Science Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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The Ph.D. Program in Science Education at Purdue University is designed primarily for students who want to specialize in science teacher education and science education research. The program also serves students aiming to teach science in small liberal arts colleges or seeking supervisory posts in national, state, or local systems.
This program is comprised of coursework and other experiences in four major areas:
- Science Education Studies
- Science Content
- Curriculum and Instruction Foundations Departmental Core
- Educational Research Design
This residential program has rolling admission. Applications must be fully complete and submitted (including all required materials) and all application fees paid prior to the deadline in order for applications to be considered and reviewed. For a list of all required materials for this program application, please see the “Admissions” tab.
Application Deadlines
July 1* is the deadline for Fall applications.
November 15 is the deadline for Spring applications.
March 15 is the deadline for Summer applications.
*Those applicants interested in being considered for any available PhD funding should submit completed applications by December 1 for the following Fall semester.
Program at a Glance
- Major/Department: Curriculum and Instruction
- Research Area: Science Education
- Degree Objective: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Program Delivery: Residential
- Does this program lead to licensure? *No, this is a non-licensure program
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Courses
Science Education Requirements
- EDCI 51700, Survey of Science Education (3 credits)
- EDCI 51800, The Nature of Science in Science Teaching (3 credits)
- EDCI 51000, Research Colloquium in Science Education (1 credit)
- EDCI 69500, Internship in Science Education (3 credits)
- Select two courses from: EDCI 56700, EDCI 60500, EDCI 61800, EDCI 61900, EDCI 62200
Science Education Elective Requirement
Select two courses from:
- EDCI 50600
- EDCI 51600
- EDCI 53900
- EDCI 55800
- EDCI 56700
- EDCI 59100
- EDCI 60500
- EDCI 61800
- EDCI 61900
- EDCI 62000
- CHM 61000
Science Content Requirement
Depending on prior science coursework and professional experience, at least 9 credits science content.
Curriculum and Instruction Foundations
- EDCI 62800, C&I Doctoral Seminar I
- EDCI 63800, C&I Doctoral Seminar II
- EDCI 58500, Multicultural Education
- C&I Elective (3 credits)
Educational Research Design
- EDPS 53300, Introduction to Research in Education or equivalent
- EDCI 61500, Qualitative Research I
- Introductory Statistics (STAT 50100 or STAT 51100)
- Advanced Elective (EDCI 61600 or quantitative method)
- EDPS 63000, Research Seminar
Science Education Research
- EDCI 69900, Research PhD Thesis
*Please note that depending on prior coursework additional courses in EDCI and/or EDPS may be required.
Admissions
A graduate application must be submitted and application fee paid (if applicable) by the application deadline. In addition, the materials listed under the Application Requirements section below must be submitted by the application deadline in order for an application to be considered complete and for the application to be reviewed for admission consideration. Please review the How to Apply section below before submitting an application.
A completed master’s degree is required prior to admission.
Application Requirements
Here are the materials required for this application
- Transcripts (from all universities attended)
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- 3 Recommendations
- Resume/CV
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Personal History Statement
- International Applicants must meet English Proficiency Requirements set by the Purdue Graduate School
We encourage prospective students to submit an application early, even if not all required materials are uploaded. Applications are not forwarded on for faculty review until all required materials are uploaded.
How to Apply
When submitting your application for this program, please select the following options:
- Campus and Program Tab:
- Select a Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
- Select your proposed graduate major: Curriculum and Instruction
- First Choice Program Details Tab:
- Please select an Area of Interest: Select your particular concentration of interest from the following list –
- Earth/Space Science Education
- Biology Education
- Chemistry Education
- Geoenvironmental Education
- Physics Education
- Please select a Degree Objective: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Primary Course Delivery: Residential
- Please select an Area of Interest: Select your particular concentration of interest from the following list –
This program does not lead to licensure in the state of Indiana or elsewhere. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) at licensure@purdue.edu before continuing with program application if you have questions regarding licensure or contact your state Department of Education about how this program may translate to licensure in your state of residence.
Faculty
