Beginning in fall 2024, URI’s College of Education will offer a new doctoral degree in education, to prepare students to implement cutting edge research to improve opportunities across the educational spectrum and become community-engaged scholars and leaders, while providing specialized expertise to advance specific areas of interest and equity in education. 

“Over the course of last year, the faculty have developed an innovative and flexible Ph.D. in Education, which builds on the vast expertise in our college,” said Danielle Dennis, dean of the College of Education.

The degree will focus on topic areas that span current education programs to inform complex, converging issues that will lead to transformational change in PK-16 and adult learning settings.

Students will also become proficient in effectively communicating their research findings, its practical applications, and implications for varied stakeholders.

“In launching this new program, we will develop a cadre of equity-minded educational researchers who collaborate with local and global communities to conduct community-connected research that will lead to improved education across the educational spectrum,” said Annemarie Vaccaro, associate dean and professor of education.

The 60-credit curriculum includes core courses, qualitative and quantitative research methods, a focus area that aligns with individual career goals, and a dissertation.

For the focus area, students can opt to work with one of our expert education faculty to develop a tailored curricular plan that aligns with one or more areas of expertise within the college, such as STEM education, Social Justice Education, TESOL/BDL, Literacy, Special Education, among others. Or students can work with their advisor to design a plan of study that draws upon multiple areas of interest.

Applicants must have a master’s degree in education (or related field) or at least 30 graduate education credits from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.