Degree Title and Name:  Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Education

Program Name and Number:  Mathematics Education – PH6245

Department/Unit:  Department of Teacher Education

Delivery Mode:  Athens Campus

Term(s) of Entry:  Fall, Summer

Program Overview:  The Ph.D. in Mathematics Education develops scholars who study teaching, learning, and assessment in mathematics—kindergarten through college.  The program prepares these scholars to act as stewards of the field of mathematics education, with all its complexity and diversity. The program participants conduct research in curriculum, instruction, learning, assessment, professional development, teacher beliefs, and student attitudes.  Students in the PhD program not only learn how to conduct such research but also serve in apprenticeship roles in teacher preparation and professional development to prepare them for university faculty positions and other leadership roles in mathematics education. The program in is built on a common foundation of learning theory, the social and cultural contexts of 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 Mathematics 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 Mathematics Education and prepare the student for future research. Every student in the PhD program in Mathematics Education has the opportunity to construct a highly individualized program based on each scholar’s career goals. Specializations are available based on the expertise of doctoral faculty. This program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. As a full-time program, degree completion in 4–5 years is typical.

Program Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the program, doctoral candidates will be able to:

• Demonstrate a strong foundation in mathematics subject matter.
• Use their understanding of how PK–16 students learn and engage with mathematics to develop, evaluate, and investigate rigorous and equitable mathematics education curriculum, teaching, assessment, and technology.
• Describe and evaluate research methodologies appropriate to the study of mathematics education.
• Use equitable and inclusive teaching and assessment practices that are responsive to diverse learners and incorporate appropriate use of technology.
• Discuss, evaluate, and synthesize the body of literature central to mathematics education, professional preparation standards for mathematics teachers, and PK–16 mathematics learning standards. 
• Develop skills in teaching college mathematics, mathematics courses for PK–12 teachers, mathematics methods courses for PK–12 teachers, or facilitating professional development for PK–12 teachers.
• Analyzing, evaluate, and synthesize research theories in mathematics education, apply research theories in PK–16 contexts, and support others in applying them in PK–16 contexts.
• Conduct independent research in mathematics education that relies on quantitative, qualitative, or mixed research design and methodology suitable for professional publications and presentations.
• Develop awareness of current trends and issues in education broadly, and mathematics education specifically, that leads to advocacy for learners and teachers.
• Be prepared to accept a university faculty position or other leadership role in the field of mathematics education.

Opportunities for Graduates:  A key strength of the program is its ability to provide individualized programs of study for scholars with a wide variety of interests who seek to serve as leaders in various facets of mathematics education. The Morton Professorship, the OHIO Center for Equity in Mathematics and Science (OCEMS), and the Stevens Literacy Center support the overall program and provide opportunities to participate and gain experience in research, professional development, outreach activities, and teacher education.

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/education/teacher-ed/mathematics-doctorate

Graduation Requirements:  The Mathematics Education doctoral program requires a minimum of 66 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 Mathematics Education will complete a common core of doctoral course work as detailed below. Teaching & Learning core and Research Core may exceed the minimum number of courses listed below. The following requirements must be satisfied to graduate:

Minimum Total Credits:  76 semester credit hours including the dissertation

Students completing the program full-time (12 hours per semester), typically complete the program in 4–5 years and are typically in residence at the Athens campus of Ohio University at least 2 years.

• Foundations Core: minimum 5 semester hours
  • EDTE 8900. (1 hour). First-Year Doctoral Seminar
  • A graduate level graduate level course (5000 level or above) focused on critical studies chosen in consultation with doctoral committee
• Teaching & Learning Core: minimum 15 semester hours
  • EDTE 7150. (3 hours). Theories of Curriculum Change
  • EDTE 7160. (3 hours). Theories of Instructional Change
  • EDTE 7920. (6 hours). Curriculum and Instruction Practicum
  • EDTE 8000. (3 hours). Advanced Dynamics of Human Learning
• Research Core: minimum 22 semester hours
  • EDRE 7200. (4 hours). Educational Statistics
  • EDRE 7210. (4 hours). Regression Analysis in Education
  • EDRE 7330. (4 hours). Research Design in Education
  • EDRE 7500. (4 hours). Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Education
  • EDTE 8040. (3 hours). Writing for Professional Publication in Education
  • One additional graduate-level research course chosen in consultation with doctoral committee
• Mathematics Education Specialization: minimum 24 semester hours
  • Mathematics: minimum 9 hours
    • at least 9 semester hours of graduate level mathematics courses are chosen in consultation with doctoral committee to extend the depth and breadth of prior mathematical proficiency.
  • Mathematics Education: minimum 12 semester hours
    • EDTE 7300. (3 hours). Curriculum in Mathematics Education
    • EDTE 8900. (3 hours). Research in Teacher Education: Assessments in Educational Contexts
    • EDTE 8940. (3 hours). Mathematics Education Through the Lens of Technology
    • One additional graduate level mathematics education course chosen in consultation with doctoral committee
  • Other: minimum 3 hours
    • At least one additional graduate level mathematics or mathematics education course chosen in consultation with doctoral committee
• Dissertation:  minimum 10 semester hours
  • It is expected that all candidates completing a doctoral degree in the Department of Teacher Education will propose, conduct, and prepare a comprehensive written report of an individually designed research study addressing a significant educational issue that will advance the field of mathematics education and will prepare the scholar for future research.

Culminating Experience:  Students will complete a written and oral comprehensive exam and a dissertation.

Admission Requirements:

Applications for a PhD program in the Department of Teacher Education are required to include:

1. Current curriculum vitae or résumé.
2. Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
3. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores.
4. Three letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters should come from both university professors or advisors and employers or professional colleagues.
5. Goal statement. The goal statement should explain why you are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in your chosen program at Ohio University and how it will serve your future career goals.
6. Academic writing sample. This could be a published paper, a paper submitted for a course, a master’s project thesis, or you may wish to construct a new paper
7. International Applicants. To demonstrate English language proficiency, international applicants or applicants whose first language is not English must submit one of two tests completed within the previous 5 years: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This is required even if the applicant has previously attended a U.S. institution or has (or will have) a master’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution. The Department of Teacher Education will NOT waive the English proficiency requirements outlined below under any circumstances:

Unconditional Admission WITH Eligibility for Funding

• TOEFL iBT – 80 Composite, all Section Scores = 17
• IELTS – 6.5 Composite, all Bands 6.5

Unconditional Admission WITHOUT Funding Eligibility

• TOEFL iBT – 70 Composite, Writing 17, all other Section Scores of 15
• – 6.0 Composite, all Bands 6.0

All applications will be reviewed holistically, but prospective PhD students are generally expected to have:

• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent.
• Master’s grade point average of at least 3.4 (4.0 point scale)
• Score of at least 300 (verbal and quantitative combined) on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
• Experience relevant to the individual’s doctoral program or mathematics education specialization area. This might include PK–12 or post-secondary teaching experience, advanced content preparation, inservice professional development or professional development leadership experience, curriculum/standards development and design, etc.

International Students:  This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.