Science Education Leadership
Education, PhD
Specialization in Science Education Leadership
The Science Education Leadership Program offers a unique PhD in Education for educators interested in Science Education Leadership K-12. The PhD prepares individuals for Leadership positions in science education. Such positions might include roles as school or central office leaders, curriculum and instructional materials developers, state or national agency leaders, college or university faculty or researchers, or professional organizations leaders.
The Science Education Leadership (SEL) PhD focuses on research in science teaching and learning, curriculum, staff development, and leadership and policy issues in science education. Internship experiences in Science Education Leadership include working with practicing education leaders and policy makers in national organizations such as the National Science Foundation.
This doctoral specialization is designed to include persons employed in professional positions; thus, the course work is part-time, evening, and weekend study and generally requires up to four years to complete. In the 21-credit specializations, most course work is offered as yearlong, seminar-style courses (meeting once a month) or independent study experiences. All students develop a secondary concentration in consultation with the adviser and the approval of the student's program committee. Following course work, the dissertation is usually completed in one to two years, part time or full time at the option of the student.
The PhD in Education program requires a minimum of 85 credits of study beyond the baccalaureate degree or a minimum of 55 credits beyond the master's degree. However, an individual's program typically requires 10 more credits depending on the person's goals, program requirements, and previous preparation. Students have five years to complete all course work and the portfolio. Five additional years are allowed to complete the dissertation. Most students complete the entire program in five to six years.
Program Structure
The program requires a minimum of 85 credits of study beyond the baccalaureate degree or a minimum of 55 credits beyond the master's degree. However, an individual's program typically requires 10 more credits depending on the person's goals, program requirements, and previous preparation. Students have five years to complete all course work and the portfolio reviews. Five additional years are allowed to complete the dissertation. Most students complete the entire program in five or six years.
Course Work
General Culture (8 credits)
Completion of the general culture studies provides students with broad concepts to pursue the specifics of their professional specialization. To accomplish these goals, all students enroll in two required core courses. In addition, all students enroll in a 1-credit seminar, during each of the first two semesters for a total of 8 credits. The general culture classes are taken in a cohort. The first semester, all entering students take EDUC 800 and EDUC 805.
- EDUC 800: Ways of Knowing (3 credit hours) (1st semester)
- EDUC 802: Leadership Seminar (3 credit hours) (3rd semester)
- EDUC 805: Research and Scholarship in Education (2 credit hours) (1st semester)
Research Methods (12 credits)
- EDRS 810 Problems and Methods in Education Research [3 credits]
- EDRS 811 Quantitative Methods in Education [3 credits]
- EDRS 812 Qualitative Methods in Education [3 credits]
- Research elective [3 credits]Choose one:
- EDRS 820 Evaluation Methods for Educational Programs and Curricula
- EDRS 821 Advanced Applications of Quantitative Methods
- EDRS 822 Advanced Applications of Qualitative Methods
- EDRS 823 Advanced Research Methods in Single Subject/Case Design
Professional Specialization (21 credits)
These courses differ according to a student's major specialization but always include three hours of internship credit.
- EDCI 891: Science Teaching and Learning (3 credit hours)
- EDCI 892: Science Education History and Research (3 credit hours)
- EDCI 893: Science Education Staff Development (3 credit hours)
- EDCI 894: Science Education Leadership and Policy (3 credit hours)
- EDCI 795: Science Education Research (3 credit hours)
- EDCI 796: Science Education Curriculum (3 credit hours)
- EDUC 994: Advanced Internship in Education (3 credit hours)
Secondary Concentration Area (12 credits)
Students have a number of options for secondary concentrations including concentrations within the Graduate School of Education, within other George Mason University departments, interdisciplinary concentrations, or using the master's degree as part of the secondary concentration requirements.
Dissertation (12 credits)
- EDUC 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal [3 credits]
- EDUC 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research [9 credits]
Portfolio
Students complete an educational portfolio as part of the requirement of the Ph.D. program. The portfolio is an organized, selective collection of documents designed to facilitate a student's academic and professional development, and to provide a basis for evaluation degree progress. The portfolio represents the scope and depth of a student's goals, plans, and accomplishments in coursework, independent study, research, internships, and other advanced learning activities. The portfolio thus provides both a vehicle for self-reflection and a comprehensive record of a doctoral student's experiences and ongoing progress toward academic and professional goals.