The program in social and philosophical foundations of education
provides students with an opportunity for advanced study and research
in education from the perspectives provided by the social science and
humanities disciplines. The program prepares individuals for conducting
research, teaching at the postsecondary level, and assuming leadership
positions in public and higher education and other organizations.
The Ed.D. program in social and philosophical foundations of education
requires a minimum of 48 postbaccalaureate graduate credits, including
a maximum transfer of 18 credits from graduate work completed outside
of Rutgers prior to matriculation in the program. In addition, doctoral
students must register for a minimum of 24 research credits during
dissertation study. Programs are individually designed. Some students
choose to focus their studies through a coherent interdisciplinary
program of study. Other students, especially those preparing for
careers in higher education, focus their studies within a discipline.
All programs have three elements:
1. Course work in
area(s) of specialization chosen in consultation with their adviser (18
credits). Three credits of course work in social sciences of education
are required for students focusing in the humanities; 3 credits of
course work in the humanities are required for students focusing in the
social sciences. Curriculum theory students must complete a 9-credit
coherent selection of courses in the humanities and social sciences.
2. Nine credits in research methods courses appropriate to the
student`s scholarly and professional interests. Appropriate courses may
be taken outside of the program area. All students must take at least 6
credits in either quantitative or qualitative research. Applicable work
in the social and philosophical foundations area includes the
following:
15:310:536 Methods of Educational Ethnography (3)
15:310:601 Problems in History of Education (3)
15:310:615 Seminar in Philosophy of Education (3)
15:310:625 Advanced Seminar in Curriculum Theory and Development (3)
3. Core requirements: 3 credits from each of the following areas:
learning in a content area, policy and leadership, and psychological
foundations.
Residency Requirement
Doctoral students enroll for two consecutive terms in which at least 9 credits are completed in each term.
Ed.D. Qualifying Examination
Doctoral qualifying examinations normally are given to students at the
completion of their course work to assess the breadth and depth of the
knowledge that they have acquired during disciplined study. These
examinations are offered once each term. Students respond to four
questions in all: two questions in the area(s) of specialization, one
question from a cognate area within the program, and one question
concerning research and its applications.
Doctoral Dissertation
The doctoral dissertation is the capstone of doctoral studies. With the
advice of a duly constituted doctoral dissertation committee, Ed.D.
candidates prepare and defend a dissertation proposal and a doctoral
dissertation that demonstrate the ability to engage successfully in the
scholarly and systematic study of educational problems.
