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The Ph.D. program in Education prepares students who seek faculty and research positions in academia, government, and the private sector. Graduates of the program are expected to influence educational practice both in the U.S. and abroad in a variety of capacities. They may become research professors who will contribute to the advancement of knowledge in education, discover exemplary educational practices, or contribute to local and national educational policy. For more information, please see our PDF brochure.
The director of the Ph.D. program is Professor Clark Chinn who can be reached at (732) 932-7496 x8319 or by email at cchinn@rci.rutgers.edu.
Areas of Concentration
The Ph.D. in Education program is built around four areas of concentration. Students in all of the areas of concentration take a common set of methodology courses and proseminars. They also conduct two independent research projects. The four areas of concentration are:
In the Educational Policy focus, students research specific educational policy issues and examine how those policies are formulated and how they are implemented. They also look at the intended and unintended outcomes of these educational policies. Graduates of the program are prepared to seek research positions in academia, government, or business.
The Educational Psychology focus prepares students to advance psychological theory through empirical inquiry and to apply the results to improving educational practice. The program uses the latest scientific theories to explain how people learn, how they teach others, and how they differ from one another. Students apply the results of this basic psychological research to improving the way people are taught and how they learn. A strong background in research methodology is critical to this endeavor.
In the Language and Literacy Education focus, students investigate the range of literacies in a global, multicultural society. They look at particular curricular choices and instructional strategies that foster learning. They examine the authoritative use of language in a wide range of settings and review the history and politics of language and literacy education. Students pay particular attention to the effects of culture, social class, and status on the way language is used, valued, and understood. The Ph.D. is centered on the basic research in contrast to the Ed.D. program which stresses applying and interpreting new discoveries.
The mathematics education focus prepares students to conduct basic research on how people at all ages learn mathematics. Students research how students learn mathematics and the way that individuals solve problems. A strong background in mathematics, statistics, or computer science is required for admission. The program is designed to attract a select pool of students who intend to follow an academic career, as compared to the Ed.D. program, which prepares school leaders in mathematics education.
The specific requirements for each concentration can be found in the pages describing the concentration.
Degree Requirements
The program requires 48 credits of coursework and 24 credits of dissertation research. Details of the requirements can be found in the pages related to the specific areas of concentrations. All students in the Ph.D. program take a common set of courses and take coursework in their area of specialization.
Admissions
Admission to the Ph.D. program is based on a review of each completed application by the program faculty and the Ph.D. director.
All applications are processed through the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 18 Bishop Place, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901-8530, (732)932-7711 or http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/. Completed applications are forwarded to the specific program. Applying and paying the application fee online is the preferred method for submitting an application to Rutgers for immediate processing.
Details about requirements for admission can be found in the pages related to the specific areas of concentrations.
Qualifying Examinations
Students take qualifying examinations at the end of their coursework for the Ph.D. The qualifying examination committee consists of four members of the Ph.D. in Education faculty associated with the particular area of concentration. Once a student has passed the qualifying examinations, the student is admitted as a candidate for the Ph.D. Qualifying examinations are different in the various areas of concentration. More detailed information about these examinations can be found in the pages related to the specific area of concentration.
Dissertation
Students complete an original piece of research as their dissertation project (24 credits). The research is expected to contribute to the knowledge base in the student’s particular area of interest.
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