TRACK DESCRIPTION
The Social Science Education track in the Education PhD program is designed to prepare social science educators for successful careers in research and teaching.
The Social Science Education track in the Education PhD program is designed to prepare social science educators for successful careers in research and teaching. The program assists students in providing options to careers in preparing social science teachers, teaching postsecondary social science (history, political science, economics, etc.), and conducting research activities in social science education. Doctoral students in the track engage in research activities with an interdisciplinary faculty, experience internships, and interact with various social science educators and social science experts. Throughout this program, students are mentored by experienced and successful university social science education faculty. Based on the students’ previous graduate course work, students may be required to complete additional graduate social science education (SSE) courses and/or graduate content courses beyond the minimum requirements.
CURRICULUM
| Total Credit Hours Required: |
| 69
Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Master's Degree |
Required Courses—39 Credit Hours
Core—24 Credit Hours
- IDS 7501 Issues and Research in Education (3 credit hours)
- IDS 7500 Seminar in Educational Research (variable credit and repeatable, 6 credit hours)
- EDF 7475 Qualitative Research in Education (3 credit hours)
- EDF 7403 Quantitative Foundations of Educational Research (3 credit hours)
- EDF 7463 Analysis of Survey, Record and Other Qualitative Data (3 credit hours)
- IDS 7502 Case Studies in Research Design (3 credit hours)
- IDS 7938 Research Cluster Seminar (3 credit hours) or approved research methods elective
Specialization—15 Credit Hours
- SSE 7740 History of Social Studies Education Seminar (3 credit hours)
- SSE 7796 Research in Social Science Education Seminar (3 credit hours)
- SSE 7797 Content and Program Analysis in Social Science Education (3 credit hours)
- SSE 6387 Teaching with Film (3 credit hours)
- SSE 6388 Digital History in the K-12 Classroom (3 credit hours)
Electives—3 Credit Hours
- Graduate Content Course (3 credit hours minimum; course must be approved by adviser)
Dissertation—24 Credit Hours
Doctoral students must present a prospectus for the dissertation to the doctoral adviser, prepare a proposal and present it to the dissertation committee, and defend the final research submission with the dissertation committee.
Internship—3 Credit Hours
Candidacy
To enter candidacy for the PhD, students must have an overall 3.0 GPA on all graduate work included in the planned program and pass all required examinations.
Candidacy Examinations
- Examinations must be completed prior to admission to candidacy.
- Examinations will be scheduled by the student and major adviser. The associate dean for graduate studies and research must be notified of the date and location of the exam 30 days in advance.
- All PhD candidates will be required to complete two examinations. Students must be enrolled in the university during the semester an examination is taken.
- Research in the Specialization—8-hour written examination.
- Specialization—3-hour oral examination.
Please note there may be variations in length of exam time and content based upon the respective requirements of each track.
INDEPENDENT LEARNING
The dissertation fulfills the independent learning requirement.
Application Requirements
Eligibility for admission to a doctoral program should be limited to superior students who have demonstrated intellectual ability, high achievement, and adequate preparation for advanced study and research in a chosen field.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
A master's degree in a closely related field.
Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last five years.
Three letters of recommendation.
Goal statement / letter of intent.
Résumé / vita reflecting relevant experience.
Writing sample.
Application Deadlines
All application materials must be submitted by the appropriate deadline listed below.
| Social Science Education |
Fall Priority
|
Fall
|
Spring
|
Summer
|
|---|
|
Domestic Applicants
| Dec 20 | Feb 15 | | |
|---|
|
International Applicants
| Dec 20 | Jan 15 | | |
|---|
|
International Transfer Applicants
| Dec 20 | Feb 15 | | |
|---|
FINANCIALS
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see Student Finances, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see Fellowships, which includes descriptions of UCF fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.