Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)

Educational Leadership in Academia, Government, and the Private Sector

The University of New Brunswick's Faculty of Education PhD degree prepares students for solid foundations in education within academic, government, or private sectors. The PhD program requires a dissertation on original and significant research within the field of education. Doctoral studies in education will help students to study, design, and conduct research at an advanced level, develop the competence and expertise needed to assume positions of educational leadership, and work collaboratively with colleagues in educational endeavors and to continue their professional development. The Faculty of Education PhD program has one application deadline date of December 1. The program's primary goals include assisting individuals to study at an advanced level, gaining in-depth knowledge and critical and comprehensive understanding of a specific area or several related areas within the field of education, formulating and expressing personal and professional positions in their area of interest, developing an understanding of and ability to use and evaluate research methodologies which typify educational research, and designing and presenting a proposal for an approved research project of significance in the field of education. Students will complete the proposed research under the supervision of faculty members, then write and orally defend a dissertation, and participate in other activities designed to develop competencies in disseminating knowledge to others, planning and conducting research and/or development activities, and leadership roles within formal and/or informal educational institutions, agencies, or communities. The supervisory committee includes the student's supervisor(s), other members who can be from the home faculty, other UNB faculty members, and/or outside persons who are honorary research associates (HRA) in the home faculty. The supervisory committee advises the student on the proposal, recommends that the proposal be accepted by the GAU, carries on with supervision until the time for the oral examination of the dissertation, and recommends to the GAU that the dissertation be forwarded to the SGS for examination. Students are encouraged to apply for Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) graduate scholarship competitions (doctoral awards are $20,000 or $35,000 per year). Graduate students have access to scholarships through the School of Graduate Studies. The PhD program in Education is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field of education, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct original research and assume leadership roles in educational institutions and organizations. The program is committed to fostering a community of scholars who are dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding in the field of education.

Program Objectives

• Gain in-depth knowledge and critical and comprehensive understanding of a specific area or several related areas within the field of education
• Formulate and express, both orally and in writing, personal and professional positions in their area of interest
• Develop an understanding of and ability to use and evaluate research methodologies which typify educational research
• Design and present a proposal for an approved research project of significance in the field of education
• Complete the proposed research under the supervision of faculty members
• Write and orally defend a dissertation
• Participate in other activities designed to develop competencies in:
  • Disseminating knowledge to others
  • Planning and conducting research and/or development activities
  • Leadership roles within formal and/or informal educational institutions, agencies, or communities

PhD Grants and Fellowships

• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) graduate scholarship competitions (doctoral awards are $20,000 or $35,000 per year)
• UNB scholarships through the School of Graduate Studies

Program Requirements

• A dissertation on original and significant research within the field of education
• Completion of a proposal for an approved research project of significance in the field of education
• Oral defense of the dissertation
• Participation in other activities designed to develop competencies in disseminating knowledge, planning and conducting research, and leadership roles

Supervisory Committee

• The student's supervisor(s)
• Other members who can be from the home faculty
• Other UNB faculty members
• Outside persons who are honorary research associates (HRA) in the home faculty
• The supervisory committee advises the student on the proposal, recommends that the proposal be accepted by the GAU, carries on with supervision until the time for the oral examination of the dissertation, and recommends to the GAU that the dissertation be forwarded to the SGS for examination.