Degree Title: Doctor of Philosophy

Program Name and Number: Science Education - PH6856

Department/Unit: Teacher Education

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Program Mission: The mission of the program is to prepare candidates for university faculty positions and other leadership roles in the field of Science Education.

Program Learning Objectives: By the end of the program, doctoral candidates will:

• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in a common core of competencies and in the field of Science Education
• Be prepared to accept a university faculty position or other leadership role in the field of Science Education.

Program Overview:  The Ph.D. program in Science Education is built on a common foundation of learning theory, the social and cultural contexts of school education, curriculum and instruction theory, the moral and ethical dimensions of leadership, and quantitative and qualitative research methods. It is expected that all students completing a doctoral degree in Science Education will demonstrate knowledge and skills in a common core of competencies plus an area of specialization and successfully complete a dissertation. For each individual scholar, coursework serves as the basis for investigating a significant educational issue that will advance the field of Science Education and prepare him or her for future research. Every student in the Ph.D. program in Science Education has the opportunity to construct a highly individualized program based on his or her career goals. Specializations are available based on the expertise of doctoral faculty.

Graduation Requirements: The Science Education doctoral program requires a minimum of 54 semester hours beyond the master’s degree plus dissertation (minimum of 10 additional semester hours). It is expected that all students completing a doctoral degree with a specialization in Science Education will complete a common core of doctoral course work as detailed below. Teaching & Learning and Research may exceed the minimum number of courses listed below.

Minimum Total Credits:  54 credit hours plus dissertation

• Teaching & Learning Core: minimum 15 semester hours
  • EDTE 7150 Theories of Curriculum Change 
  • EDTE 7160 Theories of Instructional Change
  • EDTE 7920 Curriculum and Instruction Practicum
  • EDTE 8000 Advanced Dynamics of Human Learning
• Research Core: minimum 19 semester hours
  • EDRE 7200 Educational Statistics
  • EDRE 7330 Research Design in Education  
  • EDRE 7500 Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Education
  • EDTE 8040 Writing for Professional Publication in Education
• Science Education Specialization: minimum 20 semester hours, to include:
  • EDTE 7400 Curriculum in Science Education
  • EDTE 7900 Advanced Seminar in Education Research
  • EDTE 8941 Research in Science Education
  • EDTE 8923 Practicum in Science Education
• Dissertation: minimum 10 semester hours
  • In addition to the common core of courses, it is expected that all candidates completing a doctoral degree in the Department of Teacher Education will successfully complete a dissertation. 

Admission Requirements for U.S. citizens, permanent residents and international students whose first language is English.

Applications for a PhD program in the Department of Teacher Education must include:

• Undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Autobiography – The autobiography should include relevant personal and professional information about the applicant, including a statement concerning long-range career goals (no more than two pages).
• Academic writing sample (examples may include published paper, paper submitted for a course, or master’s project thesis).
• Experience – Based on the nature and extent appropriate to the individual doctoral program as defined by each program area.

All applications will be reviewed holistically, however, prospective PhD students generally should have:

1. Master’s grade point average of at least 3.40 (4.00 point scale) and a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent.
2. Score of at least 300 (verbal and quantitative combined) on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

Admission Requirements beyond the university minimum for international students whose first language is not English.

1. Score of at least 300 (verbal and quantitative) on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
2. Three letters of recommendation – Two of the recommendations should be from college professors and one from an employer or professional colleague. The recommendations should be submitted in English; or, if the recommendations are in the native language, the original should be accompanied by a certified translation.
3. Autobiography – This is not to exceed two typewritten pages. The autobiography should be submitted in English; or, if the autobiography is written in the native language, the original should be accompanied by a certified translation. This autobiography, as a minimum, should include the following information: educational experiences; professional work experiences; career goals; future expectations; major influencing factors in your life; professional organizations; why you are selecting Ohio University and the particular program you are applying to. You may include other information that you feel is relevant.
4. Academic writing sample (examples may include published paper, paper submitted for a course, or master’s project thesis).