Coursework for the Ph.D. in Education
The Doctor of Philosophy degree represents the highest level of achievement in formal education. As such, this degree signifies the attainment of an advanced level of scholarship and the possession of scholarly dispositions and habits. Individuals awarded the Ph.D. in Education by the School of Education at the University of Delaware are prepared to make significant contributions to the field of education, and they do this, first and foremost, by conducting research that answers important questions about the nature of education.
The Ph.D. program includes core coursework in two Proseminars that introduce first year students to the breadth of educational topics and inquiry, and three courses that introduce students to quantitative, qualitative, and epistemological approaches to educational research. Intensive coursework from a specialized area of knowledge provides the student with a depth of understanding that is situated in a series of research projects and studies. Through the Colloquium course and lecture series, distinguished visiting scholars provide students with the opportunity to discuss current topics and research.
Suggested Schedule of Courses
Printed below is the four-year schedule students typically follow to complete the Ph.D. in Education program. Students may earn an M.A. in Education degree by successfully completing the doctoral core coursework, twelve credit hours of specialization coursework, three credits of Colloquium, and passing the Proseminar Assessment.
Fall of Year 1
- EDUC 806: Proseminar II, 4 credits
- EDUC 850: Qualitative Research Methods, 3 credits
- Specialization Course, 3 credits
- EDUC 840: Colloquium, 1 credit
Spring of Year 1
- EDUC 805: Proseminar I, 4 credits
- EDUC 856: Introduction to Statistical Inference, 3 credits
- Specialization Course, 3 credits
- EDUC 840: Colloquium, 1 credit
Fall of Year 2
- EDUC 852: Critical/Interpersonal Research Methods, 3 credits
- Specialization Course, 3 credits
- Supervised Research or Other Coursework in IPP*, 3 credits
- EDUC 840: Colloquium, 1 credit
Spring of Year 2
- Specialization Course, 3 credits
- Specialization Course, 3 credits
- Supervised Research or Other Coursework in IPP*, 3 credits
- EDUC 840: Colloquium, 1 credit
Fall of Year 3
- Specialization Course, 3 credits
- Supervised Research or Other Coursework in IPP*, 6 credits
Spring of Year 3
- EDUC 964: Pre-Candidacy** or EDUC 969: Doctoral Dissertation, 9 credits
Fall of Year 4
- EDUC 964: Pre-Candidacy** or EDUC 969: Doctoral Dissertation, 9 credits
Spring of Year 4
- EDUC 969: Doctoral Dissertation, 9 credits
*Individual Program Plan, constructed by the student and her/his advisor no later than the end of the third semester in the program.
**A total of 9 credit hours of Doctoral Dissertation (EDUC 969) are required of all students to satisfy degree requirements. After all required program coursework is completed, but before they advance to Candidacy by successfully defending their Dissertation Proposal, students enroll in Pre-Candidacy Study (EDUC 964). Graduate students are required to be registered for courses every semester, including the semester in which their degree is conferred, unless they are on an approved Leave of Absence.
