PhD Degree Program in Research and Evaluation Methodology (REM)
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.
REM Requirements*
1. Advanced Research Methods (Courses selected according to emphasis [e.g. statistics, assessment, policy studies])
- Multivariate Analysis
- Advanced Multivariate Methods
- Introduction to Measurement ñ Survey Design
- Advanced Measurement
- Seminar in Assessment
- Participatory Action, Research, and Design Studies
- Narrative and Case Study Research
2. Additional course work (Courses selected according to emphasis [e.g. statistics, assessment, policy studies])
The course of studies varies considerably among candidates depending on the area of specialization and background. All candidates are expected to acquire a firm grounding in both quantitative and qualitative methods. Extensive interdisciplinary course work on the Boulder campus is expected in areas consistent with the candidate's specialization. For example, a candidate may emphasize qualitative research and take additional work in cultural anthropology, or policy analysis with additional work in political science, or specialize in educational measurement with a minor in psychology or statistics.
In addition to academic course preparation, candidates have opportunities and are expected to be involved in ongoing research projects with program faculty. Candidates are required to complete a publishable paper annually and participate at research conferences. The ratio of candidates to faculty in the program is never greater than 4 to 1 to ensure ample opportunity for informal interaction. Weekly brown-bag seminars are held for faculty and candidate presentations and to hear the work of visiting scholars. Because much of the candidate's training occurs outside of formal classes, only full-time candidates are admitted to the REM doctoral program. Typically three to five years are required to complete the PhD for candidates entering with a Bachelor's degree.
* Curriculum is under revision. There may be changes is program specific requirements.
Criteria for Admission
Individuals with any undergraduate major are eligible to apply. Admissions decisions are based on multiple criteria, including undergraduate academic record, scores on the Graduate Record Examination (quantitative, verbal, and writing), letters of recommendation, 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.
Individuals seeking admission to the PhD degree programs must satisfy the following minimum admission requirements of the Graduate School:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, or have done work equivalent to that required for such a degree.
- Show promise of ability to pursue advanced study and research, as judged by the studentís scholastic record.
- Have adequate preparation to enter graduate study in the chosen field.
- Have at least a 2.75 (2.00=C) undergraduate grade point average. Note: applicants who cannot meet this undergraduate standard may still secure regular admission if they have completed 12 semester hours of relevant graduate course work with at least a 3.25 average.
International applicants must also submit scores on the TOEFL.
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. Derek Briggs, program chair, Education 211, 303-492-6320, e-mail: derek.briggs@colorado.edu
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General CU Graduate Information
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