PhD Program Emphases
All students are required to complete at least 32 units of emphasis area course work. Each student and his or her faculty adviser proceed within the framework of one of the emphases listed below to select 32 units of emphasis area course work and complete other degree requirements. Alternatively, students with interests across two or more of these emphasis areas may work with their faculty advisers to select an appropriate combination of course work that draws from more than one emphasis.
Learning and Mind Sciences
Learning and Mind Sciences applies principles of psychological theory and research to learning, teaching and schooling. The psychology of human learning, motivation, development, individual differences, exceptionality, measurement, and cognitive/noncognitive assessments are the foundation of this program. Students will be engaged in theory and research that have implications on national schooling policies and practices, an area with a substantial need for future leaders.
Language, Literacy & Culture
Language, Literacy & Culture explores teaching, learning, and assessment of reading, writing, and oral language in diverse K-12 classrooms and communities; multicultural literature and literacies; second language acquisition; bilingual and second language education; language socialization, technology, and the socio-cultural contexts of literacy; and teacher preparation in language and literacy.
School Organization & Educational Policy
The School Organization & Educational Policy emphasis exposes students to a variety of critical topics, including education reform, school finance, social and cultural considerations of schooling contexts, legal issues in policy formation,
leadership, organizational change, communication and media strategies.
Mathematics Education
Mathematics Education focuses on reform in mathematics curriculum, design and evaluation of effective mathematics instruction, the process of learning mathematics, culture and practice in the mathematics classroom, teachers’ perspectives and development, and the impact of technology on the teaching of mathematics.
Science Education & Agricultural Education
The Science & Agricultural Education emphasis area focuses on the process of learning and teaching science and/or agricultural content, the design and evaluation of novel curriculum, and the impact of technology on teaching and learning. Faculty and students conduct research in authentic K-16 settings to understand the role of classroom culture and practice on science and agricultural education.