Urban Education Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)
Program Description:
This program is designed for those interested in careers in college or university teaching, research, policy analysis and educational leadership. It includes interdisciplinary study and offers individual areas of specialization including concentrations in education reform and educational policies such as college access, affirmative action, student culture, multiculturalism and bilingual education.
Program Requirements:
The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 72 credit hours (approximately 24 courses or three years of full-time study) or 42 credit hours (14 courses) beyond the master’s degree for those entering the program with a relevant master’s degree. A written doctoral comprehensive examination, a dissertation and a final oral examination on the dissertation are also required. The dissertation is a major piece of original research that makes a contribution to the field. The College of Education’s Dissertation Handbook provides an overview of the dissertation process.
Required Core Courses:
Program requirements include four foundational courses and a year-long practicum:
- Urban Education 5501 (Issues in Urban Education)
- Urban Education 8602 (Theory Seminar in Urban Education)
- Urban Education 5565 (Historical Context of Urban Education)
- Geography and Urban Studies 8011 (Modern Urban Analysis) or an alternate
- Urban Education 9991 (Research Practicum)
Students are also required to complete a minimum of 3 research methods courses that include:
- intermediate statistics
- qualitative methods
- an additional course in either quantitative or qualitative methods
Students pursue their area of specialization through four additional courses, plus an independent study.
Admissions Requirements:
Applicants must submit:
- A completed Graduate School Online Application
- Official transcripts from all colleges and graduate schools attended.
- Official score reports from either the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Scores must be current within the last 5 years.
- Three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should be obtained from faculty and others familiar with the applicant's academic competence and/or professionals familiar with the applicant's professional achievements.
- A goal statement that outlines professional interests. The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1,000 words in length and should include the following elements: your specific interest in Temple's program; your research goals; your future career goals; and your academic and research achievements. Although you do not need to have identified a research area at the time of application, your personal statement should reflect an interest in research in some fashion.
- A current, professional resume.
- An interview may be required.
Submitting Your Materials
The Office of Graduate Academic & Student Affairs in the College of Education at Temple University receives supporting application materials for graduate admissions via the Interfolio service. See the Application Checklist for complete details on how to submit your application materials.
It is the student's responsibility to see that everything is completed by the deadline date.
Application deadlines:
Students are admitted to the Ph.D. once a year, to begin the program in the fall.
- January 5 (for consideration for admission and fellowship)
- February 1 (for admission only)
