PhD in Education
The PhD degree with an emphasis in K-12 or higher education is designed to enhance organizational leadership by providing advanced study for highly qualified individuals with demonstrated professional leadership skills and capacity to conduct scholarly research in higher education. Students who have a master’s degree in a closely related field must complete 21 prerequisite credits in higher education or 18 credits in K-12 in addition to the doctoral program requirements. The doctoral program includes a set of research courses, seminars in higher education, cognate courses, a professional research experience or teaching internship, and a dissertation that makes an original research contribution to the field.
The primary purpose of the Ph.D. track in Educational Administration is intended to facilitate leadership in educational organizations by providing highly qualified professionals that serve the State of Hawai`i, the nation, and the Pacific Region. The content areas of the program include (1) policy and governance, (2) leadership and administration, (3) organizational theories and practice, and (4) quantitative and qualitative research.
The program includes work in the following:
(1) College Core, a set of research core requirements for all doctoral students enrolled in the College of Education
(2) Track Core (i.e., seminars in educational administration leading to an emphasis in K-12 or higher education)
(3) Cognate Field, course work taken outside the field of educational administration
(4) Fieldwork, Teaching or Research Internship
(5) Dissertation.
Common Careers
University or college professors, educational researchers, and/or educational leaders in various educational organizations or institutions.
Admission Requirements
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Applicants must have graduated, or will graduate, from a UHM recognized,
accredited, master’s degree program prior to beginning the PhD, Education: Educational Administration - K12 program.
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You must have at least 2 years of classroom teaching or school counseling experience prior to beginning program.
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A transcript from each post-secondary institution attended.
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A written statement of objectives as part of your application.
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Your resumé or CV.
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A sample of scholarly writing as part of your application.
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Three (3) letters of recommendation
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Applicants who are not native English speakers may need to take the TOEFL or IELTS, or Duolingo (Academic) tests.
For more information view the Graduate Division website.
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International students that have been admitted are required to submit a copy of their Identification documents (i.e. Passport or Identification Card)
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International applicants need to show proof of sufficient funding to cover all educational and living expenses
How to Apply
Coursework
The PhD in Education Program, Educational Administration Track requires a minimum of 40 credit hours in addition to the Master Core courses (21 credits for Higher Education or 18 credits for K-12). All doctoral students will be required to have 18-21 units of 600 level prerequisite courses (depending on K-12 or higher education emphasis). Students who have already completed a master’s degree in higher education or K-12 leadership/administration generally have fulfilled these requirements.
Each course is generally 3 credits.
- Education Research (3 credits minimum)
- Qualitative Research (3 credits minimum)
- Quantitative Research (3 credits minimum)
- Advanced Methods for Dissertation Research (3 credits minimum)
- Advanced Doctoral Seminars (12 credits minimum)
- Cognate Field, courses taken in another field (12 credits minimum)
- Field Experience (3 credits minimum)
- Research Problem and Dissertation (1 credit, variable)
The cognate can include courses taken in another field (e.g., sociology) or a combination of graduate courses from various departments that is approved by the student’s advisor and are appropriate to the proposed dissertation topic.
