Jun 17, 2026

2026-2027 University Catalog

Curriculum and Instruction: Science Education Concentration, PHD

Location(s): West Lafayette

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About the Program

The Ph.D. Program in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Science Education at Purdue University is designed primarily for students who want to specialize in science teacher education and science education research. The program also serves students aiming to teach science in small liberal arts colleges or seeking supervisory posts in national, state, or local systems.

This program is comprised of coursework and other experiences in four major areas:

Science Education Studies
Science Content
Curriculum and Instruction Foundations Departmental Core
Educational Research Design

Program Website

Program Requirements

90 Credits Required

(Up to 30 credits from a Master’s or professional Doctoral degree may be applied.)

Required Courses (42 credits)

Core Courses (16 credits)

Required (10 credits)
EDCI 51000 - Colloquium In Science And Mathematics Education Credit Hours: 1.00
EDCI 51700 - Survey Of Science Education Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 51800 - The Nature Of Science In Science Teaching Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 69500 - Internship In Education Credit Hours: 1.00 to 10.00 - Credit Hours: 3.00
Choose two (6 credits)
EDCI 56700 - Action Research In Science Education Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 60500 - Teaching Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering And Math Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 61800 - Gender And Culture In Science Education Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 61900 - Learning Science Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 62200 - Seminar In Science Education Credit Hours: 1.00 to 3.00 - Credit Hours: 3.00

Research Courses (17 credits)

Introductory Statistics Course (3 credits)

Choose one.

EDPS 55600 - Introduction To Quantitative Data Analysis Methods In Education I Credit Hours: 3.00
PSY 60000 - Statistical Inference Credit Hours: 3.00
SOC 58100 - Methods of Social Research II Credit Hours: 3.00
STAT 50100 - Experimental Statistics I Credit Hours: 3.00
STAT 51100 - Statistical Methods Credit Hours: 3.00

Advanced Quantitative or Qualitative Course (3 credits)

Choose one from either list.

Qualitative Methods
ANTH 51900 - Introduction To Semiotics Credit Hours: 3.00
ANTH 56500 - Sociolinguistics Credit Hours: 3.00
ANTH 60500 - Seminar In Ethnographic Analysis Credit Hours: 3.00
COM 58500 - Qualitative Methods In Communication Research Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 61600 - Qualitative Data Collection And Analysis In Educational Research Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 62100 - Technology For Qualitative Research Credit Hours: 3.00
ENGL 59900 - Academic Language And Content Area Learning Credit Hours: 3.00
SOC 60900 - Seminar In Sociology Credit Hours: 3.00
Quantitative Methods
EDPS 55700 - Introduction To Quantitative Data Analysis Methods In Education II Credit Hours: 3.00
PSY 60100 - Correlation And Experimental Design Credit Hours: 3.00
STAT 50200 - Experimental Statistics II Credit Hours: 3.00
STAT 51200 - Applied Regression Analysis Credit Hours: 3.00

Research Seminar Course (3 credits)

Contact the Office of Graduate Studies in the College of Education for a list of department-approved substitute courses (Substitutions may not be available for all concentrations.)

EDPS 63000 - Research Procedures In Education Credit Hours: 3.00

Science Education Selectives (6 credits)

Choose two.

EDCI 50600 - Environmental Education Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 51600 - Seminar In Environmental Education Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 53900 - Introduction To K-12 Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics (STEM) Education Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 55800 - Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics (STEM) Education Methods-Secondary Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 56700 - Action Research In Science Education Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 59100 - Special Topics In Education Credit Hours: 1.00 to 4.00
EDCI 60500 - Teaching Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering And Math Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 61800 - Gender And Culture In Science Education Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 61900 - Learning Science Credit Hours: 3.00
EDCI 62000 - Seminar In Mathematics Education Credit Hours: 1.00 to 6.00
CHM 61000 - Topics In Chemical Education Credit Hours: 2.00 or 3.00

Curriculum and Instruction Courses (3 credits)

EDCI 58500 - Multicultural Education Credit Hours: 3.00

Curriculum and Instruction Elective (3 credits)

Students should take one course from 500/600-level Curriculum and Instruction courses.

Science Electives (9-33 credits)

Depending on prior science coursework and professional experience, at least 9 credits of science content courses are required.

Dissertation Research (12-36 credits)

EDCI 69900 - Research PhD Thesis Credit Hours: 1.00 to 18.00 - Credit Hours: 12.00-36.00 total

Program Learning Outcomes

GPA Requirements

Education Licensure Disclaimer - GR

For information on which Graduate programs lead to an Instructional or Administrative State of Indiana Educator License, and the obligations therein, visit the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) Graduate Programs website. The Transcript Evaluation and Credential Review (TECR) is the authoritative source for program licensure requirements.

Graduate Programs Disclaimer

The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements. Students should consult with their advisor/department for more information.
Not all graduate programs may be actively recruiting students and course modality availability may vary.
Please refer to the Explore Graduate Programs website for a list of currently available graduate programs.
Transfer credit policy: Credits earned for graduate study at other universities (both domestic and international) may be applied toward an advanced degree. Only credit hours associated with graduate courses for which grades of B- or better were obtained will be eligible for transfer. Any additional conditions under which credit transfers may be made are determined by the various departments.
Comparative information about Purdue University and other U.S. educational institutions is also available through the College Navigator tool, provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, and through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

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