Students in the PhD in Foundations of Education study the broad issues of educational systems and schools. Designed for students interested in research and leadership in foundational areas that support education, this program develops individuals as researchers and leaders in school, governmental, non-governmental/NGO, and nonprofit settings interested in improving education.

The PhD in Foundations of Education is a 60 semester hour program. Students take core educational courses along with courses selected with faculty based on the student's interests and goals. The program culminates with the completion of original research addressing a problem in foundations of education based on the student's area of concentration. Coursework can be completed on campus or through a combination of on-campus and online courses. 

There are two areas of concentration.

Educational Psychology: For students interested in focused study of the psychological dimensions of education including teaching, learning, and human development. This program is 100% online.

Foundations of Education: For students interested in focused study of methodological and theoretical interdisciplinary research involving interdisciplinary sociology, anthropology, philosophy and history of education, as well as democratic education, culturally relevant teaching, and social justice.

Admission to the PhD in Foundations of Education

In addition to admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, admission to the doctoral program requires the following:

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university

• Previous academic work necessary to successfully complete a doctoral program in the area of study

• Evidence of research and writing ability such as a master’s thesis, proctored writing sample, a written research report, one or more reprints of publications, a paper presented to a professional society, or similar evidence of competence 

• A statement of purpose that describes why you wish to pursue this doctoral program and includes information on previous study, educational experience, professional accomplishments, immediate and future professional goals, a proposed time schedule for completing the degree, and any other information that you believe is relevant for admission into this doctoral degree program

What to Submit with Your Application 

• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education

• A sample of academic writing (e.g. report, thesis, project, or academic paper)

• Statement of purpose

• Three letters of recommendation 

• Resume or curriculum vitae

For the concentrations in foundations of education or educational psychology: a professional interview may be required after the completion of the written application. 

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS BY CONCENTRATION

• Educational Psychology
• Foundations of Education

Educational Psychology

For the Doctor of Philosophy in Foundations of Education: Educational Psychology students must complete the following program requirements:

• A minimum of 60 semester credit hours of approved doctoral level (7000/8000 level) course work 
• 27 credit hours of courses of specialization in educational psychology
• 9 credit hours of cognate courses within one disciplinary area that is aligned with the degree, chosen from programs in the College. Examples of cognate disciplines include Higher Education, Theory and Social Foundations, and other complementary programs.
• 12 credit hours of research tools courses in one track. Students are required to chose either a quantitative research track or a qualitative research track. 
• A written comprehensive program examination and, if specified, a cognate examination 
• An oral comprehensive program examination after passing written examination
• 12 credit hours of dissertation research in educational psychology 
• An oral presentation and defense of a dissertation research proposal
• An oral presentation and defense of the completed dissertation research in a public forum

• A written document of the completed dissertation research in approved style and format

All coursework and requirements of the doctoral degree must be taken within a seven-year period immediately preceding the date the degree is awarded.

Other Program Requirements

Coursework Phase

• A doctoral program committee is required after the first 18 hours are completed. The doctoral program committee has a minimum of three members who are selected from the membership of the graduate faculty of the University. The doctoral program committee is responsible for assisting the student in the development of a plan of study and assuring competence by overseeing the comprehensive program written examination and the comprehensive program oral examination.

Program EXAMINATIONS 

• A written comprehensive program examination and, if specified, a cognate examination 
• An oral comprehensive program examination after successful completion of the written examination

Dissertation Research Phase

• A doctoral dissertation committee is required immediately after the completion of the required coursework, the comprehensive program written examination, and the comprehensive program oral examination. The dissertation committee has a minimum of four graduate faculty members within the major and/or with expertise related to the dissertation, one of whom is not in the discipline major. The dissertation committee is responsible for guiding dissertation research and approving the dissertation concept, research proposal, and the completed dissertation research, both the written dissertation and oral dissertation defense. Students must work closely with the committee throughout the dissertation process. 
• All research with human subjects must be approved by the Institutional Research Board (IRB) before beginning any phase of the research study. Students must complete IRB training as defined by the University's Human Research Protection Program.
• A public defense of the dissertation is required.
• The final written dissertation must be approved by the dissertation committee and formatted according the guidelines of the college and the College of Graduate Study. Electronic submission of the dissertation to OhioLINK ​is mandatory.

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Foundations of Education

• A minimum of 60 semester credit hours of doctoral level (7000/8000 level) course work
• 27 credit hours of specialization in foundations of education
• 9 credit hours of cognate courses within one disciplinary area that is aligned with the degree, chosen from programs in the College 
• 12 credit hours of research tools courses
• A written comprehensive program examination and, if specified, a cognate examination 
• An oral comprehensive program examination after passing written examinations
• 12 credit hours of dissertation research in foundations of education
• An oral presentation and defense of a dissertation research proposal
• An oral presentation and defense of the completed dissertation research in a public forum
• A written document of the completed dissertation research in approved style and format

All coursework and requirements of the doctoral degree must be taken within a seven-year period immediately preceding the date the degree is awarded.

Other Program Requirements

COURSE WORK PHASE

A doctoral program committee is required before the completion of 18 credit hours. The doctoral program committee has a minimum of three members who are selected from the membership of the graduate faculty of the University. The doctoral program committee is responsible for assisting the student in the development of a plan of study and assuring competence by overseeing the comprehensive program written examination and comprehensive program oral examination.

Program EXAMINATIONS 

• A written comprehensive program examination and, if specified, a cognate examination 
• An oral comprehensive program examination after successful completion of the written examination

Dissertation Research Phase

• A doctoral dissertation committee is required immediately after the completion of the required coursework, comprehensive program written examination, and comprehensive program oral examination. The dissertation committee has a minimum of four graduate faculty members including one who is not in the discipline major. The dissertation committee is responsible for guiding dissertation research and approving the dissertation concept, research proposal, and the completed dissertation research, both the written dissertation and oral dissertation defense. Students must work closely with the committee throughout the dissertation process. 
• All research with human subjects must be approved by the Institutional Research Board before beginning any phase of the research study. Students must complete IRB training as defined by the University's Human Research Protection Program.
• A public defense of the dissertation is required.
• The final written dissertation must be approved by the dissertation committee and formatted according the guidelines of the college and the College of Graduate Study. Electronic submission of the dissertation to OhioLINK ​is mandatory.

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GUIDES FOR PLANNING BY CONCENTRATION

• Educational Psychology
• Foundations of Education

 Educational Psychology

Guide for Developing  Developing a Plan of Study

Below is a guide for developing a Plan of Study for the PhD in Foundations of Education: Educational Psychology. Students should review their degree audit and work with their faculty advisor to identify specific courses to fulfill program requirements. 

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 Foundations of Education

Guide for Developing  a Plan of Study

Below is a guide for developing a Plan of Study for the PhD in Foundations of Education. Students should review their degree audit and work with their faculty advisor to identify specific courses to fulfill program requirements. 

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• PLO 1. demonstrate knowledge of the disciplinary content of SPFE through citation, synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of major scholarship in the field;
• PLO 2. demonstrate knowledge of principles and theories of educational sociology, history of education, philosophy of education,, and interdisciplinary foundations of education through cited, analytic discussion of classic and current research in those disciplines;
• PLO 3. demonstrate ethical dispositions in teaching and research through the quality and integrity of their scholarship, teaching methods, attention to democratic practices, diversity, and participation in the academic and civic community as demonstrated in their mentored work (compensated or voluntary) in the program and community;
• PLO 4. explain specific research methodologies including the theoretical assumptions upon which they are based, the methods of data collection and analysis, the issues of representation, and the foundations of validity, and explain when they are most appropriate to use (i.e., with what research problems or questions);
• PLO 5. collect, analyze and interpret, with a level of validity acceptable within a research community, at least one of the following types of research data: quantitative, qualitative, and/or interpretive; and
• PLO 6. demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for theory application by doing the following: a. select a specific phenomenon and propose an investigation of the phenomenon, in writing, from the theoretical perspective most relevant to the phenomenon; b. conduct the investigation; c. articulate conclusions drawn from the data produced by the investigation and; d. defend the conclusions drawn from the data by relating the conclusions to the theoretical perspective used to conduct the investigation.