Program Overview
The Curriculum and Instruction PhD Program 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.
Program Specific Requirements
- As part of the online application, provide a letter of intent. In this letter, describe why you wish to pursue a PhD in Science Education, including your career goals; your prior experiences in science or science education (e.g., relevant teaching or other educational experiences); previous university degrees, programs, certificates, or emphases related to science; potential areas of focus in a science doctoral program; potential research interests; and any other information you consider to be relevant to your admission.
Additional Requirements and Important Information
- GRE scores are required. The admissions committee will consider the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores in its determination. Effective July 1, 2016 applicants must have GRE scores of 153 Verbal and 144 Quantitative Reasoning or higher to be considered for admission. Minimum scores do not guarantee admission. Other criteria, as well as faculty capacity, will be considered in the admission process.
- Applicants need to contact a member of the Science Education PhD Program faculty, either in person or via telephone, to discuss career and research goals. This assists us in assigning a graduate advisor upon admission.
- Following the application review, the program faculty will make a recommendation regarding admission for Graduate Study at UW. Applicants will be notified of the decision by email. Applications will be considered at any time, but students who apply by January 15 will receive full consideration for graduate assistantships for the following academic year.
- Applicants are evaluated on alignment of research interests with those of existing faculty, clarity of application letter and goals, prior teaching or work experience, letters of recommendation, transcripts (including GPA) and previous research experience with an accompanying sample of professional writing if available, according to the Science Education PhD Admissions Rubric.
- International students must have TOEFL scores of 540 (paper based test), 76 (internet based test), 197 (computer based test) or IELTS scores of 6.5 higher. Minimum scores do not guarantee admission. Until further notice, due to COVID-19 related postponements/cancellations of TOEFL/IELTS exams, we will be accepting Duolingo scores or 110 or higher as proof of English proficiency.
Program Details
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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