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Residential

Science Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Curriculum and Instruction

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OVERVIEW

Advance Your Career

The PhD 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” section.

What degree is conferred upon satisfactory completion of this program?

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Curriculum and Instruction with one of the following concentrations based on the student’s area of specialization. If a specialization is not selected, the concentration will be Science Education.

  • Earth/Space Science Education
  • Biology Education
  • Chemistry Education
  • Geoenvironmental Education
  • Physics Education
  • Science Education

This information will be listed on the transcript, and the diploma states the degree objective.

Dec 1
Fall Application Deadline December 1 is the deadline for applicants interested in being considered for any available PhD funding. Applications are accepted until April 1 for all other applicants.
Oct 1
Spring Application Deadline
Feb 1
Summer Application Deadline

Courses

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Courses

  • 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

Select two courses from:

  • EDCI 50600, Environmental Education
  • EDCI 51600, Seminar in Environmental Education
  • EDCI 53900, Intro to K12 Integrated STEM Education
  • EDCI 55800, Integrated STEM Education Methods Secondary
  • EDCI 56700, Action Research in Science Education
  • EDCI 59100, Special Topics in Education
  • EDCI 60500, Teaching Integrated STEM
  • EDCI 61800, Gender and Culture in Science Education
  • EDCI 61900, Learning Science
  • EDCI 62000, Seminar in Mathematics Education
  • EDCI 62200, Seminar in Science Education
  • CHM 61000, Topics in Chemical Education

Depending on prior science coursework and professional experience, at least 9 credits science content.

  • EDCI 62800, C&I Doctoral Seminar I
  • EDCI 63800, C&I Doctoral Seminar II
  • EDCI 58500, Multicultural Education
  • C&I Elective (3 credits)

  • EDPS 53300, Introduction to Research in Education (3 credits)
  • EDCI 61500, Qualitative Research I (3 credits)
  • One Introductory Statistics Course (EDPS 55600, STAT 50100, STAT 51100, or other course pre-approved by the department) (3 credits)
  • One Advanced Elective (3 credits)
    • For qualitative methods – EDCI 61600, EDCI 62100, or other qualitative method course pre-approved by the department, or
    • For quantitative methods – EDPS 55700, STAT 50200, STAT 51200 or other quantitative method course pre-approved by the department
  • EDPS 63000, Research Seminar (3 credits)

  • EDCI 69900, Research PhD Thesis

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

Admissions

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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.

Below are the materials required for this application. Visit the Office of Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS) website for more information about the requirements below.

  • 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 Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars

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: Select your particular concentration of interest from the following list –
      • Earth/Space Science Education
      • Biology Education
      • Chemistry Education
      • Geoenvironmental Education
      • Physics Education
      • Science Education
    • Please select a Degree Objective: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
    • Primary Course Delivery: Residential

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Licensure

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Licensure Information

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) before continuing with the 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.

program FACULTY

Learn From the Experts

Explore how Purdue’s faculty for the residential PhD in Science Education can prepare you to help all students learn.

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Dean Ballotti

Continuing Lecturer

S. Selcen Guzey

Department Head, Curriculum and Instruction

Rebekah Hammack

Assistant Professor

Isaiah Kent-Schneider

Clincal Assistant Professor

Danielle Malone

Assistant Professor

Sanjay Rebello

Professor

Hui-Hui Wang

Associate Professor

Alison Warren

Clinical Assistant Professor

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