| Criteria | Ph.D. | Ed.D. |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Research skills | Development of scholarly practitioners |
| Ideal for | Those interested in academic careers, research, and teaching at the university level | Practitioners aiming for leadership roles in education settings |
| Career path examples | Academic faculty positions (e.g., professor); Researcher in government or private firms | Professional leadership roles (e.g., in school districts); Teacher educator (e.g., faculty at community or local colleges) |
| Location | On-campus only, a few courses online | All online |
| Coursework | Focused on research methodology, theory, and content | Focused on content, application, and practical research |
| Time | 3 – 4 years full time (2 years of coursework, 1-2 years of research) | 4 years, completed while you work full time |
| Final Exam | Dissertation (Empirical research) | Record of study (Community-based research) |
Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: Emphasis in Early Childhood Education
The program offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. In addition to taking a core curriculum shared with all students of Curriculum and Instruction, students will complete courses specific to the Early Childhood Education program. This is an interdisciplinary emphasis area with courses across departments and programs. The goal of the program is to train the next generation of early childhood researchers and leaders.
Students in the Early Childhood Education Ph.D. program will have opportunities to engage with faculty and research through the Texas A&M Institute for Early Childhood Development and Education (https://education.tamu.edu/early-childhood-institute). The Institute is a close community of interdisciplinary scholars working to bring cutting-edge research to practice, transforming the lives of young children. This unique resource will allow you to tailor your Ph.D. experience to your interests, develop partnerships with community leaders in early childhood education, conduct collaborative research, and develop the skills needed to become a leader in the field of early childhood education.
Admissions
To be admitted to a graduate program, you must apply to the TLAC department and Texas A&M University.
How to applyProgram Details
Degree: Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction
Emphasis: Early Childhood Education
Degrees Offered: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Delivery: Traditional
Credit Hours: 64 (for students who already have a Master’s degree), or 96 (for students without a Master’s degree)
For a better understanding of your total cost of attendance (COA), please visit our cost and tuition rates webpage (https://aggie.tamu.edu/billing-and-payments/cost-and-tuition-rates). This webpage will provide you with an opportunity to review estimated COA information for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as other resources such as the tuition calculator and billing and fee explanations.
Contact Advisors
Contact Faculty
Resources
Early Childhood Institute
https://education.tamu.edu/early-childhood-institute
Lab Schools
Becky Gates Children’s Center
https://bgcc.tamu.edu
Charlotte Sharp Children’s Center
https://csccprek.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Doctoral
Which doctoral degree is right for me, Ph.D. or Ed.D.?
Please visit our web page at https://tlac.tamu.edu/academics/online-ed-d/#program-comparison to view the key components of the Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs.
I still have further questions—who can I contact to help me answer those?
Please feel free to contact our Graduate Advising Office with any questions you may have. Our office information can be found at https://tlac.tamu.edu/student-services/graduate-advising.
Can you guide me through the application process?
Please visit our web page at https://tlac.tamu.edu/admissions/masters-admissions or https://tlac.tamu.edu/admissions/doctoral-admissions for step-by-step information about applying for our master’s and doctoral programs.
How to Apply: Master’s Application Information | Doctoral Application Information
How soon can I apply?
Prospective students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible!
I live out of state. Do you accept out-of-state applicants?
Yes, we accept in-state and out-of-state applicants.
Is there any opportunity for financial assistance?
Yes, there are opportunities for financial assistance through the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid at https://financialaid.tamu.edu.
What are the typical program costs?
You can base the cost of attendance on 64 graduate credit hours (for doctoral students).
For a better understanding of your total cost of attendance (COA), please visit our cost and tuition rates webpage (https://aggie.tamu.edu/billing-and-payments/cost-and-tuition-rates). This webpage will provide you with an opportunity to review estimated COA information for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as other resources such as the tuition calculator and billing and fee explanations.
Is the GRE required?
GRE is only required for Ed.D. applicants.