Doctorate in Education

Background and Philosophy

Education is a broad domain with a number of specialty domains. These include such specializations as learning development and instruction, early childhood development, elementary and secondary education, special education, adult education, educational research, curriculum design, literacy studies, language education, mathematical studies, teacher education, and other specialties. With this breadth of pedagogy, the student’s previous academic credits from accredited post-baccalaureate institutions will be assessed on an individualized basis.

Those students that pursue an EdD or Ph.D. in the discipline of Education at International University for Graduate Studies (IUGS) may be elementary or secondary school teachers, psychologists, guidance counselors, administrators, nutritionists, librarians, or public health personnel.

Studies may be in individual subject areas such as; mathematics, science, English, reading, history, economics, physical education, music and art or public policy, leadership and management, social and philosophical foundations of education, international comparative education, linguistics, race, inequality, and language in education, quantitative educational policy analysis, teacher education, literacy, language and English education, human development, and developmental and psychological science.

The primary mission is to allow the student to gather those post-baccalaureate courses which serve his or her needs for their professional and academic goals and objectives. This is achieved through the proper selection of courses which are to be approved by the Dean after discussion with the student.

Content

• IUGS offers the following Degrees in Education:

1. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.);<li> Doctor Psychology (EdD.);</li> <li> The Dissertation (PhD) tends to be theoretical and involves more secondary then primary research;</li> <li> The project (EdD) tends to seek a practical solution or outcome for a question or need. It involves more primary then secondary research.</li>

Doctoral education students have previously studied specific educational subjects as listed below which serve as a precursor as a student begins their educational research in preparation for the doctorate. All students should show foundation coursework within the 66 advanced standing credits, which include coursework in:

1. Research methods in educational psychology;<li> Cognitive development and learning processes in education;</li> <li> Social and motivational development in education;</li> <li> Instructional issues: individual differences, group processes and school contexts;</li> <li> Language and communicative development: theory and research in early literacy, theory and research on reading disabilities, cognition assessment.</li>

Doctoral education students within the domain of “Learning Development and Instruction Specialisation” have previously studied specific subjects as listed below which serve as a foundation for the preparation of the doctoral research. The 66 required post-baccalaureate credits for acceptance in advance standing may come from some of the following:

1. Role of the School in American Society;<li> Philosophical Foundations of Education;</li> <li> Curriculum &amp; Instruction, School Counseling;</li> <li> Reading/Language Arts, Educational Technology &amp; Emerging Media;</li> <li> Literacy, English as a Second Language (TESOL);</li> <li> Educational Measurement &amp; Assessment;</li> <li> Contemporary Issues in Education;</li> <li> Educational Leadership;</li> <li> Early Childhood Education;</li> <li> Learning &amp; Development;</li> <li> Elementary or Secondary Education Methods (English/Mathematics/Science/Social Studies), Educational Administration;</li> <li> Classroom Engagement &amp; Management;</li> <li> Student Teaching Internship;</li> <li> Educating Learners with Diverse Needs (Special Education);</li> <li> Inclusion &amp; Collaborative Practices;</li> <li> Characteristics of Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities;</li> <li> Educational Implications for Students with Physical &amp; Health Impairments;</li> <li> English Linguistics;</li> <li> Public School Finance;</li> <li> Music &amp; Art Instruction;</li> <li> Probability &amp; Statistics, Gifted: Creative and Talented;</li> <li> Diversity &amp; Ethics.</li>

Only grades of “C” or better will be accepted in transfer for academic standing. In addition the students overall average must be “B” or better. Graduation Requirements include the following courses to be taken in sequence at IUGS:<ol><li> Education Research I (3 credits);</li> <li> Education Research II (3 credits);</li> <li> Dissertation or Project (18 credits);</li> <li> Graduate Seminar (3 credits).</li>

Completion of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or the Doctor of Education (EdD) requires a minimum of 93 post-baccalaureate credits.

Sequence

• Advance standing course credits totaling a minimum 66 are required for the Doctoral Degree usually through a master’s degree. They may be taken concurrently with the students other IUGS coursework. Students must complete the 66 advanced standing graduate credits for the Doctoral Degree prior to fulfilling their academic requirements in the Education Programme.
• Prior to entering the Programme, students must present transcripts from accredited institutions generally through a master’s degree (MEd, EdM, MAEd, MAE, MSEd, or MSE). Additional coursework in upper-division courses in educational psychology, a course in statistics, and a course in experimental school psychology are required. Students may apply to the Programme without these courses but they must complete the courses before they complete their academic requirements.
• Advance standing course credits totaling 66 for the Doctoral Degree may be taken concurrently with the students other IUGS coursework. Students must complete the 66 advanced standing graduate credits for the Doctoral Degree prior to fulfilling their academic requirements in the Education Programme.
• The student’s portfolio and transcripts are examined by the Dean after discussion with the student to determine his or her goals. Credits for advanced standing will be approved after this process.
• The selection of a Mentor, a respected professional with a doctoral degree and within the student's area of expertise, and the Dean's approval, the student will begin advanced research within their area of specialization. The research I must be completed, approved, and filed before work on Research II begins.
• Throughout the student's research, the Dean is in contact with the mentor assisting with equipping the student with the research tools needed to conduct their linear or empirical study and categorical data analysis and psychometrics.
• The Graduate Seminar may be completed at any time during the student’s enrolment at IUGS but must be completed prior to fulfilling their academic requirements.

Instructional strategies include, but not be limited to:

• Assigned readings of texts and academic journal articles; -Interactive lectures;
• Small group discussions;
• Use of electronic media (Questia online library provided by IUGS and additional data sources are selected by the student, mentor, and Dean); -Examinations: cumulative and comprehensive examination to ensure subject matter mastery;
• Mentor-led development of the Dissertation or Project;
• As needed, independent study courses may be needed to complete the required coursework.