• Discover Nevada
• Admissions
• Academics
• Student Life
• Research
• Partnerships

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

The College of Education offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) with five areas of emphasis.  A Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.) is offered in educational leadership. Areas of Emphasis are available in the Ph.D. include the following:

• Development, Learning and Technology - This concentration allows students to focus on lifespan human development; theories of learning and cognition; and applications of information technology to human learning. Students take courses relating to each area: development, learning, and information technology; but may focus primarily on one aspect as a specialization.
• Math, Science, Technology, and Society - This concentration explores the effective teaching of math and science, as well as applications of various technologies in these fields and their impact on society. Students may focus on math or science education specifically, but will have a broad exposure to the MSTS area.
• Literacy, Language, and Culture - Literacy instruction and its intersection with English language learning and issues of culture and diversity are the foci of this area of concentration. Students take courses relating to each area: literacy, language development and learning, and cultural/multicultural studies; but may focus primarily on one aspect as a specialization.
• Special Education and Disabilities Studies - Study in this area concentrates on issues of disability as they apply to education and human service agencies. Students may focus broadly across disability areas and age ranges, or they may focus more narrowly. Courses are available in the categorical areas of learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, autism, intellectual disabilities and severe multiple disabilities, and early childhood special education. Cross-categorical courses are also offered, as well as special topics courses related to key contemporary issues in special education.
• Educational Leadership - This concentration focuses on advanced leadership preparation as it applies to K-12 or to higher education settings. The Ph.D. prepares students for leadership or teaching at the college level or for roles in policy analysis and research. The Ed.D. option is available in this area of concentration for practicing professionals in K-12.

Program Objectives

The Ph.D. program in Education prepares you at an advanced level to work in the professorial ranks of higher education or assume positions of leadership in schools and agencies. The degree provides rich preparation by exposing you to a wide variety of courses and experiences related to fundamental theories and concepts associated with education, as well as current issues and trends in teaching and learning. Strengths of the program lie in the opportunity for you to be exposed to a variety of courses and to faculty members in the College of Education and the University, while having a defined area of emphasis for your study. The Ph.D. program leads to both a broad and a deep scholarly knowledge of education, with an emphasis on the production of new knowledge within the profession.