phd programs in science education

Science Education PhD

Doctor of philosophy in science education.

A graduate student smiles while she makes a point in a discussion with her peers at TC.

Admission Information

Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.

Doctor of Philosophy

Points/Credits: 75
Entry Terms: Fall
Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based, Part-Time Campus-Based

Application Deadlines

Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines , such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.

Application Requirements

For admission-related inquiries, please contact [email protected] .

Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)

Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.

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This degree program is designed to prepare students for leadership in science education. The program includes advanced preparation in science to develop both breadth and depth in science subject matter background. Preparation in research methods in science education, as well as study of recent developments in the broad field of professional education, is included in the program. Students should refer to the bulletin, Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, available from the Office of Doctoral Studies, for information on admission, residence, certification, examinations, and the dissertation.

The general requirement is for a minimum of 75 points of approved graduate credit, at least 45 points of which must be taken through Teachers College registration. In order that candidates become familiar with recent investigations in the broad fields of professional education, each program will include one or more courses in the nature of education and the nature of persons and the learning process.

In total, a minimum of 75 course points is required: A minimum of 15 points in breadth of science content courses, 15 points in core science education courses, 12 points in professional education courses, 12 points in research methodology courses, 3-6 points in technology courses, and 6 dissertation study points. This leaves a remaining 12-15 points of optional studies to be determined in consultation with the advisor.

Dissertation Requirements

In addition to all other guidelines, it should be noted that the dissertation must be a research thesis based on a theoretical rationale and must exhibit thorough and comprehensive mastery of a research discipline.

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Program Director : Dr. Felicia Mensah M.A. Advisors: Dr. Jessica Riccio & Dr. Denise Mahfood

Teachers College, Columbia University 412 Zankel Building

Phone: (212) 678-8174 Fax: (212) 678-8145

Email: tcscience@tc.edu

Science Education

The science education graduate program offers K-12 teachers, curriculum specialists, scientists and other education professionals the opportunity to investigate contemporary issues related to science learning, teaching, assessment, curriculum, and teacher professional development. Graduate students may specialize in the following areas within the science education program:

earth/space science
elementary science education
geoenvironmental
physics and astronomy
K-12 integrated STEM

Master’s-level graduates often serve as lead science teachers, science department heads, science curriculum coordinators, or science specialists for museums or nature centers.

The doctoral program is research-oriented and includes completion of a dissertation. Graduates provide leadership in science education through positions at colleges and universities in both education and science departments, school districts, informal education settings, or governmental agencies.

Degree Options

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Our Faculty

The science education faculty are internationally known and are engaged in fundamental and applied research, and curriculum and teacher professional development. They also hold joint and courtesy appointments in the Departments of Biology; Chemistry; Physics and Astronomy; Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Science; Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication; Technology Leadership and Innovation; and the School of Engineering Education. See our list of faculty and see an overview of their research projects at the following links:

Science Education Faculty

Ackerman Center
Serious Games
CnI Online Fac
Curriculum Studies
Education for Work and Community
Elementary Education
English Education
English Language Learning
Learning Design and Technology
Literacy and Language Education
Mathematics Education
Social Studies Education
Applied Behavior Analysis
Counseling and Development
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Educational Psychology and Research Methodology
Gifted Education
Special Education

Dean Ballotti

Virginia bolshakova, brenda capobianco, siddika selcen guzey, rebekah hammack, danielle malone, muhsin menekse, sanjay rebello, hui hui wang, program highlights.

The science education faculty are extremely successful in obtaining external funding as PIs and Co-PIs that supports research, science teacher professional development, and curricular development initiatives.
The science education program has the highest concentration of jointly appointed faculty from the Colleges of Science, Engineering, Agriculture and the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. Because of these joint appointments, we engage in highly productive collaborations with faculty from science, engineering, agriculture and technology on externally funded projects, undergraduate and graduate teaching, and course design and development.
The program has initiated and developed the integration of engineering design in core undergraduate science courses for elementary education majors; and in collaboration with the Center for Advancing the Teaching and Learning of STEM (CATALYST) , an integrated STEM degree concentration for undergraduate teacher education majors, a graduate level integrated STEM degree certificate, and an integrated STEM concentration for graduate students seeking an online Master’s degree through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.