The Ph.D. in Science Education emphasizes broad and deep familiarity with the research literature in science education and closely related theoretical and practical fields and the development of skills necessary to make original and important contributions to research. Because doctoral students vary greatly in academic and experiential backgrounds and have a variety of career goals, the guidelines for required coursework are flexible and each program is personalized. Most doctoral students hold a previous graduate degree in science education or in a science field, although this is not required for admission. These students normally take fewer courses before concentrating on the dissertation research project.
Coursework will include graduate-level study in a science field, science teacher induction, multicultural science education, history of science education, science curriculum, teaching and learning, science teacher education, philosophy of science, qualitative/quantitative research methods, and research and teaching internships. Along with doctoral-level core and elective science education courses, students will study two different areas of educational research methodology and the psychological and social foundations of education. Courses are typically offered in the evening, although full-time students may take advantage of a wider variety of courses offered throughout the day.
Daniel K. Capps, Ph.D. Science Education Graduate Coordinator dacapps@uga.edu Katrina Neidlinger EMSE Graduate Program Administrator katrinaa@uga.edu
30 hours or more, determined by student, major professor, and advisory committee
Students should apply to the UGA Graduate School and include the following: 3 Letters of recommendation CV Statement of Purpose that emphasizes career goals, objectives, and research plans. At the end of the statement of purpose include the names of up to 3 potential faculty who share research interests and could serve as a major advisor. Unofficial transcript (3.0 minimum GPA) International students will need to submit transcripts and a copy of degree certificates. Writing Sample. If the applicant does not have sample, the applicant can request a writing prompt for a sample of their writing capabilities. Although there are no formal course requirements for admission, previous coursework and training should reflect preparation for advanced study in STEM education (e.g., coursework in STEM, work experience, research experience, publications, presentations).
International students: For students whose primary language is not English, proof of English proficiency is required. Students need to submit official university documents according to the UGA Graduate School requirements. Students will also have to show certificate of finances upon acceptance to the program. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to communicate with members of the faculty who share their areas of research interest.
Choose 6 course(s) from the following:
| EDUC(ESCI) 8210 | Multicultural Education Research | 3 |
| ESCI 6200 * | Science, Technology, and Society | 3 |
| ESCI 6220 * | Marine Environmental Education | 3 |
| ESCI 6230 * | Environmental Science Education | 3 |
| ESCI 6420 * | Science for PreK-8th Grade | 3 |
| ESCI 7040 * | Strategies for Middle and Secondary School Science Teachers | 3 |
| ESCI 7080 * | Curriculum Planning in Science Education | 3 |
| ESCI 8200 | Science Supervision, Mentoring, and Induction | 3 |
| ESCI 9020 | History and Theory of Science Education | 3 |
| ESCI 9080 | Science Curriculum Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ESCI 9630 | Critique of Educational Literature in Science Education | 3 |
| ESCI 9650 | Learning and Knowing in Science | 3 |
| ESCI 9660 | Assessment Research in Science Education | 3 |
| ESCI 9730 | Science Teacher Education - Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ESCI 9740 | Science Studies and Science Education | 3 |
*Graduate-only courses in Science Education intended primarily for masters and specialist degree students, but judged appropriate for some doctoral students (especially those with no previous degrees in education)
Choose a minimum of 2 course(s) from the following:
| EDUC(ESCI) 8210 | Multicultural Education Research | 3 |
| ESCI 8100 | International Science Education | 3 |
| ESCI 9740 | Science Studies and Science Education | 3 |
EDUC courses at the graduate level
ESCI courses at the graduate level
AFAM courses at the graduate level if approved by the student's committee
ANTH courses at the graduate level if approved by the student's committee
HIST courses at the graduate level if approved by the student's committee
PHIL courses at the graduate level if approved by the student's committee
PSYC courses at the graduate level if approved by the student's committee
WMST courses at the graduate level if approved by the student's committee
Choose a minimum of 2 course(s) from the following:
EPSY courses at the graduate level
| ERSH 4600/6600 | Applied Educational Assessment | 3 |
| ERSH 7250 | Educational Program and Project Evaluation | 3 |
| ERSH 7600 | Construction of Educational Measuring Instruments | 3 |
| ERSH 7610 | Questionnaire-Based Research in Education | 3 |
Choose 1 group(s) from the following:
Group A:
| ERSH 4300/6300 | Applied Statistical Methods in Education | 3 |
| ERSH 8310 | Applied Analysis of Variance Methods in Education | 3 |
| ERSH 8320 | Applied Correlation and Regression Methods in Education | 3 |
Group B:
| QUAL 8400 | Qualitative Research Traditions | 3 |
| QUAL 8410 | Designing Qualitative Research | 3 |
| QUAL 8420 | Analyzing Qualitative Data | 3 |
Choose 1 course(s) from the following:
| ERSH 4300/6300 | Applied Statistical Methods in Education | 3 |
| QUAL 8400 | Qualitative Research Traditions | 3 |
| ESCI 8990 * | Research Seminar in Science Education | 1-6 |
| ESCI 9600 ^ | Educational Research in Science Education | 1-9 |
| ESCI 9700 | Internship in Science Education | 1-9 |
*Four 1-hour seminars. ^Two 3-hour internships.
Choose a minimum of 7 credit hour(s) from the following:
| ESCI 9000 | Doctoral Research | 1-9 |
Choose a minimum of 3 credit hour(s) from the following:
| ESCI 9300 | Doctoral Dissertation | 3-15 |
All doctoral students holding a graduate assistantship are expected to register for 3 hours of the following course in each semester that they have assistantship duties:
| ESCI 9005 | Doctoral Graduate Student Seminar | 3 |
| GRSC 7001 | GradFIRST: First-year Research and Scholarship Training Seminar | 1 |
| GRSC 7770 * | Graduate Teaching Seminar | 1-3 |
*Students who are selected for teaching assistantships are required to take this course or a departmental equivalent
Doctoral students who have had no previous exposure to educational research and its methods in a previous graduate degree program may be advised to take one of the following courses or sequences before beginning either of the standard three-course methodology sequences:
| EDHI 8910 ^ | Quantitative Methods in Higher Education I | 3 |
| AND EDHI 8910L ^ | Quantitative Methods in Higher Education I Laboratory | 1 |
| EDHI 8920 ^ | Quantitative Methods in Higher Education II | 3 |
| AND EDHI 8920L ^ | Quantitative Methods in Higher Education II Laboratory | 1 |
| EDHI 8930 ^ | Qualitative Research in Higher Education I | 3 |
| ESCI 6200 | Science, Technology, and Society | 3 |
| ESCI 6990 | Research Seminar in Science Education | 3 |
^Must be taken in sequence. Committees may choose to allow substitution of this sequence when deemed appropriate.
Evidence of in-depth knowledge of the core science teaching field (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth/Space Sciences) most relevant to the student’s interest and experience is required. It is expected that graduate-level courses in one or more science content fields will be part of the program of study unless the student holds a master’s degree in a science field.
Normally all coursework in the Science Content area will be taken at the graduate level, although undergraduate courses may sometimes be deemed appropriate by a student’s committee.
Select additional courses, as needed, in consultation with an advisor to meet the minimum number of required credit hours for this program.
Students are encouraged to present their research at conferences, professional meetings, and symposia. Students also are encouraged to write grant proposals to help fund their research and to develop grant-writing skills. Students are expected to publish their research findings in peer-reviewed journals.
National Association of Research in Science Teaching (NARST) Science Education Graduate Association (SEGA)