The Science Education Unit at Georgia State University carefully chooses individuals whom they think have the capability, desire, commitment, and dedication to contribute to the solution of problems facing science education and to help lead the science education community into a better future. A large part of our vision for science education is a strong sense of community and collaborative scholarly work. It is very important that the advanced graduate students and the faculty have a shared vision of science education. In a very real sense we are all on the same journey and have the same aspirations for science education.
A variety of professional growth experiences are incorporated during the Doctoral program. Doctoral students are expected to take a proactive role in selecting and planning, in consultation with their advisor, a rich array of experiences that have personal and professional relevance. Residency and Internships are the two primary vehicles for accomplishing such goals.
The Doctoral Comprehensive Exam is intended to be a task of sufficient breadth, depth and rigor to challenge and inspire the best performance by a candidate. Such assessment should provide more of a reality check of readiness to proceed to the dissertation stage than demonstrating achievement of some arbitrary level of quality. The Dissertation is a scholarly work of research that contributes to the body of knowledge focusing on learning and teaching science. As the culminating experience of the doctoral program, the successful dissertation demonstrates the doctoral student's integration of theory, practice and research in one of the many facets of science teaching and learning.
Ph.D. Program of Study- Teaching and Learning
Program Degree Requirements for the Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning with concentration in Science Education
A. Core Area (18)
The Core Area consists of 15 semester hours of research coursework and 3 semester hours of Social Foundation of Education and Psychology of Learning coursework.
Research Core (15 hours)
Choose one course (3):
EPRS 8500 Qualitative/Interpretive Research in Education (3)
EPRS 8530 Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education (3)
Required (12):
A two course sequence (6 hours) in research methodology (for specific tracks/courses: http://education.gsu.edu/main/phd_requirement.htm)
Two courses (6 hours) in advanced research methods as identified by the Doctoral Advisory Committee
Social Foundations of Education and Psychology of Learning course (3) [for specific courses: http://education.gsu.edu/main/phd_requirement.htm]
B. Major Area (18)
Required (18)
EDCI 9850 Research Seminar (3)
EDCI 9900 Critique of Educational Research (3)
EDSC 8430 Nature of Science (3)
EDSC 9870 Seminar in Teaching and Learning (9) (repeatable course taken three times)
C. Cognate Area (18)
Required (6):
EDCI 8970 Seminar in Teaching and Learning (3)
EDCI 9660 Internship (3)
Select (12): The student and Doctoral Advisory Committee select additional coursework.
D. Dissertation (15)
Required (15):
EDCI 9990 Dissertation (15)
Program total: Minimum of 69 semester hours