Children, Families, & Schools PhD

Children, Families, & Schools doctoral students build a firm grounding in the philosophical, historical, and cultural foundations of learning and development. Their dissertation research topics reflect a wide range of scholarly interests, including family development, the child as learner, the human interactions involved in the teaching process, the implications of the new technologies for learning, character development, the family of the special needs child, and early intervention. In addition to the coursework, PhD students have the opportunity to build practical experience through field supervision and teaching assistantships with early-childhood and elementary teacher preparation programs.

Applicants to the program must have a master's degree in a related area (e.g., Education, Psychology, Communication Disorders) and teaching experience in a school setting. Many graduates of the program go on to faculty positions as in colleges and universities or leadership positions in preschool education.

Note: The Education Specialist (EdS) degree is an option for students who would like to pursue an advanced degree beyond a master's without the dissertation component of the doctorate.