PhD in Education

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The PhD in Education is a research-focused program that produces outstanding professionals who can address the nation’s most pressing challenges in the field of education. Specializations in a variety of established and newly emerging fields and a general program are available. For those educators whose particular learning interests are not met by one of the specializations or whose interests are interdisciplinary, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership also offers a self-designed specialization to meet their unique needs.

The PhD in Education learning outcomes will be demonstrated through numerous direct and indirect measures in each of the PhD specializations.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this program, the education professional will:

Synthesize content knowledge, concepts, and principles grounded in a specific educational discipline.
Propose interventions based on the analysis of educational needs.
Design and conduct research that is grounded in theory and based on previous research in the field.
Conduct research that positively impacts social change.
Communicate to multiple audiences via effective oral and written formats.
Advocate for social change that integrates diverse perspectives and demonstrates awareness of global interrelationships.

Specializations

Degree Requirements

Course-Based Specializations

Assessment, Evaluation, and Accountability; Educational Technology; Leadership, Policy, and Change; and Learning, Instruction, and Innovation specializations

85–96 total quarter credit hours
Foundation courses
Courses and Research Sequence
Proposal, dissertation, and oral presentations (20 cr.)
Satisfactory progress in
EDUC 8900
or
EDUC 9001
while enrolled
Four PhD residencies
Minimum 8 quarters enrollment
ePortfolio

Mixed-Model (KAM/Course) Specializations

General Program; Adult Education Leadership; Community College Leadership; Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment; Early Childhood Education; Global and Comparative Education; Higher Education; Special Education; and Self-Designed specializations

96 total quarter credit hours
Foundation courses (12 cr.)
KAMs and/or courses and Research Sequence (64 cr.)
Satisfactory progress in
EDUC 8800
or
EDUC 9002
while enrolled
Proposal, dissertation, and oral presentations (20 cr.)
Four PhD residencies
Minimum 8 quarters enrollment
ePortfolio

Course Sequence

Course-Based Format (except for the Educational Technology specialization)

Quarter	Course	Credits
1	EDUC 8110 - Development of the Scholar-Practitioner	4 cr.
2	EDUC 8111 - Principles of Social Change	4 cr.
3	EDUC 8112 - Social Change in Education	4 cr.
4	EDUC 8113 - The Learner Across the Lifespan	4 cr.
5	EDUC 8114 - Learning and Instruction or Specialization course *	4 cr.
6	EDUC 8115 - Assessment and Accountability in Education	4 cr.
7	EDUC 8116 - Leadership in a Global Society or Specialization course *	4 cr.
8	EDUC 8117 - Educational Organizations and Contexts or Specialization course *	4 cr.
9	EDUC 8118 - Innovation and Change in Education	4 cr.
10	Specialization courses	24 cr.**
11	RSCH 8350D - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis	4 cr.
12	RSCH 8200D - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis	4 cr.
13	RSCH 8300D - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis	4 cr.
14	Advanced research courses: RSCH 8250D - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis and RSCH 8350D - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis or RSCH 8450D - Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis	4 cr.
15	EDUC 8900 - Dissertation Companion (if required)	0 cr.
16	EDUC 9001 - Dissertation	20 cr.
Timing of residencies
Residency 1: Upon enrollment in program
Residency 2: Within 18 months of start date or linked to registration in or completion of first research course
Residency 3: By the end of third year
Residency 4: During third year and beyond

*Educational Technology specialization requires additional specialization courses in place of these core courses.

Mixed-Model Format

Quarter	Course	Credits
1	EDUC 8110 - Development of the Scholar-Practitioner	4 cr.
2	EDUC 8111 - Principles of Social Change	4 cr.
3	EDUC 8112 - Social Change in Education	4 cr.
4	EDUC 8113 - The Learner Across the Lifespan	4 cr.
5	EDUC 8114 - Learning and Instruction or specialization course *	4 cr.
6	EDUC 8115 - Assessment and Accountability in Education	4 cr.
7	EDUC 8116 - Leadership in a Global Society or specialization course *	4 cr.
8	EDUC 8117 - Educational Organizations and Contexts or specialization course *	4 cr.
9	EDUC 8118 - Innovation and Change in Education	4 cr.
10	KAM V	12 cr.
11	KAM VI	12 cr.
12	RSCH 8100D - Research Theory, Design, and Methods	4 cr.
13	RSCH 8200D - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis	4 cr.
14	RSCH 8300D - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis	4 cr.
15	Advanced research courses: RSCH 8250D - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis and RSCH 8350D - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis or RSCH 8450D - Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis	4 cr.
16	EDUC 8900 - Dissertation Companion (if required)	0 cr.
17	EDUC 9001 - Dissertation	20 cr.
Timing of residencies
Residency 1: Upon enrollment in program
Residency 2: Within 18 months of start date or linked to registration in or completion of first research course
Residency 3: By the end of third year
Residency 4: During third year and beyond

Program Data

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