Program Timeline for Ph.D. in Mathematics Education
Annual Review of Progress/Program Timeline
The following provides a framework to specify general expectations and be suggestive
of the scope and sequence of the program, while realizing that all specific courses
will be selected in consultation with the Major Professor and approved by the Doctoral
Committee to satisfy the individual goals and needs of the student. An overall GPA
of 3.0 must be maintained.
Year 1 (minimum 18 hours)
- Complete two mathematics education courses, receiving at least a B in each.
- Complete at least one college-wide core course (e.g., EDCI 5870 Introduction to Doctoral
Studies)
- Complete at least one appropriate graduate mathematics course
- Complete two research methodology courses
- Completion of electives as recommended
- Identify and establish the choice of Major Professor; in consultation develop a program
of study; establish the Doctoral Committee
- At year-end, submit preliminary proposal of research interests and ideas, and an annual
self-evaluation; begin development of Reading List
Year 2 (minimum 18 hours)
- Complete two mathematics education courses, receiving at least a B in each.
- Complete at least one college-wide core course
- Complete at least one appropriate graduate mathematics course
- Complete two research methodology courses
- Completion of electives as recommended
- In Fall, conduct initial Doctoral Committee meeting; discuss and approve program of
study; preliminary discussion of research interests
- Maintain and extend the Reading List; by mid-Spring, share it with the Doctoral Committee
for review and feedback
- At year-end, submit an updated proposal of potential dissertation research, and an
annual self-evaluation
- Submit a proposal to write and present a scholarly paper to a recognized mathematics
education research conference (typically in collaboration with other graduate students
and/or one or more faculty members)
- Conduct Doctoral Committee meeting to finalize Reading List and to frame and plan
for completion of the written comprehensive exams before the end of Fall term
Year 3 (minimum 18 hours)
- Complete all additional courses on the approved Program of Study
- Enroll in at least 6 hours of dissertation research to conceptualize and develop the
dissertation research proposal (which may include a pilot or preliminary study)
- Complete oral exams, and the defense and approval of the dissertation research proposal;
obtain IRB approvals as needed
- Begin dissertation research project: complete detailed plans, collect data, engage
analyses, begin writing as appropriate
- Submit a scholarly manuscript to a recognized mathematics education research journal
(typically in collaboration with other graduate students and/or one or more faculty
members)
- Submit an annual status report and self-evaluation
Year 4/Year 5 (as needed)
- Enroll in at least 6 hours of dissertation research each semester
- Continue toward completion of the dissertation research
- Finish writing, and defend the dissertation research; present your research at a Mathematics
Education colloquium
- As feasible, begin developing one or more scholarly manuscripts based upon the dissertation
- Conduct search and interviews for seeking a post-doctoral position
In the culture of our program, we seek to function as faculty and students in a dynamic
community of active scholars. As such, we acknowledge that many significant developmental
experiences for doctoral students must and will take place outside formal course venues.
Therefore, all students and faculty are expected to be vitally involved in ongoing
research, development, and outreach projects and activities in which continuous interaction
and collaboration occurs, within Mathematics Education and other disciplines.
