Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Education

Mathematics Education – PH6245

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, Summer

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

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 an individualized program based on the 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. 
• Apply 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.
• Analyze, 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.
• Exhibit their awareness of current trends and issues in education broadly, and mathematics education specifically, that leads to advocacy for learners and teachers.
• Demonstrate that they posess the knowledge and skills needed for 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.

Further Information

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

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. 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 WITHOUT Funding Eligibility

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

Unconditional Admission WITH Eligibility for Funding

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

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)
• Experience relevant to the individual’s doctoral program or mathematics education specialization area. This might include PK–12 or postsecondary 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 Mathematics Education doctoral program requires a minimum of 76 credit hours beyond the master’s degree.