Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education
84 credit hours (minimum 51 credit hours of coursework)
Qualifying exam within the first two years of Ph.D. study:
- Composed of five position statements (ranked by faculty)
- Top three ranked must be defended orally and in writing
Oral comprehensive exam with the student’s graduate committee (the dissertation proposal is presented orally as part of the comprehensive examination)
Oral dissertation defense, involving the final thesis exam
The objective of the Ph.D. program is to provide students with advanced education in the teaching and learning of science. These advanced studies will enable graduates to conduct theoretical and practical research in science education; develop and evaluate curriculum; prepare future teachers; provide professional development to in-service teachers; or become a leader in public school education at the state or local levels.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | (30) | |
| MSED 545 | Statistics for Educators I | 3 |
| MSED 546 | Statistics for Educators II | 3 |
| MSED 550 | Clinical Supervision in Science/Mathematics | 3 |
| MSED 552 | Assessment and Evaluation | 3 |
| MSED 554 | Middle and Secondary Level Science Curriculum | 3 |
| MSED 580 | Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| MSED 601 | Critical Analysis in Quantitative Research | 3 |
| MSED 602 | Quantitative Research Design and Practicum | 3 |
| MSED 603 | Critical Analysis in Qualitative Research | 3 |
| MSED 604 | Qualitative Research Design and Praticum | 3 |
| Electives | (29) | |
| Select a minimum of 9 credit hours from the following: | 9 | |
| Advanced Strategies: Science | 3 | |
| Teacher Education/Professional Development in Science | 3 | |
| Inquiry and Problem Solving | 3 | |
| Informal Education Practicum | 3 | |
| Action Research I | 1-3 | |
| Inquiry and Nature of Science | 3 | |
| Special Projects | 1-6 | |
| Special Problems | 1-9 | |
| Up to 8 credit hours from discipline-specific graduate coursework | 8 | |
| 12 credit hours of select coursework from discipline-specific science courses/related fields | 12 | |
| Ph.D. Research | (25) | |
| MSED 691 | Ph.D. Thesis Research (minimum 25 credit hours) | 25 |
| Total Credit Hours | 84 | |
42 maximum transfer of graduate credit hours from master’s (24 credit hours from coursework/8 credit hours from research)
