Doctor of Education, Ph.D

Doctor of Philosophy in Education
Degree Overview

Program Details

EACS offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree through our Ph.D. program at the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education in Norman, Oklahoma. Ph.D. programs are highly individualized and result from collaborative planning involving the student, major advisor, and doctoral committee. Typically, Ph.D. programs of study are designed to enable students to develop a high level of expertise in a specific area of research.

Those selected for the program will be served by a rigorous, high-quality program designed to meet the needs of working professionals by offering courses that are 8 weeks long. Each class meets twice in person on a Saturday during the semester. So, that will be 4 times a semester in person from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. All our summer classes are online. We also follow more traditional advising where each candidate has an advisor based on their research interests.

Why Study for an Ph.D. in Education with EACS at Norman

The EACS faculty comprises scholars and practitioners committed to providing an enriched curriculum to equip Ph.D. students with the habits of mind, habits of hand, and habits of the heart needed to develop stewards of the discipline (as termed by the Carnegie Foundation).

Doctoral Program Requirements

Three letters of reference from people familiar with your academic and/or professional qualifications.
A professional CV/resume emphasizing career and research experience.
A statement of your career objectives, why you have chosen this field of study over other fields, and how the Ph.D. will help you achieve your academic and/or professional goals.
Two academic writing samples from graduate courses, a Master's thesis or substantive research paper to a policy brief, white paper, or conference paper.
Create an application for admission into the Graduate College
Application deadlines are flexible but it is preferred by the first week of December for Spring admission and the first week of May for Fall admission.

For a Complete List of Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy Overview

Those who are selected into the program will be served by a rigorous, high-quality program that is designed to meet the needs of working professionals by offering intensive weekend classes supplemented by outside research activities and individual research for the doctoral dissertation. All coursework is offered at the Norman Campus. Nearly all the courses are taught by full time, Norman campus and OU-Tulsa faculty. Professionals from regional educational entities may also serve as co-teachers, guest speakers, or adjunct instructors.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program is directed toward developing scholarly expertise in a field of study. It is intended to serve individuals who have promise of making contributions to their areas of expertise.

Ph.D. Program of Study

The program consists of the following:

18 credit hours in the Major Area of Emphasis
9 credit hours in the Support Area of Emphasis
Pro-Seminar
Courses in Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods
Prospectus Development
Doctoral Dissertation

Students must complete 95 credit hours.

Complete list of Ph.D. courses

Certifications

In Oklahoma, administrative certificates are issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). Individuals are strongly recommended to check with the State Department for specific certification requirements. Norman EACS has certification programs for the preparation of school principals and superintendents.

Additionally, you could directly view the OSDE website at sde.ok.gov/education-profession-enhancements

Employers

Surrounding Pre-K-12 Public Schools
Private, and Charter Schools and School Districts throughout Oklahoma
National, State, and Local Education Organizations
YMCA/YWCA
DODEA (Department of Defense Education Activity)
Additional Roles aligned with a Ph.D.
- University Professor/Researcher
- Curriculum Director/Coordinator
- Educational Consultant
- Director of Assessment and Evaluation
- Education Policy Analyst
- School Improvement Specialist
- Adult Education Administrator
- Director of Student Services
- Chief Learning Officer (Cooperate or Nonprofit)

Scholarships

The College of Education has many scholarships and financial resources to support your educational endeavors. These resources can be explored as you engage in the application process. Here are examples of two that are available:

Dr. Glenn Snider Education Scholarship Fund:
Applicants must be full-time, regularly enrolled Ph.D. students in the College of Education studying secondary school administration (EACS).
Michael Langenbach Scholarship Fund:
Education Administration and Curriculum Supervision majors enrolled in the College of Education and must maintain a 3.0 combined retention GPA; must demonstrate need for supplemental financial assistance.

Take the Next Step

Your Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration, Curriculum, and Supervision from Norman EACS can set you apart and open doors to opportunities that will put you on an engaging and robust lifetime journey.

Note: If you have any difficulties with the application process, contact Graduate Admissions directly at gradadm@ou.edu or by phone at (405) 325-6765.

Apply Now

Request More Info

Mike Jenkins
Graduate Programs
Support Specialist

Email: mjenkins@ou.edu
Phone: (405) 325-4525