| Major Code: 9126 |
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy |
| Delivery Mode(s): Classroom |
Age Restriction: No |
| Admission Status: Graduate |
Location(s): Main Campus - Melbourne |
| Admission Materials: transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, résumé, objectives |
The primary purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in STEM Education is to increase competence in a specialty area of STEM education (science education, mathematics education, educational technology), including competence in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). Recipients gain appropriate knowledge and skills for teaching, supervisory, research and administrative positions in: college and university STEM education programs; state and local school systems; and community and state colleges, liberal arts colleges and university programs in STEM fields.
The focus of the Ph.D. program is typically theoretical, with attention to relevant research and practice. Dissertation research is oriented for the student going into a college/university teaching and research setting.
Graduate courses in education are offered in the evening to allow working professionals to complete these coursework requirements.
Admission Requirements
Applicants should hold a master’s degree in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) or in a related area of K-16 STEM education, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Although not required, at least three years of teaching experience is highly recommended.
Applicants must submit the application materials listed above, including a statement of purpose that describes their background and reasons for doctoral study in STEM education and in the area in which they wish to specialize.
General admission requirements and the application process are presented under General Academic Information (all students) and Graduate Academic Information .
Degree Requirements
The Ph.D. program requires successful completion of a major technical area, in addition to the minimum of 42 credit hours beyond the master’s degree, which includes core courses, electives and dissertation research. A candidate for the doctoral degree must maintain a program grade point average of 3.2 or better throughout the 42 credit-hour program.
After the core coursework has been completed, the student must successfully complete written and oral comprehensive examinations. Typically, written comprehensive examinations are given in the last full week of January. A four-member committee approved by the program chair, department head and graduate programs office administers the written and oral comprehensive examinations. lt is the responsibility of the student to organize this committee and to schedule the oral examination, following doctoral program policies/procedures and in consultation with their academic advisor.
Before graduating, the student must present their dissertation in an open seminar. ln addition, the student must prepare a manuscript based on work undertaken for their research and submit it for publication to a peer-reviewed journal.
General degree requirements are presented under Graduate Academic Information .
Curriculum
Each student must establish an appropriate program of study with the guidance of their academic advisor, subject to final approval by the program chair and department head.
Major Technical Area
A minimum of 21 master’s degree-eligible credits beyond the bachelor’s degree must be completed in a major technical area within their selected STEM field (science, mathematics, educational technology). This may include courses previously applied to graduate degrees/study, courses taken as part of the Ph.D. program and any other credit hours from approved post-baccalaureate courses in the selected major technical area.
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