Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• demonstrate understanding and application of research methods and methodological knowledge;
• demonstrate understanding of and ability to analyze theoretical concepts and research in their field of study;
• express ideas effectively in written and spoken communication;
• connect research to practice and practical questions in education; and
• plan, conduct, report on, and disseminate original research.

Students admitted to doctoral programs must complete the program's research requirements.

Required Core Courses

All PhD students in the Department of Teaching and Learning must complete one or both of the following core courses, depending upon program requirements.

Cognate Areas

The following list of cognates offered by program areas in the department is not exhaustive; students may select cognates from this list, or they may customize their own cognate areas in consultation with their advisors.

Multilingual Education

Gifted Education

Administrative Strand

Programming Strand

Psychology Strand

Literacy, Culture, and Language Education

Mathematics Education

Science Education

Special Education

The Doctor of Philosophy in teaching and learning with a literacy, culture, and language education (LCLE) subprogram requires a minimum of 73 s.h. of graduate credit. All students must maintain a program grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.00. Students may be able to use some coursework completed for their master's degree toward the PhD; most courses for the PhD should be numbered 5000 or above.

This interdisciplinary program brings together scholarly traditions and contemporary theory in multilingual education and applied linguistics, literacy and cultural studies, and social studies education. The program provides students with the necessary content area knowledge and research skills for independent research, program administration, and varied leadership positions in LCLE education. In consultation with their advisor, students create a program of study that fits their interests and professional aspirations.

The PhD in teaching and learning with a literacy, culture, and language education subprogram requires the following coursework.

Required Courses

Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Foundations

Students choose a disciplinary area in literacy education, multilingual education, or social studies education for their three foundational courses. They then select one or both of the other areas for their interdisciplinary foundation coursework.

Research Methods

Electives

Students choose 27 s.h. of elective coursework in consultation with their advisor. Courses may be taken in any department and can be partially or completely unified as a cognate area of study.

Comprehensive Examination

Upon completion of their coursework, students take their comprehensive exam. This is an opportunity for students to show a comprehensive understanding of the scholarship in the field. Successful completion of the exam identifies candidates who are ready for dissertation work.

Dissertation

After students pass their comprehensive exam, they consult with their advisor to choose a dissertation committee with at least four faculty members who approve the dissertation proposal. After a successful defense of their dissertation, students conduct dissertation research in the following course.

Admission

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. They must have earned a bachelor's degree with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale and earned a master's degree or completed significant graduate coursework. It is recommended that applicants have at least two years of teaching experience in a related field within or outside of the United States.

The Doctor of Philosophy in teaching and learning with a mathematics education subprogram requires a minimum of 80–90 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must have a program grade-point average of at least 3.00 or higher in all graduate work in mathematics, all University of Iowa graduate work in mathematics, all graduate work, and all University of Iowa graduate work.

The program prepares supervisors, teacher education personnel, community college personnel, and researchers in mathematics education. It is administered by the College of Education. Students must update graduate coursework completed more than 10 years before admission to the program.

The PhD program in teaching and learning with a mathematics education subprogram requires the following coursework.

Required Courses

Students must complete a minimum of 15 s.h. in qualitative and quantitative coursework, with at least 9 s.h. from one area (qualitative or quantitative) and at least 6 s.h. from the other. Students select from courses listed under PhD Research Requirements on the college's Graduate Student Life website.

Core Course

In addition, students must complete an approved cognate area; see the "Additional Requirements" section.

Students must complete a minimum of 24 s.h. of graduate work in the departments of Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics and Actuarial Science, as approved by their advisor. Electives are encouraged in the pure mathematics and applied mathematics sequences.

Students who completed their mathematics requirement at another institution must complete at least 6 s.h. of additional coursework in mathematics at the University of Iowa, chosen with advisor approval. They also must complete at least six courses in mathematics education.

Additional Requirements

Students concentrate in two additional comprehensive examination areas in either the mathematical sciences or education. A minimum of three courses usually are required for a comprehensive examination area, but candidates should consult with faculty members in the areas selected to determine which courses they should take in order to adequately prepare for the examinations.

Students must complete a total of at least 36 s.h. in College of Education courses; this includes the coursework listed above. They must complete an approved cognate area; a partial list of potential cognate areas is available from the mathematics education program.

Comprehensive Examination

Students take three written comprehensive examinations, one in mathematics education and two in other fields of education or mathematics; an oral examination follows the written examinations.

Dissertation

Candidates complete a dissertation on a research problem in mathematics education. A prospectus of the proposed research must be presented to the dissertation committee before candidates undertake the study. Upon completion of the dissertation, candidates defend the dissertation in an oral examination. Students must earn dissertation credit in the following course.

Admission

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. They must have an undergraduate major in mathematics or the equivalent, a current teaching license/certificate, and at least two years of teaching experience are strongly preferred. A faculty review committee makes admission decisions.

The Doctor of Philosophy in teaching and learning with a science education subprogram requires a minimum of 85 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a program grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.00.

The program is designed for individuals who aspire to positions as college and university science educators; major supervisors in national, state, and local systems; teachers in small liberal arts colleges; instructors of general education science courses at major universities; research directors in science education; and professionals in medical and/or allied health education.

The PhD in teaching and learning with a science education subprogram requires the following coursework.

Required Courses

Students in science education complete a minimum of 15 s.h. in qualitative and quantitative coursework, with at least 9 s.h. from one area (qualitative or quantitative) and at least 6 s.h. from the other. Students select from courses listed under PhD Research Requirements on the college's Graduate Student Life website. Course selections must be consistent with other requirements for the degree.

Core Courses

All doctoral students in science education complete one or both of the following core courses. Students may not substitute other courses for these.

In addition, all doctoral students in the Department of Teaching and Learning complete an approved cognate area; see "Cognate Areas" under PhD Required Research Courses in this section of the catalog.

Science Education

Education

Research in Science Education

Science Area

Students complete a family of courses (total of 12 s.h.) in a major science area.

Dissertation

Admission

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. They should have completed a bachelor's degree in a science area (or combination of science areas), in science education, or in elementary education with a science emphasis; and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 on undergraduate and graduate work.

The Doctor of Philosophy in teaching and learning with a special education subprogram requires a minimum of 90 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a program grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.00.

The program prepares students for teaching and research positions in higher education, and for curriculum, supervisory, and research positions in state and local education agencies. The program permits students to study and practice extensively in their special education interest area and in an interest area outside of special education.

The PhD curriculum includes an emphasis on research skills, all facets of special education, an approved cognate area, and at least one specialization area.

Quantitative Research Requirements

Qualitative Research Requirements

Core Course

Proseminar Courses

Seminar Requirements

Practicum Requirement

Cognate

Students complete a cognate or specialty area for at least 9 s.h. in consultation with their advisor.

Competencies

Students work with their advisor to ensure they meet two core competencies: one in teaching and one in supervision.

Comprehensive Examination

Students complete a three-part comprehensive examination that includes a qualifying exam I, a qualifying exam II, and a major area paper.

Dissertation

Students complete a doctoral dissertation for at least 10 s.h.

Admission

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. They must have a master's degree or equivalent in special education; those without an MA thesis must have completed an equivalent project. Applicants should have a graduate GPA of at least 3.50. Applicants should have at least one year of full-time teaching experience with exceptional children; several years are preferred.

Final admission decisions are made by the special education graduate admissions committee.

Sample Plans of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Teaching and Learning, PHD

• Literacy, Culture, and Language Education Subprogram
• Special Education Subprogram

Literacy, Culture, and Language Education Subprogram

a

The Teaching and Learning (Literacy, Culture, and Language Development) PhD requires students to have earned a master's degree prior to admission. Up to 34 s.h. can be transferred from a previously earned master's degree. This transfer credit can eliminate much of the first two years of coursework requirements at Iowa.

b

Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.

c

Graduate College program GPA is comprised of all courses that are approved degree requirements. If a student takes more than the minimum required number of semester hours to complete the degree, but all courses taken are eligible to count toward the degree, those courses will be included in the Graduate College program GPA.

d

Students choose a disciplinary area in literacy education, multilingual education, or social studies education for their three foundational courses. They then select one or both of the other areas for their interdisciplinary foundation coursework.

e

Students who utilize quantitative methods in their dissertation should take PSQF:6243.

f

Work with academic advisor to determine quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods coursework.

g

Work with academic advisor to determine appropriate elective coursework and sequence.

h

Taken upon completion of required coursework, typically during third year.

i

Dissertation defense.

Special Education Subprogram

a

Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.

b

Graduate College program GPA is comprised of all courses that are approved degree requirements. If a student takes more than the minimum required number of semester hours to complete the degree, but all courses taken are eligible to count toward the degree, those courses will be included in the Graduate College program GPA.

c

In consultation with faculty advisor, complete 9 s.h. in a cognate or specialty area.

d

Choose from EPLS:6206, PSQF:6220, PSQF:6244, PSQF:6246, PSQF:6247, PSQF:6249, PSQF:6252.

e

When offered, enroll in EDTL:7943 and EDTL:7944; otherwise take PSQF:7201 and EALL:4130 or advisor approved coursework.

f

Choose from CSED:7338, EDTL:7410, EPLS:7373, PSQF:7331.

g

When offered, enroll in EDTL:7945 and EDTL:7948; otherwise work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate coursework.

h

In consultation with faculty advisor, select appropriate graduate electives for remaining degree requirements.

i

Major area paper.

j

Typically completed by the end of third year.

k

Take EDTL:7380 twice for 3 s.h. each, once for teaching course and once for supervising field placement students.

l

Dissertation defense.