DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SCIENCE EDUCATION


The Curriculum & Instruction PhD. Option in Science Education prepares students for productive careers in scholarly inquiry at research & outreach centers and universities.  In an apprenticeship model, students study with a cadre of professionally active faculty to produce scholarly work, take advanced coursework in science education, collaborate with faculty on grants and research projects, and have opportunities to teach undergraduate courses in education and science.


Coursework

The Science Education PhD option requires a minimum of 81 semester credits of coursework and dissertation hours. As many as 30 credit hours from a Masters degree program may be applied to the PhD program, subject to committee approval.

Courses must be taken in the following areas:

  • Doctoral Studies (3 courses)
  • Science Education Core (3 courses)
  • Research in Science Education (2 courses)
  • Research methods/Graduate Science Content (6 courses)
  • Science Education Research Colloquium (1-6 credits)
  • Dissertation (minimum of 6 credits)

For more details, please view the Science Education Program of Study Worksheet.


Residency

The standard residency requirement is a minimum of one (1) semester. The purpose and intent of a residency requirement is to provide close, collaborative teaching, research, and writing opportunities with faculty members. Summer terms will count toward this requirement. If personal circumstances will not accommodate a semester on campus in Laramie, contact the Program Coordinator for possible options.


Additional Expectations

In order to be successful, students need to demonstrate throughout the program an understanding of research methodologies, data analysis, and academic writing.

Although not necessarily available for graduate credit, the following activities are expected to be completed, as approved, monitored, and assessed by a students’ committee, prior to defense.

  • Completed, supervised teaching internship during graduate program (e.g., GTA)
  • A total of 18 graduate hours in science
  • Submission of a scholarly manuscript, judged publishable by the committee
  • Presentation at a professional conference on scholarly work

This program will allow students to focus on one of three areas of science education: Earth and Space, Energy, and Environment

 
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