Doctor of Philosophy in Social Studies Education

Social Studies Education – PH6224

Department of Teacher Education
Patton Hall, Suite 309
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
740.593.4400
TEgraduate.doctorate@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

Program Overview

The Ph.D. program in Social Studies 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 Social Studies 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 Social Studies Education and prepare him or her for future research. Every student in the Ph.D. program in Social Studies 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. This program can be completed full- or part-time. For a full-time student, program degree completion in four years is typical, with at least two years in residence at the Athens campus of Ohio University.

Program Learning Outcomes

By the end of the program, doctoral candidates will:

• Demonstrate a strong foundation in the social studies subject matter.
• Gain an understanding of how PK-16 students learn and engage with social studies.
• Become familiar with research methodologies appropriate to the study of social studies education.
• Learn to use equitable and inclusive teaching and assessment practices that are responsive to diverse learners and incorporate appropriate use of technology.
• Become knowledgeable about the body of literature central to social studies education, professional preparation standards for social studies teachers, and K-12 social studies learning standards. 
• Develop skills in teaching social studies methods courses for K-12 teachers or facilitating professional development for K-12 teachers.
• Develop an awareness of local and global issues relate to social studies education.
• Gain experience and knowledge in analyzing, evaluating, synthesizing research theories in social studies education, and applying them and supporting others in applying them in K-16 contexts.
• Conduct independent research in social studies education that relies on quantitative and/or qualitative research design and methodology suitable for professional publication and presentations.
• Develop awareness of current trends and issues in education broadly, and social studies 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 Social Studies 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), 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.

Further Information

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

Admission Requirements

Applications for a Ph.D. program in the Department of Teacher Education are required to include:

1. Current curriculum vita/resume; at least 2 pages and not to exceed four pages.
2. Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Applicants should submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as part of the online application. If you have attended Ohio University, the Graduate College will add those transcripts in the system for you. Please note that a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent is required.
3. Three letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters should come from both college professors or advisors and employers or professional colleagues.
4. 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. In doing so applicants will likely reference educational experiences, professional work experiences, and leadership experiences. Applicants might also identify an educational problem or concern that drives you to pursue a doctoral degree. Because the PhD is a research degree, applicants can identify a potential topic (or topics) as research interests, but a fully developed research agenda is not required. The statement is not to exceed two double-spaced typewritten pages. Please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator if you have questions about the goal statement.
5. Academic writing sample. Submit a piece of academic writing that demonstrates both technical writing skills and the ability to make logical claims and support them with evidence and references. The writing sample could be a published paper, a paper submitted for a course, a master’s project thesis, or a new paper can be composed. The Graduate Program Coordinator can offer assistance in choosing an appropriate sample and, if an appropriate sample is not available, can provide a writing prompt to which you may respond.
6. International Applicants. Non-native speakers of English must submit official results of one of two standardized tests: 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. Certification of completion of another institution’s English Language Program will not be accepted. Official TOEFL or IELTS scores must be reported directly from the testing agency to Ohio University. Photocopies and/or faxes of English proficiency scores are not accepted. Ohio University can no longer issue an I-20 to a student with the provision to test upon arrival. Please take note of the Graduate College English proficiency requirements. The department of Teacher Education will not accept scores more than five years old.

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
• IELTS – 6.0 Composite, all Bands 6.0

All applications will be reviewed holistically, but 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 3.40 (4.00 point scale)
• 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.

Graduation Requirements

The Social Studies doctoral program requires a minimum of 72 semester hours beyond the master’s degree.