Mathematics Education, Ph.D.

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Major Code: 9127	Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy
Delivery Mode(s): Classroom, Field	Age Restriction: No
Admission Status: Graduate	Location(s): Main Campus - Melbourne
Admission Materials: 3 letters of recommendation, résumé, objectives

The doctor of philosophy program is designed to provide increased competence in mathematics, mathematics education and research. Recipients gain the appropriate knowledge and skills for positions in college and university mathematics education programs; teaching, administration and supervisory posts in state and local school systems; positions teaching mathematics in community colleges, liberal arts colleges and introductory mathematics courses in universities; and as research directors in mathematics education.

The focus of the Ph.D. is typically theoretical, and dissertation research is oriented for the student going into a university graduate teaching and research setting.

Admission Requirements

An applicant to the doctoral program in mathematics education must have a master’s degree in mathematics or mathematics education, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Although not required, at least three years’ teaching experience is also highly recommended.

General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 42 credit hours beyond the master’s degree is required to earn the doctoral degree. These credit hours include the following core courses that must be taken at Florida Tech (exceptions may be considered only through a written petition to be reviewed by the department’s graduate faculty).

Before graduating, the student must present a dissertation seminar that is open to anyone. In addition and also before graduating, the student must prepare a manuscript based on work undetaken for the dissertation and submit it for publication to a peer-reviewed journal.

General degree requirements are presented in the Academic Overview section.

Required Courses

EDS 5070 Educational Statistics
EDS 5095 Essentials of Educational Research
EDS 5203 Theories and Trends in Education
EDS 6070 Statistics for Educational Research
Additionally, students must satisfactorily complete three semester credit hours of Readings in Educational Research (EDS 6000 ) and three semester credit hours of Research Practicum (EDS 6010 ). The remainder of the requirements include at least 18 semester credit hours of Dissertation (EDS 6999 ), at least six semester credit hours of electives and completion of the major technical area requirement.

General degree requirements are presented in the Academic Overview section.

Curriculum

Major Technical Area Requirement
A minimum of 21 master’s degree-eligible semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree must be taken in mathematics. These may include courses from previous graduate degrees as well as courses taken as part of the Ph.D. program.

Comprehensive Examination Requirement
Written comprehensives and oral comprehensives must be completed in the same semester. The doctoral comprehensive examinations are given in the last full week of September and January.