Doctor of Philosophy Concentration

Advising

Ph.D. ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps with advisors

Throughout the process of coursework, qualifying exam, and dissertation research preparation, ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps work closely with their major ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps and committee members.

Doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps in elementary education receive many opportunities to develop as professionals and scholars. The world of academia is quite distinct, and there are several ways for doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps to engage as scholars.Doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps work alongside faculty on research projects, collaborative conference presentations, and collaborative publications.


Components of the Program

Doctoral Committee Membership

Within the first year of the program, ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps select doctoral committee members who challenge and guide their course selection and research opportunities. The committee includes a major ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapp from the Elementary Education Program, a faculty member who represents the cognate field, and at least two other faculty members. Students select the committee members and may modify their committee membership based on changing interests, the need for faculty with different areas of expertise, or faculty availability.

Advanced Graduate Program Coordinator

The Advanced Graduate Program Coordinator serves as the initial advisor to doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps. The coordinator is a research faculty member who assists ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps as they enter the program. The coordinator guides ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps in their initial selection of courses, advises ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps as they select committee members, and supports ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps in their teaching and research endeavors.

The coordinator also directs many aspects of the doctoral program. The coordinator reviews applications and interviews applicants, secures funding and assistantships for ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps, monitors policy changes from the ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapp and the College of Education, guides the development of courses, and monitors the residency experiences of ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps.

Throughout the program, doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps may seek advice and support from the Advanced Graduate Program Coordinator and any member of the faculty. 

Academic Communities

Presentation page

Doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps are expected to begin a focused line of research within the doctoral program. Membership in various professional associations offers doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps the opportunity to read across research journals. In addition, doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps must also attend national conferences to learn from other scholars, and they must publish original research in scholarly journals. There are several funding sources available to support doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapp conference travel. Please visit our Financial Assistance page and also visit the .

Yearly Graduate Assistant Professional Development Conference

Each fall, we hold a two day conference to support the professional learning of graduate ÅÝܽÊÓÆµapps. We engage in community-building activities, planning for coursework, guest speakers from across content areas, and discussing theoretical frameworks of teacher education.