Doctor of Philosophy Concentration
Advising
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Throughout the process of coursework, qualifying exam, and dissertation research preparation, ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps work closely with their major ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps and committee members.
Doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps in elementary education receive many opportunities to develop as professionals and scholars. The world of academia is quite distinct, and there are several ways for doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps to engage as scholars.Doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps work alongside faculty on research projects, collaborative conference presentations, and collaborative publications.
Components of the Program
Doctoral Committee Membership
Within the first year of the program, ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps select doctoral committee members who challenge and guide their course selection and research opportunities. The committee includes a major ÅÝܽÊÓƵapp from the Elementary Education Program, a faculty member who represents the cognate field, and at least two other faculty members. Students select the committee members and may modify their committee membership based on changing interests, the need for faculty with different areas of expertise, or faculty availability.
Advanced Graduate Program Coordinator
The Advanced Graduate Program Coordinator serves as the initial advisor to doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps. The coordinator is a research faculty member who assists ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps as they enter the program. The coordinator guides ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps in their initial selection of courses, advises ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps as they select committee members, and supports ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps in their teaching and research endeavors.
The coordinator also directs many aspects of the doctoral program. The coordinator reviews applications and interviews applicants, secures funding and assistantships for ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps, monitors policy changes from the ÅÝܽÊÓƵapp and the College of Education, guides the development of courses, and monitors the residency experiences of ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps.
Throughout the program, doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps may seek advice and support from the Advanced Graduate Program Coordinator and any member of the faculty.
Academic Communities
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Doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps are expected to begin a focused line of research within the doctoral program. Membership in various professional associations offers doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps the opportunity to read across research journals. In addition, doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps must also attend national conferences to learn from other scholars, and they must publish original research in scholarly journals. There are several funding sources available to support doctoral ÅÝܽÊÓƵapp conference travel. Please visit our Financial Assistance page and also visit the .
Yearly Graduate Assistant Professional Development Conference
Each fall, we hold a two day conference to support the professional learning of graduate ÅÝܽÊÓƵapps. We engage in community-building activities, planning for coursework, guest speakers from across content areas, and discussing theoretical frameworks of teacher education.