Comparison between Ph.D and Ed.D.

The Ph.D. Degree

The D.Ed. Degree*

Graduate School Requirements:

Residency: Two consecutive semesters of enrollment as a full time student, i.e.: Fall/Spring, Spring/Fall.

Minor: Optional 15 credits

Total credits required by the Grad School: 0

Graduate School Requirements:

Residency: 30 credits taken at the University Park campus. No full-time or consecutive semester requirements.

Minor: 15 credit hours outside the Program

Total credits required by the Grad School: 60 credits above the master’s degree or 90 total credits

Higher Education Requirements:

Higher Education Requirements:

• History
• Curriculum
• Students
• Administration in Higher Education
• Organization Theory

• History
• Curriculum
• Students
• Administration in Higher Education
• Organization Theory

Advanced Study:

Area of Specialization: 12 credits in additional HI ED coursework.

Advanced Study:

Area of Specialization: 12 credits in additional HI ED coursework.

Research Skills: Minimum of 12 credits:

• Statistics through Multivariate Analysis
• Qualitative Methods
• Research Design

Research Skills: Minimum of 12 credits:

• Statistics through Multivariate Analysis
• Qualitative Methods
• Research Design

Advanced Research Skills:
Minimum of 9 credits beyond basic skills, probably in research skills of the cognate area.

Advanced Research Skills:
None required

Electives:
12 credits (optional) of work to enhance knowledge base where necessary.

Internship:
9 credits (optional based on previous experience) internship or practicebased courses.

Cognate or Minor:
Minimum of 15 credits. When combined with the advanced research skills, credits could be applied toward master along the way if a student lacks that degree. (See list of acceptable cognate areas under Specific Requirements for the Ph.D., p. 17.)

Minor or General Studies Grouping of Courses:
15 credits

Proposal Course (HIED 594):
3 credits minimum must be taken in formal class; 9 credits maximum, for completion of the proposal. Used to complete the Comprehensive Examination process (dissertation proposal defense).

Proposal Course (HIED594):
3 credits minimum must be taken in formal class; 9 credits maximum, for completion of the proposal. Used to complete the Comprehensive Examination process (dissertation proposal defense).

Dissertation:
Enroll in HIED 601 or 611. These are noncredit courses used to maintain continuous enrollment, a requirement of the Ph.D., until the degree is completed.

Dissertation:
15 credits of HIED 600 or 610

Total credits (not counting dissertation):
Core: 15
Specialization: 12
Basic Research: 12
Advanced Research: 9
Cognate: 15
Proposal : 3
Total: 66

Total Credits (not counting dissertation):
Core: 15
Specialization: 12
Basic Research: 12
Minor: 15
Proposal: 3
Total: 57

Dissertation credits are not accumulated in the Ph.D; student registers for 0 credits of HI ED 601 or 611

Dissertation Credits: 15

**Optional Electives: 12

**Internship: 9

Total: 78

Total: 81