GRADUATE DEGREE CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS
DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
The Department offers two degree options at the doctoral level: the Ph.D. Option and the Ed.D. Option. The doctorate requires a planned sequence of approximately 60 semester hours beyond the master’s degree. Doctoral students are required to take a comprehensive examination prior to approval of their doctoral dissertation committee. An oral examination in defense of the dissertation is required.

Both degree program options have expectations that the students demonstrate high standards of scholarship and the ability to engage in independent research. The two degree programs differ in that the Ph.D. program is more theory oriented while the Ed.D. program emphasizes the preparation of professional leaders; there are also differences in the number of dissertation credits required.

Time Limits: All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within a 9-year period from date of admission. In addition, the maximum time allowed between admission and advancement to candidacy is 5 years; the maximum time allowed between advancement to candidacy and conferring of the degree is 4 years.

Transfer of Credit for Doctoral Students: The University of Maryland does not officially accept or acknowledge transfer credit at the doctoral level. Previous work taken at other institutions may, however, be used to satisfy certain degree requirements if it is determined acceptable and applicable by the Department. Courses satisfying degree requirements at UMCP that were taken at another institution should be listed on the student's doctoral program form. However, outside credits at the doctoral level are not treated as "transfer credit" and will not appear on the students' UMCP transcript.

Credit by Examination and Work Experience: The Department does not allow credit-by-examination or work experience to meet any of its requirements.

Examinations Doctoral degree students in the Department must take a twelve-hour written comprehensive examination. Exams are taken by arrangement with your program advisor.

Dissertation Requirement: All doctoral students are required to write a dissertation. The Ph.D. dissertation (12 credits minimum) is to be an original research study that adds to the knowledge of the student's area of specialization. The Ed.D. dissertation (6 credits minimum) may be the development or application of theory to a problem or situation.

EDCI Doctoral Core Requirements
(minimum 18 credits)
Effective for doctoral students admitted beginning Fall 2008

Core for Teaching and Learning (minimum 3 credits)
All EDCI doctoral students should have a solid foundation in the scholarly literature on teaching and learning. This instruction should introduce students to various theories of teaching and learning, provide an overview of relevant research literature, and encourage exploration of these issues from perspectives outside their own specialization. The core course requirement in this area is EDCI 780, Theory and Research in Teaching (3 credits). In their first fall semester of enrollment in the doctoral program, students should be encouraged to register for this course.

Core for Research (minimum 12 credits)
All EDCI doctoral students should have foundational preparation in research methodology appropriate for their program. Students are expected to enter their programs with at least a background in introductory statistics at the EDMS 645 level or equivalent. If they have not fulfilled this requirement prior to entering, they must satisfactorily complete EDMS 645 or its equivalent before beginning the research methodology core (i.e., an introductory statistics course does not count in the doctoral plan of studies).  

For core, EDCI requires all doctoral students to complete EDCI 790, Epistemological Bases of Education Research (3 credits), as a foundational experience in the variety of ways research efforts have been conceptualized. EDCI also requires that all doctoral students develop a balanced grounding in specific research approaches in the areas of qualitative and quantitative methods. To satisfy this requirement, students take EDCI 791 (3 credits) and EDMS 646 (3 credits). Finally, EDCI requires that all students—in consultation with their advisor and with respect to the methodological direction of their dissertation—take an additional 3 credits in advanced research (e.g., EDCI 792, EDMS 651). (For Ed.D. candidates, the sequence of advanced courses may be program evaluation and assessment courses.)

Core for Diversity (minimum 3 credits)
All EDCI doctoral students should have formal instruction in issues relevant to gender, race, and class. This requirement complements priorities across the University to address diversity issues, especially in urban contexts, from different perspectives. EDCI students are required to complete satisfactorily EDCI 776, Urban Education (3 credits), OR a relevant substitute approved by the student’s advisor and GREL.     

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

English, Literacy, Speech Communication and Theatre Education (Ph.D. /Ed.D)
Mathematics Education (Ph.D. /Ed.D)
Minority and Urban Education (Ph.D. option only)
Music Education (Ph.D. Option Only)
Professional Development/Teacher Education (Ph.D. and Ed.D. Options)
Reading Education (Ph.D. option only)
Science Education (Ph.D. and Ed.D. Options)
Second Language and Culture (TESOL/FLEd) (Ph.D. and Ed.D. Options)
Social Studies, Geography, History Education (Ph.D. and Ed.D. Options)