| 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 Science Education
Four strands of inquiry are woven into the various graduate courses. These strands emphasize faculty members’ expertise and interests while reflecting the current research agenda of the program area, including:
- Models of science teaching and learning,
- Models of science learning environment design,
- Models of teacher preparation and renewal and
- Models of engagement with scientists.
Many of the science education courses use innovative technologies in their design, including Web-based community portals, distance technologies, and hand-held data-collection devices. The program offers Master of Science (M.S.) (thesis) and Master of Education (M.Ed.) (non-thesis) degrees. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees are also available for students who are seeking a research as well as a teaching emphasis and college or university faculty positions. The TLAC department often has funding to support full-time Ph.D. students.
Students work closely with their advisors to develop an individualized program of study that best suits the student’s career goals while satisfying the core requirements of the department. Funding opportunities exist for full-time Ph.D. students to teach undergraduate teacher preparation courses, to do research with individual professors in shared areas of interest, and to work on sponsored projects offering opportunities such as professional development experiences for science teachers and innovative teaching interventions for K–16 students.
Note: This is not a teacher certification program.
Admissions
To be admitted to a graduate program, you must apply to the TLAC department and Texas A&M University.
Program Details
Degree: Curriculum & Instruction
Emphasis: Science Education
Degrees Offered: Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D.
Credit Hours: 64
Select Science of Education and update credit hours.
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
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.