2021-2022 Graduate Academic Catalog

PhD in Educational Studies: Individually Designed Specialization 45 credits

This program encourages interdisciplinary study. Students work closely with senior advisors from throughout the Lesley academic community to design an individual doctoral study plan suited to their educational goals. Qualitative and quantitative research and participation in a doctoral study seminar provide the foundation for translating new knowledge into the writing of a dissertation that represents an intellectual contribution to a participant's field of interest.

Program Prerequisite: Master's degree or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study

Along with coursework, 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 the study will be completed.

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. 

Upon successful completion of Phase II, a student is advanced to Phase III, or dissertation status, in which 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.

Courses may have prerequisites; please check before registering.

Students must take EAGSR 9151 in fall, spring, and summer semesters of each year they are taking courses and each semester thereafter until they have completed their dissertation defense. 

Program of Study

 

Year I (15 credits):

EAGSR 7118Nature of Inquiry: Below the Surface of Research

3

EAGSR 8102Interdisciplinary Seminar I

3

EAGSR 7101Quantitative Research Methods I: Statistics for Research

3

Doctoral Elective

3

Doctoral Elective

3

EAGSR 9151Doctoral Study

N/A

Year II: (15 credits)

EAGSR 8104Interdisciplinary Seminar II

3

EAGSR 7103Qualitative Research Methods I

3

EAGSR 7104Qualitative Research Methods II

3

Doctoral Elective

3

Doctoral Elective

3

EAGSR 9151Doctoral Study

N/A

Year III (15 credits):

Doctoral Elective

3

Doctoral Elective

3

Doctoral Elective

3

Doctoral Elective

3

EAGSR 8503Research Design

3

EAGSR 9151Doctoral Study

N/A