Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Social Studies and Civic Education Specialization, Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Program Overview
American public schools were founded, in part, out of the recognition that democracy would only last if there was a common way to educate the citizenry. Educating students in history, government, and economics (the main disciplines that make up “social studies”) prepares them for civic and community life in a democracy. The Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership- Social Studies and Civic Education Specialization prepares students to contribute to the civic mission of schools by conducting scholarly investigations, designing and testing curricula, and preparing teachers in social studies and civic education.
Our program brings together students with diverse interests in teaching, learning and democratic education. Students will understand the depth of research in social studies and civics education, theories of learning, teacher education and professional development, and research methods commonly used by social studies and civics education researchers. You will take doctoral courses designed to provide an overview of the field and elective courses that meet your specific research interests. You will engage in teaching and research opportunities through apprenticeship experiences, guided by expert faculty. You’ll graduate prepared to develop innovations in research, teaching, assessment, and leadership in social studies and civic education.
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Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- Describe and analyze theories, research, and best practices in social studies and civic education.
- Apply conceptual and practical knowledge in social studies and civic education to develop research questions and conduct research in diverse schools and other professional settings.
- Work individually and collaboratively with advisers and peers on to present and publish research findings at research conferences and in professional journals.
- Prepare novice teachers to teach in social studies and civic classrooms and conduct scholarly research in social studies and civic classrooms.
How to Apply
How to Apply
To be considered for admission, you must meet the criteria for the Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership Ph.D. program.
Students must apply directly to the Graduate School for admissions.
Requirements
Program Requirements
On average, our program takes at least four years to complete. Most students admitted to the doctoral program already have a master’s degree. If you have a master’s degree, you will take a minimum of 60 credits. If you do not have a master’s degree, you will take a minimum of 70 credits and work with your advisor to develop an individualized plan that blends master’s level and doctoral level coursework.
The curriculum consists of the courses listed below.
All students in a Ph.D. program in the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership complete a two-course sequence of core, integrated foundational courses:
- TLPL 794: Foundations of Education Inquiry: Core I
- TLPL 795: Foundations of Education Inquiry: Core II
All students complete three, three-credit core courses in the social studies and civic education specialization:
- TLPL 707: Keeping the Republic? Promise & Problems of Civic Education
- TLPL 771: Pedagogies of Teacher Education
- Rotating special topics course or elective in Social Studies/Civic Education
Students work with their advisor to develop a program of study that includes a minimum of 21 credits (generally seven courses) that advance their scholarly interests, including doctoral seminars taught by Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership department faculty as well as doctoral level courses in other departments or units on campus.
Students are required to take at least 12 credit hours of research methods courses, including one qualitative and one quantitative methods course. Students may take research methods courses in Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership, Human Development and Quantitative Methods, or other academic departments.
Once you have completed other coursework requirements, you must enroll in research credits as you complete the dissertation proposal and dissertation:
- TLPL898: Pre-Candidacy Research
- TLPL899: Doctoral Dissertation Research
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