Doctor of Philosophy
The School of Education offers Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs with two main degrees: Curriculum & Instruction, and Educational Leadership & Research.
- Curriculum & Instruction: This degree offers specializations in various areas such as language arts/children’s literature, curriculum studies, early childhood education, English education, foreign language education, gifted education, mathematics education, reading/literacy, science education, social studies education, and special education.
-
Educational Leadership & Research: This degree offers specializations in educational leadership, higher education administration, educational research methodology, and educational technology (please note that admissions to the educational technology specialization are currently suspended).
The academic course plan for each student is individually tailored in consultation with a graduate advisory committee, consisting of the student’s major advisor and at least two additional members of the graduate faculty to meet the LSU Graduate School’s requirements.
Application deadlines Curriculum & Instruction:
- Fall admission - February 1 for Priority Admission, April 15 deadline
- Spring admission - November 15
Application deadlines Educational Leadership & Research:
- Educational Leadership specialization
- Fall admission - February 1 for priority admission, April 15 deadline
- Higher Education Administration specialization
- Fall admission - February 1 for priority admission, April 15 deadline
- Spring admission - November 15
- Summer admission - April 15
Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction | PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Curriculum & Instruction (PhD) prepares graduates for careers as scholars, researchers or teacher educators in higher education or to hold research-oriented leadership positions.
Admitted students are anticipated to have a master’s degree; students who do not have a master’s degree must complete a 90-hour curriculum required for the PhD.
The PhD degree program requires passing of a General Exam consisting of written questions and a comprehensive oral exam; write a dissertation proposal and pass an oral defense of the proposal; and write a dissertation and pass an oral defense of the dissertation. To graduate, students must earn a total of 90 graduate-level credit hours, including 9-18 credit hours dedicated to the dissertation.
Required coursework:
These courses must be taken consecutively during the first year of enrollment:
ELRC 7299 Introduction to Scholarship in Education (3)
EDCI 7910 Traditions of Inquiry (3)
ELRC 7006 Educational Statistics (4)
ELRC 7241 Educational Research Methodology (3)
ELRC 7243 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (3)
EDCI 9000 Dissertation Research (12-15)
EDCI 7901 Curriculum Theory (3)
Plus, at least 3 courses from the following list in consultation with your advisor:
EDCI 4800 Teaching in the Multicultural Classroom (3)
EDCI 5880 Special Topics in Education (1-3)
EDCI 7821/7822 Problems in Curriculum & Instruction (2 - 4)
EDCI 7824 Elementary School Curriculum (3)
EDCI 7825 Secondary School Curriculum (3)
EDCI 7903 Curriculum Planning (3)
EDCI 7904 Education and Cognition (3)
EDCI 7930/7931 Seminar(s) Curriculum & Instruction (1 - 6)
ELRC 7600 Issues of Race and Gender in Higher Education (3)
ELRC 7890 Seminar: Educational Administration (Curriculum & College Teaching) (1 - 3)
Select in consultation with your advisor.
Select in consultation with your advisor. Possibilities include African American Studies, International Studies, Political Science, or Women’s & Gender Studies. 12 to 18 hours, or as required by the minor field, are to be taken. At least one doctoral committee member must represent the minor field.
The remaining courses to complete the program of studies must be selected with the approval of the student’s graduate advisor committee.
To be eligible for this specialization, students should have a minimum composite score of 297, with a minimum verbal score of 153 and a minimum quantitative score of 144.
Required coursework:
These courses must be taken consecutively during the first year of enrollment:
ELRC 7299 Introduction to Scholarship in Education (3)
EDCI 7910 Traditions of Inquiry (3)
ELRC 7006 Educational Statistics (4)
ELRC 7241 Educational Research Methodology (3)
ELRC 7243 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (3)
EDCI 7850 Intervention Research in the Early Childhood Classroom (3)
EDCI 9000 Dissertation Research (12-15)
Required:
EDCI 7054 Child Guidance and Behavior (3)
EDCI 7055 Human Development (3 - 6 if topics vary)
EDCI 7056 Theories of Child Development (3)
Select at least 3 from list below in consultation with your advisor:
CFS 7051 The Contemporary Family (3)
EDCI 4060 Organization and Administration of Early Childhood Programs (3)
EDCI 4382 Critical Issues in Early Childhood Education (3)
EDCI 7059 Parent Involvement in Early Childhood Education (3)
EDCI 7307 Topics in Curriculum & Instruction (3 - 6 if topics vary)
EDCI 7112 Early Literacy Development and Instruction (3)
EDCI 7843 Early Childhood Education (3)
EDCI 7902 Analysis of Research on Teaching (3)
EDCI 7903 Curriculum Planning (3)
EDCI 7904 Education and Cognition (3)
EDCI 7910 Traditions of Inquiry in Education (3)
EDCI 7920 Analysis of Research in Curriculum & Instruction (3)
EDCI 7921 Analysis of Research in Curriculum & Instruction (3)
Select in consultation with your advisor. Possibilities include Statistics, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, or Political Science.
The remaining courses to complete the program of studies must be selected with the approval of the student’s graduate advisor committee.
If you are interested in policy electives, you may consider these courses:
EDCI 7107 Topics in Reading Education (3)
ELRC 7001 Ethics and Educational Leadership (3)
ELRC 7407 Politics, Policy and Administration in Education (3)
Required coursework:
These courses must be taken consecutively during the first year of enrollment:
ELRC 7299 Introduction to Scholarship in Education (3)
EDCI 7910 Traditions of Inquiry (3)
Dissertation hours (EDCI 9000): a minimum of twelve hours and a maximum of eighteen hours must be taken within the 90-hour program. (Additional hours may be taken beyond the 18 hours but cannot be used to satisfy the research requirement.)
Three research courses ELRC 7006 or equivalent; ELRC 7241 or equivalent; ELRC 7243 or equivalent. Students may use courses from the list below or other courses approved by the major advisor:
Generic Methods Courses
EDCI 7475 Research Project in Secondary or K-12 Teacher Education (3)
LHRD 7921 Applied Qualitative Research Methods (3)
SOCL 7211 Seminar: Methods of Social Investigation (3)
Qualitative Methods Courses
ANTH 4090 Ethnographic Methodology (3)
ELRC 7243 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (4)
ENGL 7621 Research Methods in Composition, Literacy and Rhetorical Studies (3)
HIST 7957 Research Seminar in American History (3)
Quantitative Methods Courses
ELRC 7006 Educational Statistics (4)
ELRC 7016 Advanced Educational Statistics (4)
ELRC 7241 Educational Research Methodology (3)
PSYC 7117 Methodology and Research Design (3)
SOCL 7201 Fundamental Statistics in Sociology (3)
SOCL 7203/POLI 7963 Advanced Research Methods in Social Science (3)
Select in consultation with your advisor. 12 to 18 hours, or as required by the minor field, are to be taken. At least one doctoral committee member must represent the minor field.
Required coursework:
These courses must be taken consecutively during the first year of enrollment:
ELRC 7299 Introduction to Scholarship in Education (3)
EDCI 7910 Traditions of Inquiry (3)
Dissertation hours (EDCI 9000): normally fifteen (15) credit hours are to be taken within the 90-hour program. (Additional hours may be taken, but cannot be used to satisfy the research requirement.)
Three (3) research courses: ELRC 7006 or equivalent; ELRC 7241 or equivalent; ELRC 7243 or equivalent.
These courses, except EDCI 7920, are offered on a two-year cycle:
EDCI 7109 Studies in the Teaching of Elementary School Mathematics (fall) (3)
EDCI 7141 Studies in the Teaching of Mathematics in Secondary Schools (fall) (3)
EDCI 7312 Diagnostic and Prescriptive Teaching in Mathematics (spring) (3)
EDCI 7309 Topics in Mathematics Education (The Culture of Mathematical Problem Solving) (summer)
(3)
EDCI 7920 Analysis of Research in Curriculum and Instruction (Analysis of Research in Mathematics
Education) (occasional) (3)
Students entering the program with less than a master's degree in mathematics are expected to take a minimum of 2-3 mathematics courses as part of their major area of study.
Select in consultation with your advisor. 12 to 18 hours, or as required by the minor field, are to be taken. At least one doctoral committee member must represent the minor field.
The remaining courses to complete the program of studies must be selected with the approval of the student’s graduate advisor committee.
Required coursework:
These courses must be taken consecutively during the first year of enrollment:
ELRC 7299 Introduction to Scholarship in Education (3)
EDCI 7910 Traditions of Inquiry (3)
Students may use courses from the list below or other courses approved by the major advisor.
Generic Methods Courses
EDCI 7475 Research Project in Secondary or K-12 Teacher Education (3)
SOCL 7211 Seminar: Methods of Social Investigation (3)
Qualitative Methods Courses
ANTH 4090 Ethnographic Methodology (3)
ELRC 7243 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (4)
ENGL 7621 Research Methods in Composition, Literacy and Rhetorical Studies (3)
LHRD 7921 Applied Qualitative Research Methods (3)
Quantitative Methods Courses
ELRC 7006 Educational Statistics (4)
ELRC 7016 Advanced Educational Statistics (4)
ELRC 7241 Educational Research Methodology (3)
PSYC 7117 Methodology and Research Design (3)
SOCL 7201 Fundamental Statistics in Sociology (3)
SOCL 7203/POLI 7963 Advanced Research Methods in Social Science (3)
Dissertation hours (EDCI 9000): a minimum of twelve hours and a maximum of eighteen hours must be taken within the 90-hour program. (Additional hours may be taken beyond the 18 hours but cannot be used to satisfy the research requirement.)
Select in consultation with your advisor. 12 to 18 hours, or as required by the minor field, are to be taken. At least one doctoral committee member must represent the minor field.
The remaining courses to complete the program of studies must be selected with the approval of the student’s graduate advisor committee.
Required coursework:
These courses must be taken consecutively during the first year of enrollment:
ELRC 7299 Introduction to Scholarship in Education (3)
EDCI 7910 Traditions of Inquiry (3)
Dissertation hours (EDCI 9000): a minimum of 12 hours and a maximum of 18 hours are to be taken within the 90-hour program. Additional hours may be taken beyond the 18 but cannot be used to satisfy the research requirement.
Three research courses: ELRC 7006 or equivalent; ELRC 7241 or equivalent; ELRC 7243 or equivalent. Students may use courses from the list below or other courses approved by the major advisor:
Generic methods courses
LHRD 7921 Applied Qualitative Research Methods (3)
SOCL 7211 Seminar: Methods of Social Investigation (3)
or approved equivalent
Qualitative methods courses
ANTH 4090 Ethnographic Methodology (3)
ELRC 7243 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (4)
or approved equivalent
Quantitative methods courses
ELRC 7006 Educational Statistics (4)
ELRC 7016 Advanced Educational Statistics (4)
ELRC 7241 Educational Research Methodology (3)
PSYC 7117 Methodology and Research Design (3)
SOCL 7201 Fundamental Statistics in Sociology (3)
SOCL 7203/POLI 7963 Advanced Research Methods in Social Science (3)
or approved equivalent
Students will develop a plan of study in consultation with and approved by their graduate advisory committee. The following course topics have been offered in the past and are specific to the Science Education area of specialization:
EDCI 5880 Special Topics in Education: Assessment in Math and Science (3)
EDCI 7307 Topics in Curriculum and Instruction: Using Informal Settings to Teach Science and
Math (3)
EDCI 7308 Topics in Science Education: Teaching the Nature of Science (3)
EDCI 7308 Topics in Science Education: Technology Integration in Science and Math (3)
EDCI 7921 Analysis of Research in Curriculum & Instruction: Inquiry in Science and Mathematics
(3)
EDCI 7930 Seminar: Curriculum & Instruction: Trends and Issues in Science Education (3)
EDCI 7931 Seminar: Curriculum & Instruction: Project-Based Learning in Science and Mathematics
(3)
EDCI 7931 Seminar: Curriculum & Instruction: Sociocultural Perspectives in Science and Mathematics
(3)
Select in consultation with your advisor. 12 to 18 hours, or as required by the minor field, are to be taken. At least one doctoral committee member must represent the minor field.
The remaining courses to complete the program of studies must be selected with the approval of the student’s graduate advisor committee.
Curricular requirements include:
- Six hours of core courses
- Nine hours in research methods
- 12 - 18 hours of dissertation research
- 50 hours in the area of specialization
Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership & Research | PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Leadership & Research (PhD) prepares graduates to become scholars and administrators in colleges and universities, and to use research and data to implement academic structures that address student needs.
Admitted students are anticipated to have a master’s degree; students who do not have a master’s degree must complete a 90-hour curriculum required for the PhD.
The PhD degree program requires passing of a General Exam consisting of written questions and a comprehensive oral exam; write a dissertation proposal and pass an oral defense of the proposal; and write a dissertation and pass an oral defense of the dissertation. To graduate, students must earn a total of 90 graduate-level credit hours, including 9-18 credit hours dedicated to the dissertation.
Admission Requirements:
Candidates must have at least 3 years of teaching experience to be admitted. Students pursuing the Educational Leadership Specialization are expected to ideally have earned a Master’s degree in educational leadership. We occasionally accept students with a Master’s in an educational field; however, these students may be required to take additional coursework on a case-by-case basis.
In addition to the Graduate School requirements, the Educational Leadership Specialization requires:
- Minimum one-page letter of intent that explains the reasons why you are seeking a PhD
- Current curriculum vitae
- At least two professional letters of recommendation, and
- Competitive scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), verbal, quantitative, and writing sections.
The curricular requirements for Educational Leadership include:
- A core area of 20 hours which includes 14 hours of research, and six hours in a school core.
- 24 hours in the primary area of P-12 Leadership specialization.
- Nine hours of dissertation research.
- Admitted students are anticipated to have a master’s degree; students who do not have a master’s degree must complete a minimum of 37 hours in addition to the 53 hours required for the PhD.
Meet current doctoral students and recent graduates on this webpage.
Required coursework:
ELRC 7299 Introduction to Scholarship in Education (3)
EDCI 7910 Traditions of Inquiry (3)
ELRC 7000 Philosophy of Education (3)
ELRC 7001 Ethics and Educational Leadership (3)
ELRC 7402 Organizational Leadership (3)
ELRC 7407 Politics, Policy, and Administration in Education (3)
ELRC 7805 Perspectives on Leadership (3)
ELRC 7806 Leadership for Learning (3)
EDCI 7311.1 and .2 Topics in Language Arts Education (LSU Writing Project) (6) offered each summer
EDCI 7314 Teaching Written Composition from PK through Grade 6 (3) OR
EDCI 7142 Studies in the Teaching of Composition in Secondary Schools (3)
EDCI 7129 Writing Seminar: From Idea to Manuscript (3) offered every fall as a Saturday seminar
The curricular requirements for Educational Research Methodology include:
- A school core area of six hours.
- 14 hours in educational leadership and research program courses.
- 12 hours in the primary area of educational research methodology.
- 12 hours in an allied field.
- Three hours of advanced research practicum.
- Nine hours of dissertation research.
- Admitted students are anticipated to have a master’s degree; students who do not have a master’s degree must complete a minimum of 34 hours in addition to the 56 hours required for the PhD.
ELRC 7299 Introduction to Scholarship in Education (3)
EDCI 7910 Traditions of Inquiry (3)
ELRC 7006 Educational Statistics (4)
ELRC 7241 Educational Research Methodology (3)
ELRC 7243 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (4)
Leadership course: choose a leadership course from CHSE offerings
Select 4 courses:
ELRC 7010 Principles of Testing and Measurement (3)
ELRC 7016 Advanced Educational Statistics (4)
ELRC 7220 Educational Program Evaluation (3)
ELRC 7280 Content Analysis of Qualitative Data (3 )
ELRC 7290 Seminar: Educational Research Methodology - Survey Research Methods (3)
ELRC 7263 Advanced Qualitative Methods (3)
ELRC 7270 Mixed Methods Research in Education (3)
You may choose a research course (3 hours) from other program or departments to meet your needs.
Select courses from an allied field (e.g., curriculum & instruction, sociology, anthropology, marketing) or establish a formal minor with a minor professor in another department (e.g., anthropology, experimental statistics, political science, psychology).
ELRC 7249 Advanced Research Practicum (3)
ELRC 9000 Dissertation Research (9)
The curricular requirements for Higher Education Administration include:
- A core area of 19 hours which includes 11 of research, and six hours in a school core.
- 24 hours in the primary area of higher education, of which at least 15 hours must be completed during the doctoral program. If a student does not have a previously earned graduate degree in higher education, all 24 hours must be in the primary area of higher education.
- Nine hours of dissertation research.
- Admitted students are anticipated to have a master’s degree; students who do not have a master’s degree must complete a minimum of 38 hours in addition to the 52 hours required for the PhD.
ELRC 7299 Introduction to Scholarship in Education (3)
EDCI 7910 Traditions of Inquiry (3)
ELRC 7006 Educational Statistics (4)
ELRC 7241 Educational Research Methodology (3)
ELRC 7243 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (4)
Additional research course selected with advisor’s approval
Examples of Higher Education Courses Recently Offered
ELRC 7600 Issues of Race and Gender in Higher Education (3)
ELRC 7601 Foundations of Higher Education (3)
ELRC 7602 Organization and Governance in Higher Education (3)
ELRC 7603 Leadership in Higher Education (3)
ELRC 7604 Politics and Policy of Higher Education (3)
ELRC 7607 Finance in Higher Education (3)
ELRC 7609 Strategic Planning in Higher Education (3)
ELRC 7610 Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education (3)
ELRC 7611 College Students in the United States (3)
ELRC 7612 Student Development Theory (3)
ELRC 7613 Community Colleges (3)
ELRC 7614 College Access and Choice (3)
ELRC 7870 Legal Aspects of Education (3)
ELRC 7890 Seminar: Educational Administration (topics vary) (3)
All concentration courses must be chosen in consultation with and approved by your advisor.
Continuous enrollment is required beyond nine hours until completion of degree.