Academic Programs - Early Childhood Education
ATTENTION!
The PhD program in Early Childhood Education is now housed as an emphasis area within the Doctoral Program in Educational Theory and Practice (ETAP). The information below is relevant for PhD students accepted prior to 2013 who are choosing to remain in the PhD in Early Childhood Education program rather than switching to the ETAP program.
PH.D. DEGREE for Non-ETAP Students Only
EXPECTED COURSEWORK
Research Methodology (minimum of 6 courses)
Quantitative Research Methodology (2 courses required)
ERSH 8310 Applied Analysis of Variance Methods in Education
ERSH 8320 Applied Correlation and Regression Methods in Education
or two courses for which ERSH 8310 and 8320 are prerequisites
Qualitative Research Methodology (2 courses required)
ERSH 8400 Qualitative Research Traditions
ERSH 8410 Designing Qualitative Research
or two courses for which ERSH 8400 and 8410 are prerequisites
Additional Coursework on Research Methodology (2 courses required)
Foundations (minimum of 3 courses)
Foundations courses may be selected from offerings either inside or outside of the Department of Elementary and Social Studies Education. Examples of foundations courses include but are not limited to courses on anthropology, history, philosophy, psychology, women’s studies, African American studies, and sociology.
Focus Area (minimum of 6 courses)
Students will develop a focus area comprising a connected set of courses. At least 3 of the minimum 6 courses should come from the Department of Elementary and Social Studies Education. Examples of focus areas include curriculum, diversity, social contexts of learning, learning and development, teacher education, and teaching.
Dissertation and Other Research Hours
The Graduate School requires that a minimum of 3 credits of EDEC 9300 Doctoral Dissertation be included on the program of study. Other courses that are typically part of a student’s program include EDEC 9000 Doctoral Research, EDEC 9600 Educational Research in Elementary Education, and EDEL 9630 Critique of Educational Literature in Elementary Education.
Seminar Requirements:
The nine hours of seminar credit are divided as follows: three hours in an orientation
seminar, three hours in a Research Internship, and three hours in a writing seminar.
Orientation Seminar-3 credit hours
ESSE 8990
All doctoral students will enroll in a 3-credit hour orientation seminar during the first fall of their coursework. This seminar will immerse new students in theory and philosophy and provide them with an overall orientation to the Department faculty and the doctoral program, providing a solid foundation for pursuing research interests.
The Orientation Seminar will be offered in the Fall semester of every academic year.
Writing Seminar – 3 credit hours
ESSE 9200
All doctoral students will enroll in a 3-credit hour writing seminar during their coursework. Students and advisors will work closely together to decide when the taking of the seminar would best benefit the student.
At least one writing seminar will be offered each year: Fall, Spring, or Summer.
Research Internship – 3 credit hours
All doctoral students will enroll in a 3-credit hour Research Internship with a member of the Department of Elementary and Social Studies Education faculty. Details will be discussed with students’ advisors and disseminated on the graduate student listerv.
