Academic Programs - Doctoral Program in Educational Theory and Practice (ETAP)
Elementary Education
The PhD program in Elementary Education is now housed as an emphasis area within the Doctoral Program in Educational Theory and Practice (ETAP). For students admitted before 2013 who have not changed to ETAP, see “Ph.D. for Non-ETAP Students” for admissions, program of study and other program-related information.
This Ph.D. emphasis area focuses on the study of elementary school children; the adults who educate them; the educational settings and social contexts that serve them; and curriculum and policy issues in Elementary Education. We see the field of elementary education as an intellectual space in which scholars focus broadly on issue(s) that cut across content areas and other fields such as curriculum theory, pedagogy, and social contexts of education.
This emphasis area addresses the needs and challenges of elementary education locally, nationally, and globally. Graduates of this emphasis area are prepared for careers as Elementary Education researchers, teacher educators, leaders, and policy-makers. The emphasis area focuses on the diversity of learners, practitioners, families, and settings; multiculturalism; socio-cultural contexts; and international/comparative studies as they take lived shape in Elementary Education.
Required Courses (10 credits)
- EDEL 9XXX: (3) Theories and Critique of Elementary Education.
- EDEL 9XXX: (3) Discourses of Elementary Education.
- EDEL 9XXX: (3) Philosophies and Pedagogies in Elementary Schooling.
- EDMS 9140: (1) Teaching Internship
Elective courses (12 credits)
These courses may be selected from offerings either inside or outside the Department of Educational Theory and Practice. Because of the interdisciplinary focus of elementary education, most doctoral students in this emphasis area will be encouraged to take courses outside of the department of elementary and social studies education. The elective courses will be decided based upon the scholarly interests of the student and in collaboration with the major advisor. Examples of these elective courses include but are not limited to courses in mathematics education, science education, language and literacy education, special education, philosophy, gifted and creative education, educational psychology, instructional technology, educational administration and policy, geography, anthropology.
Core faculty: Cheryl Fields-Smith, Lew Allen, Martha Allexsaht-Snider, Betty Bisplinghoff, Cynthia Dillard, Denise Glynn, Jennifer James, Stephanie Jones, Bettina Love, Ajay Sharma, Beth Tolley
