About the PhD in International Education

Course of Study

The PhD requires a minimum of 42 course credits beyond the master’s degree, the successful completion of comprehensive exams, a minimum of 10 dissertation credits, and the successful defense of a dissertation.

Course Description Credits
  Required Courses: 2 courses 6
EDUC 733 Seminar in International Education 3
EDUC 739 Introduction to Inquiry  3
  Research Courses (4 courses minimum, 2 must be quantitative*) 12
EDUC 555 Introduction to Statistics I* 3
EDUC 619 Qualitative Research Methods 3
EDUC 652 Mixed Methods Research* 3
EDUC 656 Introduction to Statistics II* 3
EDUC 661 Education Research Methods I* 3
EDUC 671 Survey Research Methods* 3
EDUC 718 Action Research 3
EDUC 790E Social Network Analysis* 3
EDUC 797A Qualitative Data Analysis 3
EDUC 697SD Secondary Data Analysis* 3
EDUC 815 Researching Language, Literacy, and Culture (2 semesters) 3
EDUC 819 Alternative Research Methods 3
  Specialization Courses: 2 courses minimum 6
EDUC 626 Social Theories in Education 3
EDUC 635 Issues in Literacy Program Development 3
EDUC 678 Cultural Studies and International Development 3
EDUC 719 Theory and Practice of Non-formal Education 3
EDUC 720 Theories of International Development for Educators 3
EDUC 881 Comparative Education 3
  Focus Areas and Electives (6 course minimum, one must be outside College of Education) 18
EDUC 899 Dissertation credits 10

Degree Requirements

The PhD student, together with their faculty guidance committee, formulates an individualized study plan which typically includes study at three interrelated levels:
1) theoretical - to investigate, for example, the relationship between education and socioeconomic or political change or gender issues in education.
2) practical -  to develop skills, such as research and evaluation design and methods, planning and policy analysis, curriculum and materials development, training, and management.
3) contextual - to focus on specific sectors, such as literacy, health or agriculture, as well as different sociocultural settings. In addition, most students seek to strengthen their knowledge of current conditions in a particular country or region of the world.

PhD students have two required courses within the International Education specialization:

  • Foundation in International Education (3 credits, first semester)
  • Introduction to Inquiry (3 credits, first semester)

In addition, PhD students are required to take four research courses, two of which must be quantitative methods courses, as well as one course outside the College of Education.

The PhD requires a minimum of 42 course credits beyond the master’s degree, the successful completion of comprehensive exams, a minimum of 10 dissertation credits, and the successful defense of a dissertation. Typically:

a)   4 to 6 semesters are devoted to courses and study on campus.

b)   Course work is followed by the comprehensive examination, the form and content of which are related to the individual's program of study and are determined in consultation with a faculty committee.

c)   After successful completion of the comprehensive exams, the student has achieved candidacy and enrolls in dissertation credits, develops a research proposal, conducts independent research, and writes the dissertation. A public oral defense of the dissertation is required by the Graduate School.

See examples of recent doctoral dissertations.

This seminar forms the base of the research offerings for students in the Ph.D. in Policy & Leadership Studies. In the course, we will explicate knowledge production through systematic inquiry in education, including processes, questions, and strategies used to conduct meaningful research in educational systems including U.S. K-12 public schools, U.S. higher education, and international education. We explore the intersection of theory and practice with emphasis on the epistemological assumptions and design of thoughtful, ethical inquiry about education.  We also emphasize sound academic writing principles and provide structured guidance in developing those skills.

The purpose of this course is to give students in the social sciences and, in particular, education, skills in statistical reasoning so that they will be critical readers of research literature in their fields and in a position to design research studies and analyze data on their own.

Examines the history and philosophy as well as purposes and characteristics of mixed methods research, types of research problems addressed, major mixed methods designs, data collection, and analysis strategies. 

Explore how Social Network Analysis is used to examine connections between educational stakeholders (i.e. teachers, parents, administrators, students, etc.) and how these networks constrain and/or support diffusion of innovation, school improvement, and student learning.

Examination of ethnographic theory, methods, and techniques of researching language, literacy, and culture in educational settings.  It involves conceptualizing and conducting a full ethnographic study and learning how to use reflection on the fieldwork experiences to construct (or deconstruct) and articulate the theoretical basis, methods, and findings of your research. The course is organized to highlight both knowledge acquisition and reflection. Year-long course.  

Examination of the central issues in cultural studies in the context of international development education, with primary stress on the relationship between knowledge and power to confront and critique notions of intellect and institution.

Non-formal and popular education approaches to human development programs, particularly in international settings. An introduction to the basic philosophical and conceptual works in the field, including the theories of  Freire, Illich, and others. Assumptions and theories of non-formal and popular education to practice in adult basic education, community, and health education; critical issues in the planning and implementation of non-formal education.

Examines capitalist, socialist, and humanist theories of social and economic development. Identifies the assumptions, underlying values, and operational principles characteristic of specific theories and explores their  implications as international educators. A theoretical perspective for analyzing the role played by education in  different development perspectives.

Processes and problems of educational development in selected areas throughout the world. Interrelationship between education and culture, in a multicultural context. While historical antecedents are recognized, major emphasis on cultural forces responsible for contemporary educational practices.