Ph.D. in Educational Studies: Individually Designed Specialization 45 credits
The Ph.D. in Educational Studies builds on Lesley's commitment to scholarship and generation of new knowledge, encourages interdisciplinary study, and recognizes the value of relating theory to practice. Working closely with senior advisors drawn from across the university, students enjoy a great deal of flexibility as they outline and structure an individually-designed interdisciplinary doctoral study plan that is precisely suited to their educational goals.
Program Prerequisite: Master's degree or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study
Program of Study
Courses may have prerequisites for registration; please check course descriptions before registering.
Phase I: Courses (15 credits)
Phase I of this program requires that a student complete a minimum of 15 credits of advanced graduate study, including several required courses in research methodology and participation in a yearlong interdisciplinary seminar. An essential feature of Phase I is the student's responsibility, under the supervision of a senior advisor, to complete a doctoral study plan--a detailed description of the study that a student will undertake in a domain of educational studies. The student will prepare a written plan identifying the domain of doctoral study to be undertaken and the manner in which such a study will be completed.
Phase II: Doctoral Study (30 credits)
In Phase II, the student completes the major academic requirements of the degree, including the coursework and study identified in the doctoral study plan devised in Phase I. Students must also meet the sociocultural perspective standard requirement. The culminating experience in Phase II is the completion of a written qualifying paper, evaluated by the faculty members of the doctoral study committee.
Phase III: Dissertation
Upon successful completion of Phase II, a student is advanced to Phase III, or dissertation status. In this final phase, a student undertakes the writing of a doctoral dissertation that represents an original contribution to the field of educational studies. This work is completed under the guidance of a dissertation committee. Phase III requires approval of the doctoral thesis by the faculty members of the dissertation committee and an oral defense of the dissertation. In Phase III, students meet the residency requirement by making a public presentation of the dissertation to the Lesley community.