MERM Ph.D. Coursework

Specific coursework requirements for the EPSE doctoral program are determined on a case-by-case basis, as outlined in an individualized Program of Graduate Studies (PGS) developed for each student, in consultation with his/her Academic Advisor and Faculty Advisory Committee. The PGS specifies the kind and number of courses to be taken by the student for his/her degree, with consideration of (1) Departmental degree requirements specified for all EPSE doctoral students, (2) the requirements specified by the MERM area, and (3) the student's own background, research interests and preparation at the Master's level. It is assumed that the student will have taken all required courses (or their equivalents) for the MERM M.A. Of the courses required at least three will be 600-level MERM courses. A representative program would normally include coursework, seminars, consultations, directed readings and, where appropriate, practical and field work related to the student's major area of interest and selected to prepare the student for his/her Comprehensive Examination and Thesis.

It is expected that all Doctoral students acquire a background in:

• psycho-educational assessment and measurement
• quantitative research design and analysis.
• qualitative research design and analysis
• educational evaluation

As a step toward providing such a background, all EPSE doctoral students are required to complete the following coursework:

1.  Research Methodology Basics

It is assumed that graduate level courses in measurement (e.g., EPSE 528, Basic Principles of Measurement), analysis of variance (e.g., EPSE 592, Analysis of Variance in Educational Research), qualitative and interpretive methods (e.g., EPSE 595, Qualitative Methodologies in Educational Psychology and Special Education) and correlation/multiple regression (e.g., EPSE 596, Multiple Regression in Educational Research) have already been completed at the Masters level.

2.  Additional advanced methodological MERM courses

Doctoral students are required to complete a minimum of three 600 level MERM courses. Additional 600 level courses may be requested by the student's program advisor, in consultation with the student, based on dissertation research interests and career plans. Students may also suggest additional advanced courses relevant to their research.

3.  Additional non-MERM methodological courses

Additional non-MERM intermediate and advanced methodology courses may be requested by the student's program advisor, in consultation with the student, based on dissertation research interests and career plans. Students may also suggest appropriate non-MERM methodology courses relevant to their program.

4.  Additional non-MERM content courses

It is expected that students will have some knowledge in a non-MERM content area, such as cognition, human development, or individual differences. Depending on the student's prior background in this content area, the program advisor, in consultation with the student, may request additional courses in this area. Courses taken in a content area will be related to the student's dissertation research and career plans.

5.  Doctoral Thesis

All doctoral students are required to complete a doctoral thesis in the student's area of research and career interests. The thesis supervisor should be a MERM faculty member. There shall be at least two other members of the dissertation committee, one of whom must be a MERM faculty member or a MERM associate faculty member.