Education Ph.D. Learning Outcomes

PLO1: Core Knowledge 

Students will be able to:

• Demonstrate general knowledge of educational research and theory consistent with that of a faculty member at a research university
• Demonstrate specialized knowledge of a sub-field of educational research and theory sufficient to carry out substantive independent research in that sub-field

PLO2: Research Methods and Analysis  

Students should be able to:

• Understand the range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies typically used in educational research and their underlying epistemology and critically read research that uses this range of research
• Frame an empirical research study guided by theory and prior research
• Design and implement a sound study using appropriate methods, measures, and techniques
• Critically evaluate and systematically analyze data to come up with appropriate findings and interpretations
• Understand and follow research ethics

PLO3: Pedagogy

Students will be able to:

• Design high-quality undergraduate and graduate courses in the field of education, including appropriate goals, reading or audiovisual materials, assignments, and sequencing
• Communicate effectively to large and small groups in pedagogical settings in both lecture and discussion formats
• Identify and effectively deploy suitable digital media for use in all aspects of instruction
• Assess students effectively, including developing and using appropriate measures and rubrics

PLO4: Scholarly Communication

Students will be able to:

• Structure a coherent academic argument that rigorously presents and evaluates evidence to support claims
• Review and cogently synthesize relevant literature
• Adopt an authorial voice
• Write in a level and style of English consistent with that found in leading academic journals
• Understand and properly use styles of citing, referencing, and formatting found in educational research outlets
• Make clear and cogent oral presentations, including effective use of digital media
• Cogently summarize their research and its significance for non-specialist audiences

PLO5: Professionalism

Students will be able to:

• Select appropriate conference venues for their educational research and produce competitive research proposals for them
• Prepare and discuss a poster suitable for presentation at a research conference
• Prepare manuscripts that meet the standards of specific educational research journals and respond appropriately to recommendations for revision
• Select appropriate fellowship or grant opportunities and prepare competitive proposals for them
• Make effective contributions to research teams and lab groups
• Make effective contributions to university, community, and professional service

PLO6: Independent Research

Students should be able to:

• Develop their own research projects that meet high standards of theoretical and methodological rigor
• Produce scholarship that is comparable in scope and format to articles and books that appear in leading peer-reviewed journals and presses in the field of education
• Supervise research assistants effectively