Doctor of Philosophy in Education Sciences (Ph.D.)

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and critically analyze theories, research, and policies from multiple disciplines for an integrative understanding of their specialization.
2. Apply educational theory and inquiry knowledge and skills to local, regional, and national problems of policy and practice in education.
3. Examine how the dynamics of power, ethics, and justice influence students, schools, communities, and societies.
4. Design and implement clear, coherent, and ethical research studies that contribute to understanding and solving complex educational problems.
5. Prepare and present scholarly work to both practitioners and academic audiences.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants to the Ph.D. in Education Sciences must meet the requirements for graduate admission to Coastal Carolina University. Only complete applications are considered. The Ph.D. in Education Sciences admits students for a fall entrance term. Faculty will review applications and make recommendations based on the submitted materials.

To be considered for the program, all applicants must:

1. Have a master’s degree in education or related field and at least three (3) years working in an educational setting.
2. Applicants for the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment specialization should have completed a P-12 teacher preparation program with state licensure.
3. Applicants for the Educational Leadership specialization should have completed a P-12 service and leadership preparation program with state principal certification.
4. Submit an online Coastal Carolina University graduate application which requires:
   1. Unofficial transcripts (official transcript(s) will be required if you are accepted into the program)
   2. Resume that includes professional and leadership experience
   3. Three recommendations
      • Recommendation forms are emailed directly to recommenders via the online application process. We suggest that forms be completed by current or prior supervisors or professors from a prior degree program who can speak to your leadership and academic ability and potential.
   4. Statement of Intent and Research Interest

The statement will be evaluated for content and as a writing sample, must be no more than 1000 words, and include:

4. 1. • How completing the Ph.D. in Education Sciences at CCU could shape your academic and professional trajectory.
      • Why a Ph.D.? Why CCU? Why are you interested in your selected specialization?
      • Concise statement of your potential research interests.
5. Citizens of countries other than the United States of America must also meet the requirements for international graduate admission, as outlined in the Graduate Catalog.

Transfer Credits

Students seeking transfer credits should understand the following:

1. The Ph.D. program courses are all offered in a specific sequence to meet the needs of students.  Students may not take courses out of sequence, and most courses are only offered once a year or every other year.  This means that students who are approved for transfer credits will have semesters in which they take 3 credits instead of 6 credits. Students should be aware of any potential impact that may have on financial aid.
2. Independent Study courses will not be offered to students who bring in transfer credits trying to get ahead in the course sequence.  Students should expect to take courses as they are offered in the course sequence, even if a course is transferred in. 
3. As noted in the catalog, students seeking transfer credits must meet with their academic adviser and submit requests within their first semester of admission to the program. 
4. Course requests will only be approved for courses that meet the university’s recency requirements for graduate courses, were taken above the master’s degree level, and are demonstrably similar to another course in the program in complexity, content, and assessment.
5. A maximum of 9 credits will be accepted for transfer.
   

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. in Education Sciences requires the successful completion of an approved program of study with a minimum of 63 graduate credit hours. The approved program includes coursework from one of four specialization areas (charter, private, and independent school leadership; curriculum, instruction and assessment; educational leadership; higher education administration), as well as coursework in a core area, research foundations, a selected cognate, and dissertation hours. Courses are taken during the fall, spring, and summer terms. The degree requires students to successfully pass a comprehensive examination to become doctoral candidates. Candidates must form a doctoral committee and develop a dissertation where they demonstrate and apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the program. A candidate must successfully defend their dissertation to their doctoral committee and submit their completed dissertation to graduate from the program. Candidates must complete all requirements, including the dissertation, within 7 years of their first semester of coursework.

Required Credit Hours (63 Graduate Credit Hours)

Department Core (15 credit hours)

• PHDE 780  - Politics and Policy of Education - 3 credits OR
• PHDE 791  - Contemporary Issues in Higher Education - 3 credits
• PHDE 700  - Introduction to Evaluation of Education, Community, and Social Programs - 3 credits
• PHDE 728  - Data-Driven Decision-Making to Inform Instruction - 3 credits
• PHDE 785  - Critical Studies in Diversity and Education - 3 credits
• PHDE 801  - Community Education Engagement - 3 credits

Specialization Areas (12 credit hours)

Research Foundations (15 credit hours)

• PHDE 800  - Ways of Knowing: Introduction to Educational Research - 3 credits
• PHDE 810  - Qualitative Research Methods - 3 credits
• PHDE 815  - Quantitative Research Methods - 3 credits
• PHDE 825  - Mixed Methods Research - 3 credits

Cognates (9 credit hours)

Dissertation (12 credit hours)

• PHDE 899  - Dissertation - 6 credits

Total Graduate Credits Required: 63