Program of Study

General Requirements

The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 56 hours of course work plus a minimum of 30 hours of dissertation credit. Students with prior course work relevant to the Ph.D. emphasis may be eligible for a reduction in the credit hour requirement. Students may apply coursework from other qualifying institutions toward their degree, typically not to exceed 10 hours.

Course requirements
All PhD students are required to take the following seven courses in their first year:

• Perspectives on Classrooms Teaching and Learning (EDUC 8210)
• Qualitative Research Methods I (EDUC 8250)
• Quantitative Research Methods I (EDUC 8230)
• Introduction to Educational Research and Social Policy (EDUC 8220)
• Qualitative Research Methods II (EDUC 8260)
• Quantitative Research Methods II (EDUC 8240)
• Specialty Seminar (EDUC 8xxx, program area dependent)

Language/Culture Requirement
All students must complete a two-part language/culture requirement. Part one consists of a seminar in multicultural education (EDUC 8014) taken fall semester of the second year. Part two consists of three distinct options to enhance linguistic/cultural understanding, from which students choose only one option. For additional information please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook.

Comprehensive Examination
A written comprehensive exam must be completed toward the end of the completion coursework. The examination will cover content of all work in the program. Candidates transferring coursework from other institutions for this program will be responsible for the same knowledge as those whose work has been taken entirely at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Candidates must be registered for coursework (which includes enrollment in reading or independent study courses) or dissertation hours during the semester(s) in which they take the comprehensive exam.

Scholarly Product Requirement
All doctoral students in the School are required to complete, at a minimum, one scholarly product, typically before taking comprehensive examinations; other research endeavors prior to the dissertation are desirable. Presentations at professional meetings, technical research reports, and published articles and book reviews are typical ways in which the requirement is satisfied.

Dissertation
All students are required to write and publicly defend a dissertation under the supervision of a faculty committee composed of a chair and four other members.

EPSY Requirements*

Strand 1: Advanced Topics in Educational Psychology:
Twelve (12) semester hours selected with advisor's approval from the following:

• EDUC 8135-3 Seminar on Research on Teaching
• EDUC 8348-3 Seminar: Human Development (may be repeated for credit)
• EDUC 8358-3 Seminar: Human Learning (may be repeated for credit)
• EDUC 8368-3 Seminar: Instructional Psychology (may be repeated for credit)

Strand 2: Electives:
Thirteen (13) semester hours of graduate-level courses, with advisor's approval. At least six (6) of these hours must be outside educational psychology, and must be courses other than those used to satisfy requirements in Strands 1- 3. Note: These electives may be used to satisfy requirements toward the Institute for Cognitive Sciences certificate.

Each candidate is expected to participate, beyond course and program requirements, in the academic life of the university. Emphasis is on the candidate's growing independence in scholarship; annual evaluation of progress includes a review of general scholarly involvement as well as success in course work.

* Curriculum is under revision. There may be changes to program specific requirements.

Criteria for Admission

Admissions decisions are based on multiple criteria, including undergraduate academic record, scores on the Graduate Record Examination (Quantitative, Verbal, and Writing), letters of recommendation, and evidence of special accomplishments (e.g., exemplary performance in research courses, completed research papers), and relevant past experience. The criteria are considered in the aggregate. Special strength in one area can compensate for below-expectation status on another criterion. Congruence between program and student goals is also an important consideration. Admission to all graduate programs in the School of Education is competitive; meeting minimal admission criteria does not guarantee admission. The program has affirmative action goals; minority candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

Specific criteria:

• Undergraduate and/or graduate GPA of at least 3.0.
• GRE scores.
• Foundation work in psychology appropriate for graduate study.
• Academic and professional interests that are consonant with those of a member of the EPSY faculty.
• Supportive academic and/or professional recommendations.

Funding

Financial support is awarded on a competitive basis, as part of the admissions process. Students who are admitted receive support in the form of three-year packages that include tuition, an allowance for health insurance, and some combination of first-year fellowships and/or graduate assistantships.

For more information, contact

Dr. Ben Kirshner, Program Chair, Education 215, 303-492-6122, e-mail: ben.kirshner@colorado.edu

Application Information for Graduates
General CU Graduate Information
Online Course Catalog
Current Course Offerings