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Residential

Social Studies Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Curriculum and Instruction

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OVERVIEW

Advance Your Career

Beginning PhD students can demonstrate the competencies through previous coursework in conjunction with an oral interview with social studies education faculty about that coursework. 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” section.

What degree is conferred upon satisfactory completion of this program?

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration of Social Studies 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

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 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

*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: Social Studies 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 Social Studies Education can prepare you to help all students learn.

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John Broome

Clinical Associate Professor

Chrystal Johnson

Professor

Kathryn Obenchain

Professor

Anatoli Rapoport

Professor

Phillip VanFossen

Interim Dean, Director & James F. Ackerman Distinguished Professor of Social Studies Education, Faculty Athletic Representative for Purdue University

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