Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education, PhD

The Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education prepare graduates to serve as researchers and teacher educators in universities and colleges, curriculum developers and evaluators in educational agencies, curriculum specialists in school districts and state departments of education, and instructional leaders and classroom teachers in K-12 schools.

Coursework and research experiences address a range of practice-based and theoretical problems in schools and community settings from sociopolitical, cultural, philosophical, psychological, and historical perspectives. Taking an interdisciplinary stance, faculty and students explore issues of equity, social justice and educational change in a range of formal and informal educational settings. Through their programs of study, students select focal areas such as teaching and learning, research and practice in teacher education, mathematics or science education, and the study of urban education and urban contexts. Applicants interested in the focal area of literacy are encouraged to consider the doctoral program in Reading/Writing/Literacy.

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs.

The program requires a minimum of 12 course units beyond the master's degree.

Conceptualization/Content Strand
Required Courses
EDUC 9126Doctoral Foundations of Teaching and Learning1
EDUC 7140Social Foundations of Teaching and Learning1
Select one course in Teacher Learning or Teacher Education such as: 11
Research on Teacher Education and Learning to Teach
Elective Courses
Select a minimum of 3 electives 23
Investigation/Inquiry Strand
Required Courses
EDUC 7460Qualitative Research: Concepts, Methods and Design1
EDUC 7667Regression and Analysis of Variance1
Select one Advanced Research Methods course, such as:1
Advanced Qualitative and Case Study Research
Ethnographic Research Methods
Professional Experiences 3
Required Course
EDUC 7132Doctoral Proseminar on Education Research1
Electives
Select 2 electives2
Total Course Units12
1

Chosen in consultation with an advisor.

2

Electives may be taken outside of GSE with advisor approval. Electives must be 5000 level or above.

3

A non-credit bearing Research Apprenticeship Course is required from second semester of first year forward in the Professional Experiences Strand. 

Required Milestones

Qualifications Evaluation (Also known as Program Candidacy)

A Qualifications Evaluation of each student is conducted after the completion of 6 but not more than 8 course units. The evaluation is designed by the specialization faculty and may be based on an examination or on a review of a student’s overall academic progress.

Preliminary Examination (Also known as Doctoral Candidacy)

A Candidacy Examination on the major subject area is required.  The candidacy examination is a test of knowledge in the student's area of specialization, requiring students to demonstrate knowledge and reasoning in the key content areas in their specialization as defined by their academic division. This examination is normally held after the candidate has completed all required courses.

Oral Proposal

All doctoral candidates must present their dissertation proposals orally and in person to the dissertation committee.

Final Defense of the Dissertation

The final dissertation defense is approximately two hours in length and is based upon the candidate’s dissertation. 


The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.