Ph.D. in Education Studies

The program exposes students to broad underlying theories foundational to each of the four areas of specialization, while allowing students to explore more deeply the concepts and research in their chosen area.

Career Opportunities

Western has an established outstanding record in Education. Our doctoral graduates have taken up significant faculty positions in universities and other educational institutions across Canada and around the world.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is committed to assisting students in preparing for professional and academic life with the "360 Initiative."

Areas of Faculty Research and Specialization

The Faculty of Education supports active research programs in four areas:

Curriculum Studies and Pedagogy (includes Language, Literacy and subject areas such as Mathematics, Science and Technology)
Educational Policy Studies
Educational Psychology/Special Education
Equity, and Social Justice

You will be asked to identify your one choice of research specialization on the on-line application.

Areas of research are established around a number of centres of specialization, research groups, and projects. Candidates admitted to the program will normally hold a Master's degree in an area or specialization congruent with, or subsumed within, one of these. Doctoral candidates are also encouraged to consider research projects that span more than one area.

Prospective students are not required to secure a Thesis Supervisor at the time of application; however, one of the criteria taken into account in the admissions process is the potential to work with a faculty member in the Faculty of Education who researches in a student's area of interest. Applicants are strongly advised to review the Faculty Research page and contact faculty members in their area of interest to confirm that this potential exists.

Program Overview

Degree Requirements

The PhD in Education Studies program is a full-time, onsite program which normally takes 4 years to complete. All candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Education Studies will be required to complete successfully:

a minimum of four half-course compulsory courses
two elective half courses;
a qualifying examination; and
a thesis, defended according to the policies of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Typical Program of Study

PhD Sample Itinerary

Courses

Required Courses

Although candidates will have been introduced to educational theory and educational research from a particular perspective in their master's studies, during their doctoral studies they will be expected to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of how different theoretical perspectives and alternative approaches to research inform scholarship and practice in education. The compulsory courses required of all candidates are designed to this, providing both breadth and depth. These courses are taught by members of faculty who bring a variety of perspectives and a range of expertise to the courses, and so engage students in the study of educational ideas, problems, and issues in ways that cross traditional boundaries in this field.

The four PhD core/required classes are scheduled during daytime hours and are available ONLY to Education PhD students. All candidates will be required to take and maintain satisfactory standing in the compulsory courses:

9700 (Theories of Education)
9701 (Research in Education)
97XX (Advanced Topics course in your area of research specialization)*
9705 (Research Design & Multivariate Analysis in Education* OR 9711 Qualitative Research in Education*

9700. Theories of Education. This course focuses on the advanced study of enduring questions and current issues in education. Using a cross-disciplinary approach, students will examine topics from a variety of theoretical perspectives in order to understand, analyze, and evaluate theories of education. Particular emphasis will be placed on situating educational theories within their social context.
Full course; two terms.
Offered: Every Fall & Winter Term

9701. Research in Education. This course reviews issues of theory and methods in education research. Language, principles, reasoning, methodologies, and tests of validity for both quantitative and qualitative research will be critically examined.
Full course; two terms.
Offered: Every Fall & Winter Term.

*Advanced Topics and research calendar descriptions will be posted upon approval.

Elective Courses

In addition to the core required courses, candidates are required to complete a minimum of 2 half course credits in their chosen area of specialization, chosen in consultation with their Academic Advisor. Electives must not duplicate courses already completed in their Master's programs. These courses may be chosen from the following sources:

Advanced topic courses in other areas of specialization and/or 2nd doctoral research course;
Masters courses offered in the Faculty of Education;
9710 - PhD Independent Reading & Research (see below);
Graduate courses in allied disciplines, to a maximum of one full/two half courses or the equivalent, chosen from among the offerings of other graduate programs at the University (subject to regulations of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the approval of those concerned);
Graduate courses in education or allied disciplines, to a maximum of one full course or equivalent from other accredited institutions.

M.Ed. elective courses are typically scheduled in the evenings, Monday to Thursday, from 6:30 - 9:30 pm (except courses offered in the "Summer Session" of the Summer Term).

M.Ed. elective course calendar descriptions can be found on the "Timetables & Calendars" page. The 1-Year Plan of Course Offerings illustrates which courses are offered in which term and timetables are posted on-line on the same page, as they become available.

9710. Ph.D. - Independent Reading and Research. Independent Reading and Research (IRR) Guide . Directed readings and study of contemporary theoretical trends and issues, current research methods and findings relevant to areas of special interest not available in other course offerings.
Half course; one term. Offered: Every Term.

With the approval of their Academic Advisor and Associate Dean, candidates may be allowed to take additional courses beyond the required minimum.

Qualifying Examination

Candidates may register for the Qualifying Examination only after all required courses (compulsory courses plus doctoral seminar and three elective half courses) have been satisfactorily completed.

9789. Ph.D. Qualifying Examination. All candidates are required to satisfactorily complete two written qualifying papers upon completion of course work and this typically takes 1-2 terms. Candidates are expected to bring a variety of theoretical perspectives and research methodologies to their intended area of research, consistent with the commitment to the program's cross-disciplinary approach to education studies. (No course weight.)

The purpose of the papers is to allow students the opportunity to situate their chosen area of research in the broad educational context. The papers serve as the Qualifying Examination.

Students must identify the date on which they intend to submit the completed exam, which must be at least four weeks prior to the intended completion date. To do this, submit the "Request for Administration of Qualifying Examination" form within the Qualifying Examination Guide .

Before submitting the preferred date for the examination, students must have defined their research area and identified their intended Thesis Supervisor. Students may approach their Academic Advisor or or any other Faculty of Education faculty member who researches in the student's area of interest. The Thesis Supervisor will serve as a reader for the Qualifying Papers. The Associate Dean will approve the submission date after consulting with the readers.

There will be two questions on the exam. Each question will require students to draw on either 9700 or 9701 and situate their own research in the broader educational context. As the calendar description of the exam notes:

"This examination will provide an opportunity for candidates to consider a variety of approaches to research in their area of specialization. They will be expected to demonstrate their ability to bring a variety of theoretical perspectives and research methodologies to bear on their intended area of research, thereby addressing their potential and readiness to proceed with independent thesis research in a Ph.D. program where a commitment to a cross-disciplinary approach is a defining characteristic."

Responses to each question will be limited to 4000 words, exclusive of the references. For each student, the "9700 question" will be read by ONE of the 9700 instructors and by the Supervisor. Similarly, the "9701 question" will be read by one of the 9701 instructors and Supervisor.

Grading will be either pass or fail.

Thesis

9790. Ph.D. Thesis. See Faculty of Education Ph.D. Thesis Guide and the School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies' Thesis Regulation Guide

Following successful completion of the qualifying examination and when the candidate is ready to begin work on the thesis, the Thesis Supervisor, at the candidate's request and after consulting with the faculty members concerned, will formally appoint a Thesis Supervisory Committee. The Committee will consist of a Chief Supervisor and at least two additional faculty members. The Chief Supervisor must be a member of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies with Ph.D. supervisory status, as approved by the Credentials Committee of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Within six months following successful completion of the qualifying papers, candidates must submit a written research proposal to their Thesis Supervisory Committee, and make an oral presentation to the Committee in which the research problem, theoretical framework and methodology are explained and satisfactorily defended. The presentation will be open to all members of Graduate Faculty and to all graduate students. The Committee must approve both the written proposal and the oral presentation before the candidate will be allowed to proceed.

The Thesis Supervisory Committee will be chosen prior to submission of the PhD Thesis Proposal. When the Thesis Supervisory Committee is satisfied with a candidate's written proposal and the oral presentation made to the Committee, the student submits the proposal, 4 copies of the Ethical Review form (if applicable) and signature "Form A" (found in the Graduate Programs & Research Thesis Guide) to the Graduate Programs & Research Office for approval. Only after all approvals have been obtained may the candidate proceed with the research and the preparation of the thesis under the guidance and review of the Chief Supervisor and the Thesis Supervisory Committee.

When the thesis has been completed and approved by the Chief Supervisor and the Thesis Supervisory Committee, necessary arrangements will be made by the Dean of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for the examination of the thesis, and the oral examination will proceed in accordance with the appropriate University regulations.

The examination shall include a Public Lecture which will provide both a valuable means of disseminating research findings within the academic community, and an opportunity for all graduate students of education to participate in and contribute to the scholarly discourse of the university. In accordance with the appropriate regulations, the public lecture will be advertised in the University's Western News and on the University's web site, and be open to all members of the community. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies oral examination will normally follow within 24 hours of the lecture.

Program Planning

Every year in June, students are provided access to check, alter and enter course and program choices for the following year (fall, winter and summer terms) in the "Graduate Portal" (http://grad.edu.uwo.ca/). Students have view-only access in the Grad Portal at all other times and must follow Add/Drop procedures to make changes. Program Planning is a mandatory process done annually for planning purposes; students do not register for courses one term at a time. Students will receive notification and instructions via email for Program Planning, and all related documents can be found on the Program Planning page of the Graduate Programs & Research web site. Please consult with your Academic Advisor (or Thesis Supervisor if your course work is complete) who approves your choices and use the PhD Study Route document to guide you through the process.