Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Education: Early Childhood Education

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education: Early Childhood Education is a hybrid program that qualifies students for leadership positions in child development. This program equips students with the credentials and experience to direct early childhood education centers, formulate policy, conduct research, design learning programs, and participate in high-level initiatives.

Program Overview

Oakland University's Ph.D. in early childhood education takes an interdisciplinary approach, preparing students to work on collaborative teams with professionals in family services, public administration, disability services, and other aligned disciplines. Designed for working adults who have full-time jobs, this doctoral program influences young children, families, teachers, and whole communities.

Program Structure

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education: Early Childhood Education is available on either a part-time or full-time basis. This doctoral degree in early childhood education offers:

• Comprehensive professional training: Developing well-rounded, applied expertise in all aspects of early childhood education, including pedagogy, curriculum development, program design and evaluation, applied research, education policy, and learning technology.
• Robust field experience: Field-based courses in policy/programming and education, hand-picked to fit prior experience and career objectives, connecting students with children and families from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Personalized faculty guidance: Working closely with seasoned early childhood educators who support students academically and professionally.
• A supportive culture: Operating on a cohort model, with a heavy emphasis on seminar courses that promote interaction and camaraderie, developing long-lasting relationships.
• Extensive community partnerships: Having access to Oakland University's broad network of partnerships with school districts, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other early childhood education stakeholders.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from the early childhood education Ph.D. program have an excellent record of professional success, possessing strong cultural competence to serve diverse communities. They enter the job market with a versatile skill set, demonstrated achievements, and a research portfolio, qualified to pursue careers in:

• College or university teaching
• School district consulting
• Government agency administration
• Nonprofit leadership
• Independent research
• Programming design
• Public policy

Program Requirements

The Early Childhood Education doctoral program consists of 68 credits beyond the master's degree, divided as follows:

• Foundation core (12 credits)
• Department core (28 credits)
• Cognate (16 credits)
• Dissertation (12 credits minimum)

The foundation core covers research methodology, analytical methods, and professional standards. The department core includes coursework in curriculum design, policy studies, special education, and theories of early learning, plus two field-based projects.

Related Programs

For those unsure if the early childhood education doctoral program is right for them, Oakland University offers other graduate degree programs, including:

• Ph.D. in Education: Educational Leadership
• Master of Education in Early Childhood Education

Accreditation

Oakland University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.