Program Overview

Discipline Based Education Research Doctorate

The Discipline Based Education Research (DBER) Ph.D. program is an interdisciplinary graduate program that provides students with an academic home in the STEM department or program of their discipline preference. A Dual Major in DBER and a STEM discipline is an option.

Program Information

• The program offers a Ph.D. or Second Major (if proceeding with the dual major option).
• Although interdisciplinary in nature, graduate students in the DBER Ph.D. program have an academic home in the STEM department/program of their discipline preference.

Course Requirements

• Core Didactic Courses (9 SH):
  • STEM 810: Teaching College Science (3 credits)
  • STEM 820: STEM Curriculum and Instruction (3 credits)
  • STEM 830: Research Methods in STEM Education (3 credits)
• Educational Research Seminar (continuing enrollment throughout the program, each Fall & Spring semester):
  • EDUC 790: Graduate Seminar (1 credit)
• Elective Graduate Courses in STEM Discipline and/or STEM Education: 18 credits (minimum of 18 SH, to meet the minimum of 27 SH coursework requirement)
• Didactic courses selected with the approval of the graduate committee to strengthen preparation in the STEM discipline, educational research, and/or in education.
• Doctoral Dissertation (minimum 9 credits):
  • EDUC 899: Doctoral Dissertation

Admission and Application Requirements

• Graduate School admission and application requirements are found on the Admission Information page.
• In addition, this program requires applicants to consult with faculty members in advance to determine a major advisor. Applicants will not be considered without a core faculty member who has agreed to serve as the advisor.
• Applicants for the DBER Ph.D. program must meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • Completed a master's (or Ph.D.) degree in a STEM discipline.
  • Accepted into an NDSU master's program in a STEM discipline.
  • Accepted into an NDSU Ph.D. program in a STEM discipline.