Teacher Education and Learning Sciences
The PhD in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences prepares scholar leaders who deeply understand both their content areas and research methodologies. Our graduates are ready to engage in research that addresses current challenges in K-12 education and participate in cross-disciplinary inquiry that deals with real problems in teaching and learning in forward-looking ways.
The program is primarily designed to prepare students for roles as researchers and educators in higher education and industry, or for instructional leadership at school district and state levels. Our students work in one of six concentrations: Educational Equity; Educational Psychology; Elementary Education in Math and Science; Learning, Design, & Technology; Literacy & English Language Arts; and Social Studies Education.
Doctoral Degree Requirements
The course of study includes 60 hours: 6 hours of department core courses, 6 hours College of Education core courses, 15 hours of methods courses, concentration core courses, and electives.
Student Financial Support
Students are funded through a variety of opportunities, some of which cover tuition and fees. Stipend and length of appointment varies based on funding source. Eligible students may receive coverage of their tuition and health insurance through the Graduate Student Support Plan (GSSP). All applicants are automatically considered for funding opportunities that require department nomination.
- Graduate Research Assistantships: Research assistantships are awarded to students working with a faculty member on an externally-funded research grant. Individual faculty select students for these awards.
- Teaching Assistantships: Teaching assistantships are rewarded to students with applicable experience to teach undergraduate courses or supervise teacher interns. Students are selected based on department needs.
- College Fellowships: Offices in the College of Education regularly offer assistantships for research and teaching positions. These are announced each spring.
- University Fellowships: The Graduate School offers several fellowships for new students, including the University Graduate Fellowship and the Provost’s Fellowship. The Director of Graduate Programs nominates applicants for these awards.
- External Fellowships: Applicants are encouraged to apply for fellowships from the National Science Foundation and other national programs.
More Information
Teacher Education and Learning Sciences Program Website
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements are specific to each concentration. Requirements may include a personal statement, a resume or curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and GRE scores that are less than five years old. Please see the concentration website for more information.
- Educational Equity
- Educational Psychology
- Elementary Education in Mathematics and Science
- Learning, Design, and Technology
- Literacy & English Language Arts Education
- Social Studies
Applicant Information
- Delivery Method: On-Campus
- Entrance Exam: Each concentration sets GRE requirements.
- Interview Required: Yes
Application Deadlines
- Fall: December 1
- Summer 1 or 2: December 1
Degrees
- Teacher Education and Learning Sciences (PhD)
- Teacher Education and Learning Science (PhD): Educational Equity
- Teacher Education and Learning Science (PhD): Educational Psychology (EDP)
- Teacher Education and Learning Science (PhD): Elementary Education in Mathematics and Science (EEMS)
- Teacher Education and Learning Science (PhD): Learning Design and Technology (LDT)
- Teacher Education and Learning Science (PhD): Literacy and English Language Arts Education
- Teacher Education and Learning Science (PhD): Social Studies Education
- Teacher Education and Learning Sciences (Minor)
- Learning Analytics (Certificate)
Professors
- Sarah Carrier
- Cathy Crossland, Director, Diagnostic Teaching Clinic
- Jessica Hunt
- Meghan Manfra
- Florence Martin
- Patricia Marshall
- James Minogue, Director, Undergraduate Programs
- John Nietfeld
- Kevin Oliver, Department Head
- Margareta Thomson
Associate Professors
- Christy Byrd, Director of Graduate Programs
- Dennis Davis
- DeLeon Gray
- Jill Grifenhagen
- Joey Huang
- Paula McAvoy
- Temple Walkowiak
- Angela Wiseman
- Carl Young
Assistant Professors
- Ela Castellanos-Reyes
- Michael Andre Jarry-Shore
- Shiyan Jiang
- Crystal Lee
- Samantha Marshall
- Amato Nocera
- Jamie Pearson
- Jackie Relyea
Distinguished Professor
- Maria Coady, Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Educational Equity
Associate Teaching Professors
- Joanna Koch
Assistant Teaching Professors
- Micha Jeffries
- Jill Jones
- Jordan Lukins
Lecturers
- Betsy Knight
- Kari Kuebel
University-School Partnership Coordinator
- Keith Walkowiak
University-School Partnership Supervisors
- April Bartley
- Marcia Davis
TELS Core (6 hours)
ECI 735 Seminar on Teaching and Teaching Education (3 hours)
ECI 736 Seminar on Learning Sciences (3 hours)
College Scholar Leader Courses (6 hours)
ED 755: Scholar Leader: Diversity and Equity in Schools and Communities (3 hours)
ED 756: Scholar Leader: Systemic Change in Education and Society (3 hours)
Research Methods (15 hours)
ED 710: Applied Quantitative Methods in Education (3 hours)
ED 730: Introduction to Qualitative Research in Education (3 hours)
Elective advanced research methods courses (9 hours)
Dissertation (9 hours)
EAC 895 Doctoral Dissertation Research