Critical & Socio-Cultural Studies in Education, PhD

Program Description

The Critical and Sociocultural Studies in Education (CSSE) doctoral program is designed to prepare scholars who will:

Be active in the professional research associations in their field
Publish research in peer-reviewed journals and academic presses
Secure positions as faculty members at research universities or research centers, or work at state and federal agencies
The program provides a comprehensive approach to educational research that considers the consequences of contemporary schooling systems while developing alternatives to current practices that result in systemic change.

To provide intensive faculty support and mentorship for each student, CSSE accepts a small cohort of 7-10 students every other year, with admission in the fall of odd-numbered years.

Students in the program take a variety of courses related to contemporary issues in K-20 education as well as seminars focused on faculty research. The program is methodologically rigorous and requires foundational courses in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Beyond those courses, students then choose to take advanced coursework in either quantitative or qualitative methodologies. In addition, all students complete a supervised research apprenticeship in year two and devise a set of cognate courses in consultation with their advisor.