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Education - Ph.D.         Description Degrees Offered Admission Doctor of Philosophy in Education   Counselor Education Track   Elementary Education Track   Exceptional Education Track   Exercise Physiology Track   Hospitality Education Track   Instructional Technology Track   Mathematics Education Track Contact Info

Description

The Ph.D. in Education is a research-oriented degree appropriate for educators from school districts, businesses, industry, educational agencies, and other educational settings who need a strong research base in their careers.

It is the intent of this program to be interdisciplinary, allowing flexibility for students who will work in research clusters and learning communities with faculty on education-related research. Programs of study can be designed for those educators who seek faculty positions in a research university or research-oriented education positions in business and industry.

The doctoral program offers seven tracks: Counselor Education, Elementary Education, Exceptional Education, Exercise Physiology, Hospitality Education, Instructional Technology, and Mathematics Education.

Degrees Offered

Doctor of Philosophy in Education
• Counselor Education Track
• Elementary Education Track
• Exceptional Education Track
• Exercise Physiology Track
• Hospitality Education Track
• Instructional Technology Track
• Mathematics Education Track

Admission

For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions and Registration section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. Please be sure to submit all requested material by the established deadline(s).

In addition to the general admission requirements, applicants must provide:

• Evidence of a master’s degree in Education with an emphasis related to one of the tracks in the Ph.D. program and including master’s level competency in educational research and statistics
• GPA of 3.0 and GRE of 1000
• Three letters of recommendation
• Goal statement
• Resume
• Transcripts from all previously attended institutions
• For applicants from countries where English is not the official language, or for an applicant whose bachelor’s degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution, an official score of at least 220 (computer-based test; or equivalent score on the paper-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required.

Application Due Dates

All students applying for fellowships or assistantships must apply by the Fall Priority deadline date.

U.S. Applicants

Program(s)		Fall Priority	Fall	Spring	Summer
Doctor of Philosophy in Education		Dec 20	Feb 15
	Counselor Education Track	Dec 20	Feb 15
	Elementary Education Track	Dec 20	Feb 15
	Exceptional Education Track	Dec 20	Feb 15
	Exercise Physiology Track	Dec 20	Feb 15
	Hospitality Education Track	Dec 20	Feb 15
	Instructional Technology Track	Dec 20	Feb 15
	Mathematics Education Track	Dec 20	Feb 15

International Applicants

Program(s)		Fall Priority	Fall	Spring	Summer
Doctor of Philosophy in Education		Jan 15	Jan 15
	Counselor Education Track	Jan 15	Jan 15
	Elementary Education Track	Jan 15	Jan 15
	Exceptional Education Track	Jan 15	Jan 15
	Exercise Physiology Track	Jan 15	Jan 15
	Hospitality Education Track	Jan 15	Jan 15
	Instructional Technology Track	Jan 15	Jan 15
	Mathematics Education Track	Jan 15	Jan 15

International Transfer Applicants

Program(s)		Fall Priority	Fall	Spring	Summer
Doctor of Philosophy in Education		Dec 20	Feb 15
	Counselor Education Track	Dec 20	Feb 15
	Elementary Education Track	Dec 20	Feb 15
	Exceptional Education Track	Dec 20	Feb 15
	Exercise Physiology Track	Dec 20	Feb 15
	Hospitality Education Track	Dec 20	Feb 15
	Instructional Technology Track	Dec 20	Feb 15
	Mathematics Education Track	Dec 20	Feb 15

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Minimum Hours Required for Ph.D.—99 Credit Hours; for the Hospitality Education Track, 69 Credit Hours

Core Courses—24 Credit Hours

• IDS 7501 Issues and Research in Education (3 credit hours)
• IDS 7938 Research Cluster Seminar (3 credit hours)
• IDS 7500 Seminar in Educational Research (variable credit and repeatable, 6 credit hours)
• EDF 7475 Qualitative Research in Education (3 credit hours)
• EDF 7403 Quantitative Foundations of Educational Research (3 credit hours)
• EDF 7463 Analysis of Survey, Record and Other Qualitative Data (3 credit hours)
• IDS 7502 Case Studies in Research Design (3 credit hours)

Counselor Education Track— 51 Credit Hours Minimum

This track is designed specifically for those who wish to pursue careers as counselor educators at the university level or as supervisors in schools or agencies. The program was developed following the standards of the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. In addition to advanced curricular experiences in counseling, courses are designed to examine the fundamental issues and theory of teaching adults in higher education, research, supervision, consultation and to provide supervised experiences in each area. The College of Education Community Counseling Clinic serves as a hub for teaching and research in the program, providing services to over 1000 individuals a year through child, adult, couples, and family counseling. The clinic includes facilities for group counseling and play therapy.

• MHS 7406 Advanced Theories in Counseling (3 credit hours)
• MHS 7901 Advanced Practicum in Counselor Education (3 credit hours)
• MHS 6510 Advanced Group Counseling (3 credit hours)
• MHS 7700 Professional Issues in Counselor Education (3 credit hours)
• MHS 7311 Technology Issues in Counselor Education (3 credit hours)
• MHS 7611 Supervision in Counselor Education (3 credit hours)
• MHS 7808 Practicum in Counseling Supervision (3 credit hours)
• MHS 7840 Internship in Counselor Education (repeatable) (6 credit hours)
• MHS 7340 Advanced Career Development (3 credit hours)
• MHS 6221 Individual Psychoeducational Testing II (3 credit hours)
• MHS 7730 Research Seminar in Counselor Education (3 credit hours)

Elementary Education Track—51 Credit Hours Minimum

This track is designed to provide further education for those aspiring to work in the area of education at the post-secondary level (four-year college and/or research university). The program permits students to concentrate their doctoral study in either a field of emphasis (i.e. science, mathematics, literacy, social studies) or to create an interdisciplinary focus, such as mathematics-science or reading-social studies. This program of study is most appropriate for educators who can create, analyze, and synthesize educational studies and for educators seeking employment in settings requiring a strong research base. In contrast to the Ed.D., the Ph.D. program relies on doctoral students who progress through their program of study in cohorts and who are full members of the learning community of the College of Education. The program includes a strong philosophical base, research seminars requiring one-on-one work with faculty members, cluster seminars requiring work with several faculty in interdisciplinary research projects, and long-term mentoring via supervised internships.

• Philosophical Foundations for Studies in Education (3 credit hours)
• Writing for Professional Publication in Education (3 credit hours)
• Elementary Education Internship (variable credit) (3-6 credit hours)
• Area/s of emphases: four (4) additional courses in one or more areas including: Science Education, Literacy Education., Technology Education, or Arts Education with one course from outside the college in a related field of study (12 credit hours)

Exceptional Education Track—51 Credit Hours Minimum

This track is designed to prepare highly competent doctoral-level professionals to assume leadership positions in teaching, research and service in the area of special education. A challenging program of study, the Exceptional Education track focuses on developing the qualifications to conduct research, implement best practices based on research, and evaluate new programs and projects that serve students with disabilities.

• EEX 7936 Current Issues/ Trends in Special Education (3 credit hours)
• EEX 7527 Professional Writing/ Grant Writing in Special Education
• EEX 7766 Technology Research/ Training in Special Education
• EEX 7867 Personnel Preparation: Special Education
• EEX 7865 Internship in College Instruction in Special Education
• EEX 7866 Internship in Practicum Supervision in Special Education
• EEX 7320 Program Evaluation and Planning in Special Education

Exercise Physiology Track—51 Credit Hours Minimum

This track provides advanced studies in the area of exercise physiology and wellness. Students interested in the doctoral program might come from the biological and health-related professions, exercise science, physical education, and athletic training.

• MCB 5932 Current Topics in Molecular Biology (3 credit hours)
• PCB 5107C Advanced Cell Biology (4 credit hours)
• PCB 5275 Signal Transduction Mechanics (3 credit hours)
• PCB 6727 Comparative Animal Physiology (3 credit hours)
• PET 6362 Exercise, Nutrition and Weight Control (3 credit hours)
• PET 7365 Cardiovascular Dynamics During Exercise (3 credit hours)
• PET 7368 Regulation of Metabolism During Exercise (3 credit hours)
• PET 7939 Advanced Research Seminar in Exercise Physiology (3 credit hours)
• PHC 6000 Epidemiology (3 credit hours)

Hospitality Education Track— 21 Credit Hours Minimum

The Hospitality Education Track prepares candidates for teaching and research in the field of hospitality systems in professions such as a tenure-earning university professor and hospitality field consultants. The focus is upon the application of appropriate strategies relative to the conduct of hospitality enterprises.

• Previous master’s degree in related area (up to 30 credit hours). Examples of acceptable master’s degrees include hospitality, tourism, recreation, leisure, food science and nutrition, and business.
• Cognate or elective; approved by adviser (9 credit hours)
• HFT 7258 Strategies and Tactics: Lodging (3 credit hours)
• HFT 7546 Strategies and Tactics: Guest Service Management (3 credit hours)
• HFT 7715 Strategies and Tactics: Travel and Tourism (3 credit hours)
• HFT 7876 Strategies and Tactics: Foodservice (3 credit hours)

Instructional Technology Track—51 Credit Hours Minimum

This track prepares students for teaching and research in the field of instructional systems in professions such as university professor or corporate researcher. The focus is upon the application of appropriate instructional technologies to the adult learner.

• Previous master’s degree in related area (up to 30 credit hours)
• Cognate or elective; approved by adviser (9 credit hours)
• IDS 6504 Adult Learning (3 credit hours)
• IDS 6503 International Trends in Instructional Systems (3 credit hours)
• EME 7634 Advanced Instructional Systems Design (3 credit hours)
• EME 7942 Doctoral Internship in Educational Technology (3 credit hours)

Mathematics Education Track—51 Credit Hours Minimum

This track is designed to prepare mathematics educators for careers in teaching and research. The program will help students open doors to careers in preparing teachers of mathematics, teaching postsecondary mathematics, and conducting research in mathematics education. Doctoral students in this track engage in undergraduate teaching, participate in research activities with faculty, experience internships, and interact with the nationally acclaimed Lockheed Martin/UCF Academy for Mathematics and Science. Throughout these activities, students are mentored by successful and experienced university mathematics education faculty.

• MAE 7640 History of Mathematics Education (3 credit hours)
• MAE 7795 Seminar on Research in Mathematics Education (6 credit hours)
• MAE 6946 Mathematics Education Internship (6 credit hours)
• MAE 6XXX Technology in Mathematics Education (3 credit hours)
• MAE 6XXX Seminar in Mathematics Education (3 credit hours)
• MAE 6899 Seminar in Teaching Mathematics (3 credit hours)

Internship—3 Credit Hours Minimum

Specialization in all tracks, except for Hospitality Education, must include 3 credit hours of internship (minimum)

Dissertation—24 Credit Hours Minimum

Doctoral students must present a prospectus for the dissertation to the doctoral adviser, prepare a proposal and present to the dissertation committee, and defend the final research submission with the dissertation committee.

Candidacy

To enter candidacy for the Ph.D., students must have an overall 3.0 grade point average on all graduate work included in the planned program and pass all required examinations.

Candidacy Examinations

• Examinations must be completed prior to admission to candidacy.
• Examinations will be scheduled by the student and major adviser. The associate dean for graduate studies and research must be notified of the date and location of the exam 30 days in advance.
• All Ph.D. candidates will be required to complete two examinations. Students must be enrolled in the university during the semester an examination is taken.
• Research in the Specialization—8-hour written examination
• Specialization—3-hour oral examination

Financial Support

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see Financing Grad School, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Key points about financial support:

• If you’re interested in financial assistance, you’re strongly encouraged to apply for admission early. A complete application for admission, including all supporting documents, must be received by the priority date listed for your program under "Admissions."
• You must be admitted to a graduate program before the university can consider awarding financial assistance to you.
• If you want to be considered for loans and other need-based financial assistance, review the UCF Student Financial Assistance website at http://finaid.ucf.edu and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, which is available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Apply early and allow up to six weeks for the FAFSA form to be processed.
• UCF Graduate Studies awards university graduate fellowships, with most decisions based on nominations from the colleges and programs. All admitted graduate students are automatically considered in this nomination process. To be eligible for a fellowship, students must be accepted as a graduate student in a degree program and be enrolled full-time. University graduate fellowships are not affected by FAFSA determination of need.
• Please note that select fellowships do require students to fill out a fellowship application (either a university fellowship application, an external fellowship application, or a college or school fellowship application). For university fellowship applications, see Financing Grad School.
• For information on assistantships (including teaching, research, and general graduate assistantships) or tuition support, contact the graduate program director of your major.

Contact Info

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

E. H. Robinson, Ph.D. , Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-3819
erobinso@mail.ucf.edu

Counselor Education Track

E. H. Robinson, Ph.D. , Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-3819
erobinso@mail.ucf.edu

Elementary Education Track

Sherron Roberts, Ed.D. , Assistant Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-2016
skrobert@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu

Exceptional Education Track

Lisa Dieker, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-3885
ldieker@mail.ucf.edu

Exercise Physiology Track

Ted Angelopoulos, Ph.D. , Associate Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-0364
tangelop@mail.ucf.edu

Hospitality Education Track

Randall Upchurch, Ph.D. , Associate Professor
Phone Number: 407-903-8024
hospitality@mail.ucf.edu

Instructional Technology Track

Atsusi Hirumi, Ph.D. , Associate Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-1760
hirumi@mail.ucf.edu

Mathematics Education Track

Juli Dixon, Ph.D. , Associate Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-4140
jkdixon@mail.ucf.edu