Education (Research, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment) PhD

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education with an emphasis in Research, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment prepares individuals for academic and non-academic positions such as researchers, assessment specialists, program evaluators, grant coordinators, policy analysts, data analysts, and university faculty. Because the program emphasizes inquiry (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods), it also provides graduate coursework in research methods, statistics, and educational foundations for students in numerous programs of study across the university.

Applicants are not required to have earned a master’s degree to be eligible for admission to the program. However, upon completion of the required coursework and upon approval of the program faculty, students enrolled in this program may earn the Education (Educational Studies and Research) MS  en route to completing the PhD.

Campus: Hattiesburg

Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements detailed in Admission Requirements and Procedures , applicants must meet the following requirements and submit the following documents:

1. Official GRE scores
2. Statement of Purpose - In a letter or essay format, describe your professional experiences and career goals and how they are compatible with the program’s mission and purpose.
3. CV/Résumé
4. Three Letters of Recommendation
5. Interview may be required

A doctoral applicant admitted on conditional status must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.50 on the first nine (9) hours of coursework, which must include REF 601  and REF 602 .

The program admits new students each term. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

See General Degree Requirements  and General Academic Information .

Course Requirements (66 hours)

Pre-requisite courses include REF 601  and REF 602  or equivalent (determined by the program coordinator).

• REF 709 - Social Foundations of Education 3 hrs.
• REF 718 - Practicum in Educational Research 3 hrs.
• REF 720 - Measurement in Educational Research 3 hrs.
• REF 724 - Assessment of Learning in Higher Education 3 hrs.
• REF 736 - Survey Research 3 hrs.
• REF 761 - Quantitative Analysis I 3 hrs.
• REF 762 - Quantitative Analysis II 3 hrs.
• REF 770 - Program Evaluation 3 hrs.
• REF 791 - Field Problems in Educational Research 1-12 hrs. (6 hrs. required)
• REF 792 - Special Problems in Educational Research I, II, III 1-3 hrs. each
• REF 820 - Comparative Education Policy Analysis Research 3 hrs.
• REF 830 - Multivariate Analysis 3 hrs.
• REF 889 - The Dissertation Process 3 hrs.
• REF 893 - Advanced Educational Research 3 hrs.
• REF 898 - Dissertation 1-12 hrs.