Degree Title and Name:  Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education

Program Name and Number:  Science Education – PH6856

Department/Unit:  Department of Teacher Education

Delivery Mode:  Athens Campus

Term(s) of Entry:  Fall

Program Overview:  The Ph.D. program in Science Education 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 methodologies. In addition to completing a dissertation, it is expected that all students completing a doctoral degree in Science Education will demonstrate knowledge and skills in a common core of competencies and an area of specialization. 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 them for future research. Every student in the PhD program in Science 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. The Ph.D. program in Science Education can be completed full- or part-time. For full-time students, program completion typically requires 4 years.

Program Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the program, doctoral candidates will:

• Demonstrate a strong foundation in a science subject field and the current trends and issues in science education.
• Use their understanding about how PK–16 students learn and engage in science to develop, evaluate, and investigate equitable and inclusive science education curriculum, teaching, assessment, and technology.
• Discuss, evaluate, and synthesize the theories and body of literature central to science education, professional preparation standards for science teachers, and K–12 science learning standards. 
• Develop teaching skills for university-based science and science education courses or professional development.
• Conduct independent empirical research that uses research methodologies appropriate to the study of science education and is suitable for professional publication and presentations.
• Provide leadership and advocacy through science education research and science teacher 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 education. The Center for Clinical Practice, Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools, Institute for Democracy in Education, the Child Development Center, 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/science-doctorate

Graduation Requirements:  The Curriculum & Instruction doctoral program requires a minimum of 62 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 Curriculum & Instruction 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. The following requirements must be satisfied to graduate.

Minimum Total Credits: 72 semester credit hours including dissertation

Students completing the program full-time (12 hours per semester), typically complete the program in 4 years, with at least 2 years of residence at the Athens campus.

• 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 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 student’s doctoral committee
• Specialization: minimum 20 semester hours
  • 20 hours of courses at 7000 level or above to be compatible with the student’s career goals and approved in advance by the student’s program committee. (A cognate may include a limited number of selected, rigorous 5000-6000 level courses with committee approval.)
• 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 science 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 Ph.D. 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; however, prospective Ph.D. 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.