Course Requirements
REQUIRED COURSES (81 CREDIT HOURS)
Program Knowledge Base
Select 9 credit hours from the below list.
- PRST 5610 - Intro to Doc Studies (3 credit hours)
- PRST 5070 - Intro to College Teaching (3 credit hours)
- EDCI 5600 - Diversity in Education (3 credit hours)
- EDRE 5660 - Proposal Writing (3 credit hours)
- EDCI 5730 - Learning and Cognition (3 credit hours)
- EDCI 5810 - Writing for Professional Publications (3 credit hours)
Advanced Research Courses
Select 18 credit hours from the below list. Coursework in both qualitative and quantitative research is required and courses can be taken outside the College of Education. Course selection is subject doctoral committee approval.
- ESCI 5200 - Contemporary Science Education Research (3 credit hours)
- EDRE 5530 - Intro to Research (3 credit hours)
- EDRE 5610 - Ed Research 2: Group Comparison (3 credit hours)
- EDRE 5620 - Ed Research 3: Correlational (3 credit hours)
- EDRE 5630 - Ed Research 4: Multivariate (3 credit hours)
- EDRE 5640 - Intro to Qualitative Research (3 credit hours)
- EDRE 5645 - Phenomenology, Case Study, and Grounded Theory in Qualitative Research (3 credit hours)
Research in Science Education
Students must take all 6 credit hours listed below.
- ESCI 5300 Research in Science Ed I (3 credit hours)
- ESCI 5350 Research in Science Ed II (3 credit hours)
Mathematics Education Specialization
Select 9 credit hours from the below list. Course selection is subject doctoral committee approval.
- ESCI 5250 - Cognition and Learning in Science and Math Education
- ESCI 5600 - History and Philosophy of Science and Mathematics Education
- ESCI 5610 - Informal Science Learning Environments
- ESCI 5630 - Science Teacher Education & K12 Professional Development
- EDCI 5870 - Special Topics in Science Education
- Relevant EMAT courses
Electives
Students should work with their advisor to select 21 credit hours to complete the elective requirement. Note that some or all of the elective courses are courses completed as part of the master’s degree.)
Dissertation
Students must take a minimum of 6 credit hours.
- ESCI 5100 - Science Education Research Colloquium (1-6 credit hours)
Additional Information:
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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Doctoral Studies (3 courses)
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Science Education Core (3 courses)
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Research in Science Education (2 courses)
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Research methods/Graduate Science Content (6 courses)
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Science Education Research Colloquium (1-6 credits)
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Dissertation (minimum of 6 credits)
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.
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Completed, supervised teaching internship during graduate program (e.g., GTA)
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A total of 18 graduate hours in science
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Submission of a scholarly manuscript, judged publishable by the committee
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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