The doctoral degree in Science Education prepares graduates to understand, address, and develop science and STEM education research and teaching methods, and become advocates for equity in educational settings.
This program guides students to develop their own research agendas and leave ready to engage in their own research and scholarly inquiry at major research and educational institutions. Doctoral students in science education have multiple opportunities to engage in research. Their learning begins in their research course sequence, continues through a supervised pilot study, which builds to the dissertation. In addition, doctoral students have the opportunity to work with faculty as research assistants, through an assistantship, independent study, or other means.
Suggested Application Deadline: January 15 or October 1 | More admissions information
A unique opportunity for students in the School of Education is participation in the Lesson Study program, which works with local school districts and educational cooperatives (with support from the Smithsonian Institute) to develop, model, practice, and refine science content lessons in line with New York State K-12 science standards.
Expertise in teaching and instruction is also developed with the department and with participation in the Future Professoriate Program. This includes orientations, year-round services for teaching assistants, and opportunities to co-teach with fellow doctoral students and department faculty, guest lecture, and independent instruction.
This program’s emphasis on in-depth explorations of research and theory in science teaching and learning prepares our graduates for a broad range of science and science education roles in higher education research and teaching, faculty and curriculum development with school districts, and science education policy work.
