2008–2009 - Florida Institute of Technology

Admission Requirements (both programs)
An applicant to the doctoral program in mathematics education
must have a master’s degree in mathematics or mathematics
education, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2
on a 4.0 scale. At least three years’ teaching experience is also
highly recommended.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are
presented in the Academic Overview section of this catalog.
Degree Requirements (both programs)
A minimum of 48 credit hours beyond the master’s degree is
required to earn the doctoral degree. These credit hours include 24
credit hours of dissertation in addition to the required course work.
EDS 5070 Educational Statistics ...........................................................3
EDS 5095 Essentials of Educational Research ......................................3
EDS 5203 Theories and Trends in Education .......................................3
EDS 6070 Statistics for Educational Research ......................................3
These courses must be taken at Florida Tech. Exceptions may be
considered only through a written petition to be reviewed by the
department’s graduate faculty.
General degree requirements are presented in the Academic
Overview section of this catalog.
Written comprehensives and oral comprehensives must be completed
in the same semester. The doctoral comprehensive examinations
are given in the last full week of September and January.
Curriculum
Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program
Major Technical Area: A minimum of 21 master’s degree-
eligible credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree must be taken
in mathematics. These 21 credit hours may include courses from
previous graduate degrees as well as courses taken as part of the
Ph.D. program.
Research: A minimum of 24 credit hours must be devoted to
dissertation research including at least three credit hours of
Readings in Educational Research (EDS 6000), at least three
credit hours of Research Practicum (EDS 6010) and at least 18
credit hours of Dissertation (EDS 6999).
Doctor of Education Degree Program
Major Technical Area: A minimum of 18 master’s degreeeligible
credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree must be taken
in mathematics. These 18 credit hours may include courses from
previous graduate degrees as well as courses taken as part of the
Ed.D. program.
Specialty Area: A minimum of six credit hours must be taken
in mathematics education. (Specialty area credits may also be
in science education, instructional technology or environmental
education.)
Research: A minimum of 24 credit hours must be devoted to
dissertation research including at least three credit hours of
Readings in Educational Research (EDS 6000), at least three
credit hours of Research Practicum (EDS 6010) and at least 18
credit hours of Dissertation (EDS 6999). A non-credit Research
Seminar (EDS 6090) is also required.
Science Education ___________________________
The doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) and doctor of education
(Ed.D.) programs are designed to provide increased competence
in science, science education and research. Recipients gain the
appropriate knowledge and skills for positions in college and
university science education programs; teaching, administration
and supervisory posts in state and local school systems; positions
teaching science in community colleges, liberal arts colleges
and introductory science courses in universities; and as research
directors in science education.
The primary difference between the Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs
is in the focus of the dissertation work. The focus of the Ph.D. is
typically theoretical, while the focus of the Ed.D. is more applied
and intended for the practitioner. While Ph.D. dissertation
research is oriented for the student going into a university graduate
teaching and research setting, Ed.D. dissertation research is
oriented for K–12 school or business/industry practitioners and
typically involves a practical field problem.
The two programs also differ in the requirement of two specialty
area courses in the Ed.D. These two courses are typically in
science education, instructional technology or environmental
education, but may also be in mathematics education.
Doctoral students interested in theory-based research should
consider the Ph.D. For those more interested in practical field
research, the Ed.D. would be more appropriate.
Admission Requirements (both programs)
An applicant to the doctoral program in science education
must have a master’s degree in a field of science, technology,
aeronautics or science education, with a cumulative grade
point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. At least three years’
teaching experience is also highly recommended. An applicant
with a major technical area in aeronautics must also have FAA
certification and enough practical experience to qualify as a
professional in the aviation field.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are
presented in the Academic Overview section of this catalog.
Degree Requirements (both programs)
A minimum of 48 credit hours beyond the master’s degree is
required to earn the doctoral degree. These credit hours include 24
credit hours of dissertation in addition to the required course work.
EDS 5070 Educational Statistics ...........................................................3
EDS 5095 Essentials of Educational Research ......................................3
EDS 5203 Theories and Trends in Education .......................................3
EDS 6070 Statistics for Educational Research ......................................3
These courses must be taken at Florida Tech. Exceptions may
be considered only through a written petition, reviewed by the
department’s graduate faculty.
General degree requirements are presented in the Academic
Overview section of this catalog.
Written comprehensives and oral comprehensives must be taken
in the same semester. The doctoral comprehensive examinations
are given in the last full week of September and January.
Degree Programs—College of Science 155