School of Education

Departmental E-mail: elps@indiana.edu
Department URL: education.indiana.edu/about/departments/leadership
Departmental Phone Number: (812) 856-8370

Graduate Studies Office E-Mail: educate@indiana.edu
School of Education URL: education.indiana.edu/
Degrees and Programs: education.indiana.edu/graduate/programs/index.html

(Please note that when conferring University Graduate School degrees, minors, certificates, and sub-plans, The University Graduate School’s staff use those requirements contained only in The University Graduate School Bulletin.)

Curriculum

Curriculum
Faculty

Degree Offered

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is offered through the University Graduate School. In addition, the School of Education offers the Master of Science (M.S.) in Education, the Specialist in Education (Ed.S.), and the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degrees. For details, see the School of Education Graduate Bulletin.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree

Fields of Study

Counseling Psychology; Curriculum and Instruction; Educational Psychology; Higher Education; History, Philosophy and Policy Studies in Education; Inquiry Methodology; Instructional Systems Technology; Learning and Developmental Science; Language Education; Literacy, Culture, and Language Education; School Psychology; and Special Education.

Plan of Studies

The Ph.D. degree with a major in education is pursued under the direction of a committee appointed by the University Graduate School and the School of Education. As with other Graduate School doctoral programs, a minimum of 90 credit hours of course work is required. This includes a major (selected from the fields of study listed previously), a minor, a series of research courses, and a dissertation. Written and oral qualifying examinations are taken following course work; a final oral defense of the dissertation completes the program. Up to 30 credit hours of graduate course work may be transferred from other universities, with the approval of the advisory committee and the Graduate Studies Office.

Admission

Admission recommendations are made by program area and School of Education admission committees and are based on graduate and undergraduate grades (especially in academic courses), scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and letters of recommendation. The TOEFL examination is required for all international applicants. Online applications may be accessed through the School of Education Office of Graduate Studies Web site at the above URL.

Students earning a Ph.D. degree in education must fulfill all requirements of the University Graduate School (as found in this bulletin) and of the School of Education (as found in the School of Education Graduate Bulletin).

Ph.D. in Higher Education

The Ph.D. degree is a 90 credit hour program designed for doctoral students who are planning careers as college and university administrators, institutional researchers, policy analysts, and faculty members.

The Ph.D. program has relatively few required courses, allowing students more freedom to specialize in areas of interest. There is also a strong set of inquiry (methodology) courses required. A strong background in inquiry is essential for careers in institutional research, policy analysis, or as faculty.

Students can transfer up to 30 hours into the program from relevant graduate level course work, especially courses that were taken toward a master’s degree in higher education or a related field. Although a master’s degree is not required for entry into the Ph.D. program, it is highly preferred.

Degree Requirements

Major Requirements (36 cr.)

These courses must be approved on the Plan of Studies by the student’s doctoral advisory committee, Department Chair, and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. The courses in the major should include:

Higher Education Core Courses (18 cr.)
Electives in the Major (18 cr.)

Inquiry Core Requirements (12 cr.)

The Inquiry Core includes a survey course in research methodologies, and beginning courses in statistics, measurement, program evaluation, or in ethnographic, qualitative, quantitative, and historical research methods. Inquiry Core courses are to lay a rudimentary methodological foundation for applied inquiry courses in the major, and for dissertation research.

Minor Requirements (12 cr.)

Course work should focus on the research and scholarship of an academic discipline that provides a useful perspective on the study of higher education. This perspective often influences the topic or methodology used in the dissertation. The minor may be any University Graduate School approved minor outside of the HESA program.

Alternatively, any twelve credits that form a single interdisciplinary minor may be approved by the University Graduate School. For this alternative, a faculty member from outside the higher education program (e.g., Sociology, Law, Educational Inquiry, Educational Policy, and Organizational Studies) must be a member of the student’s Advisory Committee. A Minor Justification form must be submitted and approved by the Graduate Studies Office.

Elective Requirements (15 cr.)

Fifteen hours can be used to further study an appropriate field, complete a second minor (minimum of 12 credit hours), or gain other professionally relevant knowledge.

Students are encouraged to enroll in six credit hours that provide a breadth of understanding of higher education as a field of study.

With Advisory Committee approval a student may use courses from other academic areas appropriate to research interests and professional objectives.

Dissertation Requirements (15 credits)

C795 Dissertation Proposal Preparation* (3 cr.)
*C795 should be taken near the end of program of study, after passing the qualifying exam.
C799 Doctoral Thesis in Higher Education (1-12 cr.)

Ph.D. in History, Philosophy, and Policy in Education-Specialization in Education Policy Studies

Help shape the future of education. What can we do to boost high school graduation rates? How can we help individual schools cope with budget shortfalls at local school districts? How do we evaluate student and teacher performance? These are just a few of the challenges that education policymakers face in the 21st century. This 90-hour program will help you respond to these and other issues.

Creating and implementing effective education policies requires a close examination of the social and historical foundations of education in the United States and beyond. It also requires a deep understanding of sociology and economics, history and anthropology, and morality and culture.

Degree Requirements

Major Requirements (36 cr.)

These courses must be approved on the Plan of Studies by the student’s doctoral advisory committee, Department Chair, and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. The courses in the major should include:

Policy Core (18 cr.)
Policy Context (12 cr.)

Students will select one of the following three concentrations:

• Higher Education Concentration
• Educational Leadership Concentration
• International and Comparative Education Concentration

Inquiry in the Major (6 cr.)

Inquiry Requirements (12 cr.)

The Inquiry Core includes a survey course in research methodologies, and beginning courses in statistics, measurement, program evaluation, or in ethnographic, qualitative, quantitative, and historical research methods. Inquiry Core courses are to lay a rudimentary methodological foundation for applied inquiry courses in the major, and for dissertation research.

Minor Requirements (12 cr.)

The minor must have integrity in its own right and must complement the major. The minor field must demonstrate wholeness within itself and contribute to the student's overall doctoral program. Minors are normally formulated within a single program area. However, an interdisciplinary or individualized minor is also possible. Interdisciplinary or individualized minors require a written description of the minor's underlying theme along with a rationale for each course's contribution to that theme through the Minor Justification form. This form should be submitted and approved by the Graduate Studies Office prior to enrolling in the minor courses. Major area courses may not be used in the minor.

Elective Requirements (minimum of 6 cr. but normally 15 cr.)

Courses in policy-relevant fields inside or outside the School of Education selected in consultation with the Advisory Committee. May be used for a second minor.

Dissertation Requirements (15 cr.)

A/C/H795 Dissertation Proposal Preparation (3 cr.)
A/C/H799 Doctoral Thesis in Educational Leadership (A)/Higher Education (C)/History of Philosophy of Education (H) (12 cr.)

Ph.D. in History, Philosophy, and Policy in Education-Specialization in History of Education

Explore the history of U.S. education and the external forces that have shaped education policy since the nation’s founding, including race, gender, social class, and international relations. This 90-credit hour degree program is designed to be both comprehensive and individualized. You will conduct original research into education experiences at the elementary, secondary, and higher educational levels. You will also have the opportunity to complete supplementary course work in disciplines outside the School of Education, including African American and African Diaspora Studies, American Indian Studies, American Studies, East Asian Studies, Latino Studies, Philanthropy Studies, and Women’s History and Gender Studies.

Graduates will be prepared for careers in university teaching and research, as well as in development and consulting for education-centered organizations, and government agencies.

Degree Requirements

Major Requirements (36 cr.)

These courses must be approved on the Plan of Studies by the student’s doctoral advisory committee, Department Chair, and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. The courses in the major should include:

Required major courses (12 cr.)
Electives in the major (18 cr.)
Inquiry linkage and early inquiry experience (6 cr.)

Inquiry Requirements (9 cr.)

The Inquiry Core includes a survey course in research methodologies, and beginning courses in statistics, measurement, program evaluation, or in ethnographic, qualitative, quantitative, and historical research methods. Inquiry Core courses are to lay a rudimentary methodological foundation for applied inquiry courses in the major, and for dissertation research.

Minor Requirements (12 cr.)

The minor must have integrity in its own right and must complement the major. The minor field must demonstrate wholeness within itself and contribute to the student's overall doctoral program. Minors are normally formulated within a single program area. However, an interdisciplinary or individualized minor is also possible. Interdisciplinary or individualized minors require a written description of the minor's underlying theme along with a rationale for each course's contribution to that theme through the Minor Justification form. This form should be submitted and approved by the Graduate Studies Office prior to enrolling in the minor courses. Major area courses may not be used in the minor.

Elective Requirements (6-18 cr.)

A minimum of six (6) credits hours of electives must be taken, although you may exceed that total up to 18 credits with the approval of the advisory committee. You may choose a second minor field, which requires a minimum of 12 hours. All electives and courses for a second minor must be approved by the advisory committee.

Dissertation Requirements (15 cr.)

H795 Dissertation Proposal Preparation (3 cr.)
H799 Doctoral Thesis in History of Philosophy of Education (12 cr.) 

Ph.D. in History, Philosophy, and Policy in Education-Specialization in Philosophy of Education

What we teach, how we teach, and why these questions have their roots in the philosophical underpinnings of education and have important implications for future practice and policy. In this program, students explore those issues from various perspectives that may focus upon ethics, epistemology, aesthetics, social and political philosophy, and the works of historically important educational thinkers. In addition to education course work, students are required to take relevant classes from outside disciplines, including philosophy, religious studies, history, and philosophy of science. The program requires 90 semester hours of coursework.

Graduates typically attain professional roles in university teaching and research, but you may also pursue a career in development and consulting for governmental and private-sector organizations.

Degree Requirements

Major Requirements (36 cr.)

These courses must be approved on the Plan of Studies by the student’s doctoral advisory committee, Department Chair, and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. The courses in the major should include:

Core Requirements (6 cr.)
Philosophy of Education and Other Foundations (12-15 cr.)
Philosophy (9-12 cr.)
Inquiry in the Major (6 cr.)

Inquiry Requirements (9 cr.)

The Inquiry Core includes a survey course in research methodologies, and beginning courses in statistics, measurement, program evaluation, or in ethnographic, qualitative, quantitative, and historical research methods. Inquiry Core courses are to lay a rudimentary methodological foundation for applied inquiry courses in the major, and for dissertation research.

Minor Requirements (12 cr.)

The minor must have integrity in its own right and must complement the major. The minor field must demonstrate wholeness within itself and contribute to the student's overall doctoral program. Minors are normally formulated within a single program area. However, an interdisciplinary or individualized minor is also possible. Interdisciplinary or individualized minors require a written description of the minor's underlying theme along with a rationale for each course's contribution to that theme through the Minor Justification form. This form should be submitted and approved by the Graduate Studies Office prior to enrolling in the minor courses. Major area courses may not be used in the minor.

Elective Requirements (18 cr.)

Courses in fields relevant to philosophy of education selected in consultation with the advisory committee.

Dissertation Requirements (15 cr.)

H795 Dissertation Proposal Preparation (3 cr.)
H799 Doctoral Thesis in History of Philosophy of Education (12 cr.)

Ph.D. Minor in College Pedagogy

Minor Requirements (12 cr.)

Required Courses (9 cr.)

C675 Supervised College Teaching* (1-3 cr.)
C750 Topical Seminar: Curriculum in Higher Education (1-6 cr.)
C750 Topical Seminar: Learning and Teaching on the College Campus (1-6 cr.)

*A course on teaching or teaching practicum within the student’s department may be substituted to fulfill this requirement, but if so, an additional elective must be taken so that all 12 credits for the minor are out of department.  Students using this option would be taking 15 credits for the minor, 3 in department and 12 in Higher Education and Student Affairs.

Additional Required Course (3 cr.)

If all three required courses are taken, one elective course is needed. If a student does not need to take C675, the student needs to take two elective courses.

The doctoral minor in College Pedagogy does not require a minor qualifying exam.

Ph.D. Minor in Education Law

The minor in Education Law is a 12-credit hour minor designed to meet the needs of PhD students in all areas of the IU School of Education and other degrees on campus.  The 12 credit hours of course work required for this minor cannot duplicate those taken in the major field.

Minor Requirements (12 cr.)

Required Courses (9 cr.)

A608 Legal Perspectives on Education (3 cr.)
A615 Advanced School Law (3 cr.)
A675 Leadership in Special Education (3 cr.)

Additional Required Courses (3 cr.)

One relevant course (e.g., H520, H504, U553, C705, A720) from other departments or programs may be counted as education law courses at the discretion of the minor advisor, though no more than one such course may be counted toward the 12 credit minimum.

The doctoral minor in Education Law does not require a minor qualifying exam. 

Ph.D. Minor in Educational Leadership

Ph.D. students may minor in Educational Leadership by completing at least 12 credit hours of coursework in the program. Each minor student works with a faculty advisor from the program to help in the selection of four A-prefix courses that best contributes to the educational goals of the student.  It is recommended that students try to include courses at the 600-level.

The doctoral minor in Educational Leadership does not require a minor qualifying exam. 

Ph.D. Minor in Education Policy Studies

The Minor in Education Policy Studies permits doctoral students majoring in other education fields or academic fields outside the School of Education to learn basic concepts, analytic techniques, and issues in the study of contemporary education policy at the state, national, and international levels.

Minor Requirements (12 cr.)

Required Courses (6 cr.)

H620 Seminar in Educational Policy Studies (3 cr.)
H622 Seminar: Issues in Education Policy (3 cr.)

Additional Required Course (6 cr.)

Students pursuing this minor select two additional courses that help to acquaint them with fundamental areas relevant to policy studies: the context of policy, the politics of the policy process, the legal and financial aspects of policy, and topical issues courses.

Select two courses from the following:

A560 Political Perspectives on Education (3 cr.)
A608 Legal Perspectives on Education (3 cr.)
A631 Microeconomic Applications of Education (3 cr.)
C670 Problems in Financing Higher Education (3 cr.)
C705 Legal Aspects of Higher Education (3 cr.)
H504 History of American Education (3 cr.)
H525 Anthropology of Education (3 cr.)
H540 Sociology of Education (3 cr.)
H560 Education and Social Change (3 cr.)
H631 Social and Political Philosophy and Education (3 cr.)
H637 Topical Seminar (3 cr.)

Courses selected for the minor may not be used to meet substantive core requirements, and may not be from the student’s primary field of specialization.

The doctoral minor in Education Policy Studies does not require a minor qualifying exam.

Ph.D. Minor in Higher Education

Ph.D. students may minor in Higher Education and Student Affairs by completing at least 12 credit hours of coursework in the program. Each minor student works with a faculty advisor from the program to help in the selection of a set of courses that best contributes to the educational goals of the student.  No more than 6 credit hours will be accepted by transfer of graduate credit from another university.

The doctoral minor in Higher Education does not require a minor qualifying exam. 

Ph.D. Minor in History of Education

The minor in History of Education requires at least 12 semester hours of courses approved by a faculty advisor in the program area. The course work required for this minor cannot duplicate those taken in the major field. Courses may not be counted toward core and elective credit requirements.

Minor Requirements (12 cr.)

History of Education Core (6 cr.)

H504 History of American Education (3 cr.)
C654 Higher Education in the United States (3 cr.)

In special circumstances, the advisor for the minor may approve a substitute for the second foundations core course, such as an additional 600-level H-course in the history of education taught in the School of Education beyond what is required for the history of education specialization.

Specialization (6 cr.)

Select 6 hours from the following courses:

H590 Independent Study or Research in History, Philosophy, and Comparative Education (3 cr.)
H601 Historical Methods (3 cr.)
H637 Topical Seminar on a history of education topic (3 cr.)

In special circumstances, the advisor for the minor may approve the substitution for one of the two specialization courses a relevant graduate course in history taught in the History Department or another relevant department.

No more than 3 transfer credits may be applied to fulfilling the requirements for the minor.

The doctoral minor in History of Education does not require a minor qualifying exam. 

Ph.D. Minor in International and Comparative Education

Minor Requirements (12 cr.)

Required Courses (6 cr.)

H551 Comparative Education I (3 cr.)

Select one course from the following:

H552 Comparative Education II (3 cr.)
H637 Topical Seminar (3 cr.)

Additional Required Course (6 cr.)

Select two courses from the following:

H525 Anthropology of Education (3 cr.)
H540 Sociology of Education (3 cr.)
H552 Comparative Education II (if not taken in the core) (3 cr.)
H560 Education and Change in Societies (3 cr.)
H620 Seminar in Educational Policy Studies (3 cr.)
H631 Social and Political Philosophy and Education (3 cr.)
H637 Topical Seminar (if not taken in the core) (3 cr.)

At least one of the four total courses must be at the 600 level.

The doctoral minor in International and Comparative Education does not require a minor qualifying exam. 

Ph.D. Minor in Philosophy of Education

Minor Requirements (12 cr.)

Educational Foundations Core (6 cr.)

H530 Philosophy of Education (3 cr.)
One other 500-level H-course in the School of Education approved by the advisor for the minor (3 cr.)

For most students, the second foundations core course should be:

H504 History of American Education (3 cr.)

For students whose Ph.D. major already includes H504, the second foundations core course may be:

H510 Foundations of Educational Inquiry (3 cr.)
H525 Anthropology of Education (3 cr.)
H540 Sociology of Education (3 cr.)
H560 Education and Change in Societies (3 cr.)

In special circumstances, the advisor for the minor may approve a substitution for the second foundations core course, such as an additional 600-level H-course in the philosophy of education taught in the School of Education beyond what is required for the philosophy of education specialization.

Philosophy of Education Specialization (6 cr.)

In most instances, the specialization will consist of two 600-level H-courses in the philosophy of education taught in the School of Education.

In special circumstances, the advisor for the minor may approve the substitution for one of the two specialization courses a relevant graduate course in philosophy taught in the Philosophy Department or a 500-level H-course in the philosophy of education taught in the School of Education.

In all cases, the student must complete at least one 600-level H-course in the philosophy of education taught in the School of Education.

The doctoral minor in Philosophy of Education does not require a minor qualifying exam. 

Ph.D. Minor in Social Foundations of Education      

This minor introduces students to the use of sociological and anthropological research in the study of education. It encompasses the intellectual foundations of these social sciences, the educational theories and findings of scholars in these disciplines, and the research methodologies of these disciplines that are relevant to educational research.

The twelve (12) credit hours of course work required for this minor cannot duplicate those taken in the major field. Courses may not be counted toward core and elective credit requirements.

Minor Requirements (12 cr.)

Required Course (6 cr.)

Select two courses from the following:

H510 Foundations of Educational Inquiry (3 cr.)
H525 Anthropology of Education (3 cr.)
H540 Sociology of Education (3 cr.)

Additional Required Course (6 cr.)

Select two courses from the following:

A631 Microeconomic Applications of Education (3 cr.)
H510 Foundations of Educational Inquiry (3 cr.)
H525 Anthropology of Education (3 cr.)
H540 Sociology of Education (3 cr.)
H551 Comparative Education I (3 cr.)
H552 Comparative Education II (3 cr.)
H560 Education and Change in Societies (3 cr.)
H620 Seminar in Educational Policy Studies (3 cr.)
H637 Topical Seminar (3 cr.)
Y611 Qualitative Inquiry in Education (3 cr.)

The doctoral minor in Social Foundations of Education does not require a minor qualifying exam.