Educational Statistics and Research Methods (PhD)

Program Policy Document:

Please see the Program Policy Document for more information.  

Program Requirements for the Ph.D. in Educational Statistics and Research Methods

1. Course work:

Doctoral Core coursework includes two Proseminars that students take in the first two semesters of their program, 15 credits of research methods course courses, 9 credits of additional methods core courses, and one additional methods elective. In addition, students take 6 additional credits of content courses from a specialization area within the Ph.D. in Education. 

The research colloquia expose students to some of the foremost thinkers and researchers in the field of education. Guest scholars are invited to share their research findings with doctoral students and faculty in a setting that encourages collegiality and familiarizes students with a number of scholarly presentation styles and content areas. A one-credit course is offered each semester in conjunction with the colloquium series and students must complete a minimum of 4 credits of colloquium. Although students are required to attend colloquia for 4 semesters (1 credit/semester), they are strongly encouraged to attend every year during their tenure in the program.

Nine hours of dissertation credit is required of all Ph.D. students, and additional coursework may be specified by a student’s advisory committee as part of the student’s Individual Program Plan. A minimum of 55 credit hours is required to complete the Ph.D. program.

2. Scholarly Apprenticeship Requirements:

All students must participate in an annual College Research Forum; submit a publication to a peer-reviewed journal on which they are a coauthor; present their work at a national conference; and develop skills in university teaching.

3. Residency Requirement:

One year in residence (one continuous academic year-9 credit hours per semester) must be completed. Students are strongly encouraged to complete this requirement in the first year.

4. Examinations:

All students must pass an assessment based on the work completed in the Proseminars at the end of the first year. Students must successfully pass the First Year Assessment before they are allowed to enroll in second year courses. This First Year Assessment fulfills the University requirement for a qualifying examination. 

Students must also pass the Fourth Year Exam in order to proceed to the dissertation. The exam assesses student proficiency in integrating various aspects of research methodology to address substantive issues in education.

5. Dissertation proposal:

A written proposal that is defended before one’s advisory committee.

6. Dissertation and defense:

An original work of scholarship, meeting School, University and professional requirements, plus an oral defense of the work.

Program Requirements for the Master of Arts in Education:

The M.A. in Education provides a master’s degree option for Ph.D. students in good standing who want to obtain a master’s degree in conjunction with their doctoral degree, or for students in good standing who must leave the doctoral program prematurely because of family, health, or personal reasons. Students will not be admitted directly to the M.A. program, since the program requirements are embedded within the Ph.D. requirements.

Credits to Total a Minimum of 55

Last Revised for 2024-2025 Academic Year