MA/PhD in Elementary Education
The MA/PhD track in elementary education will allow you to contribute to the advancement of knowledge necessary to address the dynamic challenges of contemporary education at the elementary level. We train leaders in educational research and encourage students to dive deep into their own area of research.
This program emphasizes:
- A focus on interdisciplinary approaches to curriculum development
- The use of inquiry as a key pedagogical approach
- The importance of a strong understanding of diversity and its social and educational implications
- Child development and learning theories as the foundation for research and teaching in elementary settings
Admissions
Priority deadline: December 1
Admissions decisions: January
See detailed admissions, tuition and funding information on the MA and PhD admissions page.
Curriculum
As a full-time graduate student, you will have opportunities to:
- Supervise student teachers
- Teach courses in Elementary Teacher Education
- Conduct research
- Engage with faculty and student colleagues in research/discussion groups related to the study of Elementary Education as a contextual space
- Present at conferences for researchers and practitioners
Your PhD coursework will center on your research interests. The program consists of 51 course credits and 24 doctoral thesis credits for a total of 78 credits.
To view the core curriculum and electives visit the Education, Curriculum, and Instruction PhD page in the course catalog and view the Elementary Education sub-plan at the bottom of the page.
Master of arts students
Students can choose either a thesis (Plan A) or final paper (Plan B) to complete their degree. See the requirements for both curriculum plans.
View the core requirements
for the MA in Art Education in the course catalog.Doctoral curriculum
Your PhD coursework will center on your research interests. The program consists of 51 course credits and 24 doctoral thesis credits for a total of 78 credits.
To see the curriculum requirements in detail, visit the course catalog under sub-plans for Elementary Education.
Research
Students can engage in research that ties into their area of interest. Faculty work closely with each cohort to achieve research and educational goals. Learn more about the student research experience in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
Career outlook
Graduates of the program have assumed positions as university faculty, instructional leaders in the public schools, curriculum development specialists, and assessment specialists.
Graduates have found employment in the following positions:
- Associate professor, Wright State
- Professor, University of Minnesota
- Associate professor, Western Carolina University
Elementary education faculty
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What our students have to say
I was drawn to this program when I learned that the faculty and graduate students in the program are not only doing academic work, but also engaging with the public to improve education.
Younkyung Hong, PhD 2021