About the Degree
This is a research focused doctoral degree for individuals with experience and deep interest in either formal science education (e.g., classrooms, schools, school districts or professional development) or informal science education (e.g., museums, aquaria, outdoor experience). Coursework emphasizes and is largely composed of graduate seminars. Students participate and serve in leadership roles with the Student Alliance of Graduates in Education (SAGE), an academic, professional, and social support community for Education graduate students.
Students work closely with a faculty mentor of their choice in science education who has an established program of research. In addition, students work collaboratively as a team with all of the faculty and other graduate students in the science education program. The degree requires students to successfully complete written and oral qualifying examinations along with the defense of a dissertation from an original research study that contributes to the field of science education.
This is a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction, a doctoral degree that serves all programs in the School of Teaching and Learning. Accordingly, here is general information on doctoral degrees in Curriculum & Instruction, including information about entrance requirements and the procedure for admission.
To earn the formal Concentration in Science Education, which will appear on your final transcript, students must complete the following as part of the required coursework:
- 9 credits of any SCE prefix at the 6000 level or higher (see SCE courses in the graduate catalog)
- 9 credits of any prefix at the 5000 level or higher from a college other than education that is affiliated with a science, medical or engineering domain (e.g. Biology, Geology, Chemistry, Veterinary Medicine, etc.)
When applying to the program, applicants should review the research interests of all program faculty in order to determine the degree of fit with their personal interest. Funding is available, but is typically only allocated for the fall term, so be aware of the application deadlines (middle of the page). The School of Teaching and Learning has adopted a waiver for the GRE for admissions to the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs effective Fall of 2023.
Supervised Teaching
Doctoral students are encouraged to teach at least one course during their program of study in the masters or undergraduate programs and/or supervise pre-service teachers for at least one semester. Such supervised teaching experiences include financial support and/or course credit. Applicants who are interested in teaching as a means of financial support should indicate their interest in a Teaching Assistantship on their applications.
Residency Information
A full-time residency is highly recommended with students spending at least two consecutive academic semesters (Fall/Spring) as full-time students in residence at the University of Florida. Minimum enrollment is 9 credit hours for a full-time student on an assistantship and 12 hours for a full-time student not on an assistantship.
Coursework in 6 Major Categories is Required
Area of Specialization
12-15 credits in science education or educational technology. Coursework emphasizes and is largely composed of graduate seminars.
To earn the Concentration in Science Education, students must complete the following as part of the required coursework:
- 9 credits of any SCE prefix at the 6000 level or higher (see SCE courses in the graduate catalog)
Content Area Specialization
12-15 credits of upper level/graduate science content coursework (preferably courses with a laboratory or field experience component)
To earn the Concentration in Science Education, students must complete the following as part of the required coursework:
- 9 credits of any prefix at the 5000 level or higher from a college other than education that is affiliated with a science, medical or engineering domain (e.g. Biology, Geology, Chemistry, Veterinary Medicine, etc.)
Curriculum/Foundations
6 credits in curriculum or foundations including psychological, social, or historical foundations. Coursework emphasizes and is largely composed of graduate seminars.
Doctoral Seminars
6 credits of doctoral seminars in the School of Teaching & Learning.
Research Methods
12 credits of educational research coursework in qualitative or quantitative research, two 3-credit foundations courses are required and the remaining 6 credits must be selected from the list of approved courses.
Required Foundations Coursework
EDF 6475– Qualitative Foundations of Educational Research (3 credits)
EDF 6400*– Quantitative Foundations of Educational Research Overview (3 credits)
* EDF 6403 (6 credits) can also be taken to fulfill this requirement because EDF 6403 is equivalent to the combination of EDF 6400 and EDF 6402 in one 6 credit course to be taken in one semester. Doctoral students should note that many of the quantitative courses in REM require EDF 6403 as a prerequisite, and hence a student interested in continuing quantitative studies beyond EDF 6400 may benefit from completing EDF 6403 to fulfill the required foundations coursework.
Doctoral Research
12-24 credits of supervised dissertation research
