The Ph.D. in Educational Studies prepares graduates for careers in a variety of education-related fields. The Ph.D.’s core areas are curriculum and literacy, cultural and international studies in education, educational leadership, and second-language education. The program has been designed to ensure flexibility, and students experience both multidisciplinary and discipline-specific research opportunities. The program begins with a set of common courses and proceeds to specialization through advanced course work and dissertation topics focused on areas of expertise that are supported by the research interests of current faculty members. Graduates find work as researchers, teachers, consultants, curriculum developers, and administrators in a wide range of settings, including universities, school boards, government agencies, and international NGOs.

The Ph.D. in Educational Studies provides an integrative perspective on education by drawing on a range of related disciplines and research orientations. Students develop scholarly and innovative expertise in at least one of three contexts of inquiry and awareness of all three:

the broad context of culture and society;
the international, national, and local contexts of educational leadership and policy studies; and
the more specific contexts of schools and other sites of teaching and learning.

Students begin with a set of common core courses and proceed to specialization through advanced course work and dissertation topics focused on areas of expertise that are supported by the research interests of current faculty members.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Educational Studies: Gender and Women's Studies

The graduate option in Gender and Women’s Studies is an interdisciplinary program for students who meet the degree requirements in a participating unit who wish to earn 6 credits of approved course work focusing on gender and women’s studies, and issues in feminist research and methods. In the graduate option in Gender and Women’s Studies, the Ph.D. thesis must be on a topic centrally relating to issues of gender and/or women’s studies.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Educational Studies: Language Acquisition

Students must satisfy all program requirements for the Ph.D. in Educational Studies. The Ph.D. thesis must be on a topic relating to language acquisition, approved by the LAP committee.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Educational Studies: Mathematics and Science Education

This Ph.D. concentration emphasizes research in mathematics and science education, including a specific focus on teacher education in the area of math and science. Graduates will gain sufficient research experience to conduct empirical research in math and science education and sufficient teacher education experience to assume roles as teacher educators in university or other settings. The program includes targeted opportunities for candidates to develop skills, knowledge, and practices specific to teaching and learning mathematics and science, mathematics and science teacher preparation, and research in both of these areas.