Graduate Programs

ACADEMICS

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in English Education

Students typically—though not exclusively—seek a Ph.D. in English Education as a means to a career in higher education. Graduates of our program are prepared to teach, conduct research, and/or serve in an upper-level administrative capacity at any institution of higher education, both teaching- and research-intensive. Doctoral students work with their faculty advisor to devise a plan of study that is tailored to their needs and interests. This plan includes approximately 60 credit hours beyond the Master’s degree, including coursework in language and literacy, research methodologies, and foundational principles of the College, such as social justice and culturally relevant pedagogies. All students are required to take a preliminary examination and complete a dissertation working under the direction of a committee of graduate faculty led by their advisor.

This residential program has rolling admission. Applications must be fully complete and submitted (including all required materials) and all application fees paid prior to the deadline in order for applications to be considered and reviewed. For a list of all required materials for this program application, please see the “Admissions” tab below.

July 1 is the deadline for Fall applications.

November 15 is the deadline for Spring applications.

March 15 is the deadline for Summer applications.

*Those applicants interested in being considered for any available PhD funding should submit completed applications by December 1 for the following Fall semester.

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This program does not lead to licensure in the state of Indiana or elsewhere. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) at licensure@purdue.edu before continuing with program application if you have questions regarding licensure or contact your state Department of Education about how this program may translate to licensure in your state of residence.

Admissions

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Application Instructions for the residential English Education PhD program from the Office of Graduate Studies:

In addition to a submitted application (and any applicable application fees paid), the following materials are required for admission consideration, and all completed materials must be submitted by the application deadline in order for an application to be considered complete and forwarded on to faculty and the Purdue Graduate School for review.

Here are the materials required for this application

Transcripts (from all universities attended)
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
3 Recommendations
Resume/CV
Statement of Purpose
Diversity Essay
International Applicants must meet English Proficiency Requirements set by the Purdue Graduate School

We encourage prospective students submit an application early, even if not all required materials are uploaded. Applications are not forwarded on for faculty review until all required materials are uploaded.

When submitting your application for this program, please select the following options:

Campus and Program Tab:
- Select a Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
- Select your proposed graduate major: Curriculum and Instruction
First Choice Program Details Tab:
- Please select an Area of Interest: English Education
- Please select a Degree Objective: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Primary Course Delivery: Residential

Program Requirements

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Curriculum and Instruction Foundations Core (15 credit hours)

EDCI 50000: Foundations of Literacy
EDCI 58000: Foundations of Curriculum
EDCI 58500: Multicultural Education
EDPS 53000: Advanced Educational Psychology
EDPS 53300: Introduction to Educational Research I: Methodology

Curriculum and Instruction Research Core (minimum of 12 credit hours)

Qualitative Research (3 credits)
- EDCI 61500: This course provides a foundation for understanding the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings and procedures used in conducting qualitative research.
Quantitative Research (3 credits)
- STAT 50100 or 51100: Introduction to Statistics. This course provides a foundation for understanding and applying basic concepts of descriptive and inferential statistical research design and analysis. PSY 60000 and SOC 58100 are also acceptable research courses. Consult with your major professor to choose the course most appropriate for your program of study.
Advanced Research Study (3 credits)
Initial courses in qualitative and quantitative research must be followed by an advanced course in either qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods research methods. Students should consult with their major professor to select the most suitable course or courses.
- Qualitative research courses include EDCI 61600: Advanced Qualitative Research Methods in Education, COM 58300: Research And Assessment In Organizational Communication, ANTH 51900, ANTH 56500, ANTH 60500, SOC 60900
- Quantitative research courses include STAT 50200, STAT 51200, PSY 60100
Research Seminar (3 credits)
- EDPS 63000: Research Procedures in Education is taken when students are ready to write their dissertation proposal. This course focuses on the design and presentation of educational research. Seminars which focus on qualitative or quantitative studies are offered under the same course number. Students should elect the option that is most suited to their research interests.
- Theoretical or mixed methods research courses include EDCI 62000: Seminar in Mathematics Education; EDCI 67300: Issues and Methods in Educational Technology Research; ANTH 60500: Seminar in Ethnographic Analysis; ENGL 61800: Research Design; ENGL 62400: Rhetorical History and Theory; ENGL 62500: Empirical Research on Writing; ENGL 63200: Critical Theory; ENGL 68000: Qualitative Research Methods; STAT 51400: Design of Experiments

Education Cluster Area (minimum of 12 credit hours)

English Education students are required to take 12 credits of coursework focused on English education or related topics of study. Suggested courses are as follows:

EDCI 50200: Reading in Middle and Secondary Schools
EDCI 50900: Writing in Middle and Secondary Schools
EDCI 55100: Young Adult Literature
EDCI 59500: Advanced Studies in English Education*
EDCI 61300: Seminar in English Language Arts*

*EDCI 59500: Advanced Studies in English Education and EDCI 61300: Seminar in English Language Arts are variable title courses that can be taken multiple times. Recent topics include Teacher Research; Classroom Discourse Analysis; Teaching Bodies; Reading the Midwest; and The Teacher in Fiction and Film.