Dec 03, 2024  
2024-2025 Rowan University Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Rowan University Academic Catalog

Doctor of Philosophy in Education


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The Doctor of Philosophy in Education is a multi-disciplinary research-focused degree anchored in the educational complexities of access, success, and equity that is designed to prepare candidates globally to assume roles as faculty and researchers in one of five concentrations: Counselor Education, Literacy Education, Higher & Postsecondary Education, Special Education, and Urban & Diverse Learning Environments. The unique underpinning of this program is the intersection of two primary research foci: (1) a commitment to redressing systemic and persistent barriers to quality education and (2) a dedication to using rigorous empirical research with area schools, districts, colleges, and other educational partners to improve equity in educational outcomes. The Doctor of Philosophy offers its candidates opportunities to engage in research, college level teaching, and clinical experiences that respond to the regions and the nation’s persistent challenges with educational access and equity in traditionally underserved communities.

The Doctor of Philosophy at Rowan University requires the completion of 72 graduate semester hours (s.h.) made up of 21 s.h. of core courses, 15 s.h. of research courses, 15 s.h. of concentration specific courses, and 21 s.h. of dissertation.

Concentrations

The doctoral program offers five (5) concentrations:

  1. Counselor Education: The Counselor Education concentration is designed specifically for those who wish to pursue careers as counselor educators at the university level, or as supervisors in schools or clinical settings. The program is committed to promoting the counseling profession and evidenced-based practices and initiatives through advanced curricular experiences that address systemic and persistent barriers for P-20 students.
  2. Higher & Postsecondary Education: The Higher & Postsecondary Education concentration of the Ph.D. in Education prepares students to conduct research on higher education organizations, students, and policy. Our graduates will pursue careers as academic faculty, researchers, senior college and university administrators, and policy analysts. Our curriculum provides a strong theoretical foundation in organizational theory, public policy, and issues of social justice in postsecondary institutions.
  3. Language & Literacy Education: The Language & Literacy Education Ph.D. concentration is designed to prepare individuals for roles in research, policy, and teaching in higher education. The courses examine influential theories and research that address the developmental, cognitive, motivational, multimodal, literary, linguistic, sociocultural and sociopolitical foundations of language and literacy. The program is strongly framed by a critical stance that emphasizes the transformative potential of language and literacy. Candidates for the literacy education doctorate conduct research examining major issues around the interaction of theory, research, and practice in their role in promoting access, equity and success across a range of educational contexts.
  4. Special Education: Students in the Special Education concentration examine critical issues in the field of special education and disability studies in education (DSE). The program encourages progressive thinking about traditional segregated special education practices, and changing educational structures to be fully inclusive for all students and families. At Rowan University, students and faculty engage in progressive research that promotes the development of inclusive schools and educational policy.
  5. Urban & Diverse Learning Environments: The Urban & Diverse Learning Environments concentration is designed to prepare future researchers, educators, community organizers, policymakers, and youth-focused change agents to understand and disrupt the contradictions that underpin educational and broader socioeconomic disparities. Our faculty actively engage in studying and challenging the social, political, and economic forces that bear on what is often labeled as “urban schooling,” and shape the contradictions faced by youth, families, teachers, and educational leaders in these diverse learning environments that so often can be characterized by both oppression and resilience.

Program Requirements


Note:


*Students will enroll in CASE 90801  twice for a total of 6 s.h.

Concentration Courses: 15 s.h.


Urban & Diverse Learning Environments


Required Dissertation Research Course


Ph.D. students must complete a minimum of 21 semester hours of Dissertation Research.

Total Required Credits for the Program: 72 s.h.


Foundation Courses

None

Graduation/Exit, Benchmark, and/or Thesis Requirements

Students must successfully complete and defend a dissertation.

Benchmarks: Successful completion of all benchmarks is required for continuation in and graduation from the program. Details regarding benchmarks’ timing and assessments will be shared with the student throughout the program by the Academic Advisor.

Benchmark I:

  • Timing: Successful completion of Annual Portfolio Review (Year 1 and Year 2).
  • Requirements: Students will prepare a portfolio that addresses reflections on and significant milestones regarding five prongs: 1. Content Expertise; 2. Conceptual/Theoretical Frameworks; 3. Research; 4. Teaching; and 5. Professional Service and Conduct. Students should also prepare a portfolio that provides substantiating evidence for each prong.

Benchmark II:

  • Timing: Taken in year 3 of the program.
  • Requirements: All doctoral candidates are required to pass a comprehensive examination prior to dissertation. The exam assesses candidates’ knowledge of research methodology and substantive theoretical and empirical issues, and serves as assessment of competencies that are relevant to the development of the dissertation.

Benchmark III:

  • Timing: Occurs after the completion of all 51 prescribed semester hours and successful completion of the Ph.D. comprehensive examination.
  • Requirements: Student must successfully complete the Ph.D. Dissertation Proposal.

Benchmark IV:

  • Timing: Occurs after the completion of a minimum of 21 s.h. of required dissertation research credits and successful completion of the Ph.D. Dissertation Proposal.
  • Requirements: Student must successfully complete the Ph.D. Final Dissertation Defense.

Minimum Required Grades and Cumulative GPA

The Ph.D. in Education is a Category 1 program.

For details regarding satisfactory academic progress and graduation requirements, please visit Academic Program Policy Categories  


Program Coordinator/Advisor Contact Information
Cecile Sam
3075 Herman D. James Hall
sam@rowan.edu

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