Program Overview

Introduction to the PhD in STEM Education

The PhD in STEM Education is designed for those who seek to increase their competence in a selected area of STEM education, including competence in a particular STEM field. Recipients gain appropriate knowledge and skills for teaching, supervisory, research, and administrative positions in higher education.

Program Overview

The PhD in STEM Education program has three primary specializations: Science Education, Mathematics Education, and Educational Technology. The program requires completion of a Master's degree, and program requirements include completion of a major technical area (MTA) with 21 graduate credits in a STEM field beyond the Bachelor's degree, and a minimum of 42 credits of PhD coursework and research.

Admission Requirements

Admission to this PhD program requires completion of a Master's degree. Master's graduates who have a strong background in their content field because of their Bachelor's degree and graduate coursework have been admitted into this PhD program.

Coursework

There are three phases of study in this PhD program:

• Phase 1 consists of coursework, both for the MTA requirement and in educational theories and trends, research, and statistics.
• Phase 2 involves the development and defense of a research proposal, with guidance from the major advisor and committee.
• Phase 3 involves carrying out all aspects of the proposed study, collecting and preparing data, running analyses, and completing and defending a dissertation.

Research Opportunities

The PhD program in STEM Education is designed to emphasize coursework and research. Although dissertation studies usually emphasize theory and research, many PhD students also design their study to address needs within a particular area of educational practice.

Faculty

Among the faculty who teach in this program, Dr. Thomas Marcinkowski has received the Walter E. Jeske Award and the award for Outstanding Contributions to Research in Environmental Education. Samantha Fowler has received the Outstanding Position Paper Award from the Southeastern Association for Science Teacher Education.

Career Benefits

This PhD degree is not designed to help doctoral students satisfy credentialing requirements, but rather to become more competitive career-wise. The research background and experience students gain in this PhD program adds depth to their teaching and provides them with insights that aid them in their future research and research advisory work.