Educational Mathematics Ph.D.
College of Natural and Health Sciences
See “Educational Mathematics Ph.D.”
Master’s Degree en route to the Ph.D.
Students may apply for admission to the Ph.D. in Educational Mathematics and complete the M.A. in Mathematics - Liberal Arts Emphasis on the way to completion of the doctoral program. Once admitted, the student will work closely with their academic advisor to develop a Plan of Study that meets both M.A. and Ph.D. program requirements. Students must complete all program requirements for the M.A. in addition to the hours required for the Ph.D. Students must be conferred with the M.A. degree prior to admission to doctoral candidacy.
Degree Requirements — 71-95 Credits
Ph.D. Requirements
Mathematics Content Core — 24-30 semester hours
A. Required Courses - 12 hours
B. Minimum of 12 hours chosen from the following courses:
At most, two courses may be included from the following: (The two courses may both come from Category I but at most one course can be from Category II.)
Category I
Category II
Research Core — 21 hours
| MATH 651 | Statistical Science | 3 |
| MED 610 | Survey of Research in Mathematics Education | 3 |
| MED 700 | Cognitive Processes in Mathematics | 3 |
| MED 701 | Quantitative Research in Mathematics Education | 3 |
| MED 702 | Qualitative Research in Mathematics Education | 3 |
| MED 766 | Research Design Seminar | 3 |
| SRM 680 | Introduction to Qualitative Research | 3 |
Educational Core — 10-19 hours
A. Required Courses (7 hours)
| MED 675 | Teaching and Learning Mathematics on the Post-Secondary Level | 3 |
| MED 703 | Teaching and Learning K-12 Mathematics | 3 |
| MED 710 | Seminar in Post-Secondary Mathematics Teaching | 1 |
B. Elective Courses (3-12 hours)
(Advisor must approve courses)
| MED 622 | Directed Studies | 1- 3 |
| MED 673 | Teaching and Learning Mathematics on the Elementary Level | 3 |
| MED 674 | Teaching and Learning Mathematics on the Secondary Level | 3 |
| MED 678 | Special Topics | 2- 3 |
| MED 750 | History and Philosophy of Mathematics Education | 3 |
Research Proposal/Dissertation — 16 hours
MATH 797: Must take 4 credits but they can be split between different semesters.
MATH 799: Must take 12 credits but they can be split between different semesters.
Additional Electives — 0-9 hours
Electives in this category can include any approved 600 or 700 level courses or any two approved additional 500 level courses. Courses taken for the two research tools may be counted for these electives. A student must complete research tools A and B. A third option maybe selected if relevant to the proposed dissertation research.
All Ph.D. students must demonstrate competency in two acceptable research tools.
Research Tools
A. Applied Statistics and Research Methods (0-3 hours)
| MATH 651 | Statistical Science | 3 |
| MED 701 | Quantitative Research in Mathematics Education | 3 |
Elective (0-3 hours):
| EII 705 | Quasi-Experimental Methods in Education Research | 3 |
| SRM 608 | Experimental Design | 3 |
| SRM 610 | Statistical Methods III | 3 |
NOTE: MATH 502 and MED 701 is also counted as a required course in the Research Core hours above
B. Qualitative Research Methods (0 hours)
Student's doctoral committee will approve a combination of coursework (including at least SRM 680 and MED 702) and experience (evaluated by the committee) to appropriately support the student's proposed dissertation research.
| MED 702 | Qualitative Research in Mathematics Education | 3 |
| SRM 680 | Introduction to Qualitative Research | 3 |
NOTE: SRM 680 and MED 702 are also counted as required courses in the Research Core hours above
C. Collateral Field
Student's dissertation advisor will approve courses in cognition, instruction, measurement and evaluation, psychology and human development and curricula only if relevant to the proposed dissertation research.
D. Computer Science
Student’s dissertation advisor will approve and evaluate a combination of advanced computer experience, proficiency and/or coursework only if relevant to the proposed dissertation research.
E. Foreign Language
Student’s dissertation advisor will approve and evaluate a combination of foreign language experience, proficiency and/or coursework only if relevant to the proposed dissertation research.
NOTES: Electives must have the approval of the student's dissertation advisor.
MED 710 is normally taken in the first year of the program.
Students in this program must pass written comprehensive exams in mathematics and mathematics education followed by an oral comprehensive exam over their entire program. A document describing examination procedures may be obtained from the program office or the program website.
A student in this program is required to write a scholarly dissertation. Dissertation topics may range from mathematics with pedagogical applications to topics in educational mathematics such as cognitive processes, educational reform and instructional issues.