 – Science in the Global Community

EDUC 60810 – Seminar: Special Topics in Science Education           

Educational Psychology. [Minimum of 12 hours]

(Select from the following)

EDUC 60810 - Seminar: Teaching & Learning in Higher Education

EDUC 60810 - Seminar: Piaget

EDUC 60810 - Seminar: Vygotsky

EDUC 60810 - Seminar: Freire

EDUC 60213 - Advanced Educational Psychology

EDUC 60013 - Curriculum Theories

EDUC 60313 - Educational Assessment

PSYC 50583 - Cognition

Internship. [Minimum of 3 hours] 

EDUC 60980 - Internship

Research (12 hours)

Research. [Minimum of 12 hours]  Students must take at least 4 of the courses listed (or other research courses as appropriate) and then select appropriate research apprenticeships (see below)

EDUC 70953 - Research in Education

EDUC 60823 - Educational Evaluation

PSYC 50423 – Graduate Statistics

PSYC 50523 – Experimental Design

PSYC 60613 – Multivariate Analysis

Apprenticeships in Educational Research. A minimum of one apprenticeship will be required of all students. The Apprenticeship will allow the student to work with an established researcher as he/she gains the experience to conduct his/her own research.

Science Content (18 hours)

Concentration. [Minimum of 18 hours] Students must take 18 hours that qualify for science content as approved by the advisor and the appropriate person in the science department. 

           

Dissertation (6 hours minimum)

Dissertation Research. [Minimum of 6 hours]  Students will conduct original research and formally present the research to a faculty committee for critique.

EDUC 90980 – Dissertation (variable)

EDUC 90990 – Dissertation (variable)

Sequence of Experiences

Completion of all non-dissertation coursework

Completion of internships and apprentice ship

Completion of the qualifying exam

Completion of original research and successful defense of resulting dissertation

Application Information:

Applicants must present a strong academic record, acceptable Graduate Record Examination scores within the past 5 years, and 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. 

Advisors:

Dr. Molly Weinburgh  &  Dr. Janet Kelly