Education

Doctor of Philosophy

Dara McCarthy, a University of Idaho Boise doctoral student in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, has been a school counselor at Pathways Middle School, in Meridian, ID, for over 10 years. Through her doctoral research, she is combining her counseling background and her current field of study, educational leadership, to advance alternative education in Idaho and beyond.

Lead with purpose

This program offers opportunities to contribute to national and international conversations surrounding the many complex issues in today’s educational and leadership system.

This research-oriented program is designed primarily, but not exclusively, for students interested in pursuing research careers in academia or industry. In this program, you will design and conduct original dissertation research to address a specific problem or issue in your field.  Your work will lead to publishable articles in national and international peer-reviewed journals.

Students in this program become proficient in advanced quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and gain skills to lead research in their professional careers.

Concentration areas

  • Curriculum and instruction
  • Leadership and organizational development
  • Autism spectrum

You'll tailor your research through focus areas that span the full landscape of education and leadership, including STEM education; mathematics and science education; instructional technology; career and technical education; special education with an emphasis on autism and related disabilities; Indigenous education; agricultural education; early childhood development and education; social studies education; literacy, language and cultural studies; educational leadership and school improvement; and leadership and organization development. These areas allow you to align rigorous, research-driven inquiry with your professional interests and the complex challenges facing schools, communities and educational systems.

Overview
Duration:
78 credits
Locations:
Moscow, Online

Related Topics

EducationLeadership

Inspire progress

Application information

Applicants for the Ph.D. in education program must meet the following degree-specific admission requirements:

  • Education level: Master's
  • GPA: 3.0
  • GRE: No
  • TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo: 79/6.5/115 (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language)
  • Number of references: Three
  • Other requirements: Provide a sample of academic writing (e.g. thesis, journal article, term paper, student handbook, curriculum and/or policies previously written by you). Sample of research-based writing will be most helpful.

Program availability

  • Semester intake: Fall
    • Eligible for international admission
  • Deadlines: December 1 priority deadline

Areas of specialization

  • Curriculum and instruction
  • Curriculum  and instruction: career and technical education
  • Curriculum and instruction: science, technology, engineering, mathematics education (STEM)
  • Leadership and counseling: educational leadership
  • Leadership and counseling: leadership organization development
  • Special education/autism spectrum disorders and related disabilities

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application. 

Contact information

College of Education, Health and Human Sciences contact: Ann Frost (afrost@uidaho.edu)

Graduate Admissions contact: graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu, 208-885-4001

Find College of Education, Health and Human Sciences faculty advisors.

Costs, funding and research

To learn about various ways to fund your graduate degree, check out Graduate Funding.

For detailed information about the cost of attendance, visit Financial Aid.

Degree fit

This program will be a good fit if you:

  • Are interested in conducting research
  • Want to pursue industry careers with research expertise
  • Want a research or teaching career in academia
  • Are self-motivated and work well independently

Hands-on learning

The doctoral candidate will be required to complete an immersion experience consistent with their professional goals, including full-time residency or another significant experience determined by the mentor. The immersion experience should be aligned with the mission of the degree and the students’ professional goals. The immersion experience will have measurable outcomes, which can be used to assess the candidate's progress and proficiency.  

Each experience is unique; please check with the program if you have questions.

Career outcomes

Current job openings

8,954 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HI

Potential careers and mid-career salaries

  • Postsecondary Education Teachers
    $82,694
  • Teaching Assistants • Special Education Teaching Assistants
    $40,835
Career Services

* Career data provided by Lightcast.

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