Social Studies Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Overview Request Information Courses Admissions Licensure Faculty

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Beginning Ph. D. students can demonstrate the competencies through previous coursework in conjunction with an oral interview with social studies education faculty about that coursework. Among the courses that could demonstrate competency include those in:

  • History of Social Studies Education
  • Theories of Social Studies Education
  • Quantitative & Qualitative Research Methods
  • Multicultural Education
  • Social Foundations of Education
  • International Education

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: Social Studies Education
  • Degree Objective: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • Program Delivery: Residential
  • Does this program lead to licensure? *No, this is a non-licensure program
  • Application Deadlines: July 1 (Fall), November 15 (Spring), March 15 (Summer)

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Courses

12 credit hours

  • EDCI 62400: Seminar in Social Studies Education – or approved substitute (12 credits)

11 credit hours

  • EDCI 58000: Foundations of Curriculum (3 credits)
  • EDCI 58500: Multicultural Education (3 credits)
  • EDCI 62800: Curriculum and Instruction Doctoral Seminar I (1 credit)
  • EDCI 63800: Curriculum and Instruction Doctoral Seminar II (1 credit)
  • EDCI Elective (3 credits)

9-12 credit hours

Graduate courses in relevant social studies content areas such as history, political science, and economics.

9-12 credit hours

Students will take a minimum of three graduate courses in a single self-selected cognate area. Cognate area selection should be discussed with the student’s major professor and advisory committee. Examples include: learning design and technology, English learners, multicultural education, global education, gifted, creative, & talented education, educational psychology.

15 credit hours

  • EDPS 53300 – Introduction to Research in Education (3 credits)
  • EDCI 61500 – Qualitative Research Methods in Education (3 credits)
  • EDPS 63000 – Research Procedures in Education (3 credits)
  • Advanced research methods courses in either qualitative or quantitative research methods. (3 credits)
  • EDCI 69900

*Please note that depending on prior coursework, additional courses in EDCI and/or EDPS may be required.

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Admissions

In addition to a submitted application (and any applicable application fees paid), the following materials are required for admission consideration, and all completed materials must be submitted by the application deadline in order for an application to be considered complete and forwarded on to faculty and the Purdue Graduate School for review.

A completed master’s degree is required prior to admission.

Here are the materials required for this application

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.

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: Social Studies Education
    • Please select a Degree Objective: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
    • Primary Course Delivery: Residential

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

Questions? Contact the Office of Graduate Studies at edgrad@purdue.edu.