Science / Mathematics Education Department

Southern University and A&M College

The SMED program of study consists of three phases: (1) coursework leading to the Master's degree or master's equivalency, (2) doctoral-level coursework in Science/Mathematics Education, and (3) dissertation research. Each of these phases culminates in a major examination.

Phase 1: Master's Level Coursework

For students admitted as Master's/Ph.D. students, the first phase of the Program consists of coursework taken in one of the following content-area departments: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or computer science. The content-area department determines the specific distribution of courses in this phase, which leads to the master's degree or master's equivalency. While studying in Phase 1 of the Program (prior to passing the comprehensive examination in the content area), the student may enroll in no more than a total of nine credits of SMED coursework.

Applicants admitted as Ph.D. students begin directly with the second phase, as they have already completed an appropriate master's degree or equivalency.

Phase 2: Doctoral Level Coursework

A minimum of 36 semester credit hours is required in this phase. This includes 21 credits of core courses and a minimum of 15 credits of other relevant coursework. Over a two-year period attendance at professional seminars is also requirement that will be monitored by the Department.

Core (21 credits):

SMED 702: Cognitive Psychology and Science/Mathematics Education
SMED 705: Foundations of Science/Mathematics Education, OR
SMED 710: History and Structure of Science and Mathematics
SMED 716: Science/Mathematics Curriculum II (Secondary)
SMED 720: Technology in Science/Mathematics Education

SMED 739: Applied Statistics
SMED 740: Quantitative Methods in Science/Math Education Research
SMED 741: Qualitative Methods in Science/Math Education Research

Additional coursework (15 credits minimum):

One additional curriculum course (3 credits)
One additional research course (3 credits)
Three additional approved electives (9 credits)

In addition, students who have had little or no teaching experience will be strongly advised to enroll in one or more of the following:

Teaching Practicum (0 to 6 credits):

SMED 735: Practicum in Mathematics Teaching (3-6 credits), OR
SMED 736: Practicum in Science Teaching (3-6 credits), OR
SMED 737: Practicum in College Science/Mathematics Teaching (3-6 credits)

It should be noted that the above program of study describes the minimum coursework the student must complete. All students are strongly encouraged to take additional relevant coursework beyond this minimum, in areas suggested by the focus of the particular planned dissertation research.

In the semester during which the above coursework will be completed, the student must take a departmental qualifying examination for admission to doctoral candidacy.

Phase 3: Dissertation Research

The research phase is the primary focus of the doctoral program. The student formally begins this phase only after having been admitted to doctoral candidacy by passing the qualifying examination.

During this phase, the student works closely with a Supervisory Committee of four (or more) faculty scholars in developing and executing an original research study that will lead to a significant contribution in the field. The final product is expected to be of publishable quality. Students are referred to the Graduate School Doctoral Dissertation Handbook for more specifics on the dissertation and its technical requirements.

The dissertation research begins with the development of a formal proposal (or overview), which includes (as separate chapters) the statement of the problem, a comprehensive review of the related literature, a theoretical framework, and a research design/methodology. When appropriate, the Proposal may also include a chapter on historical antecedents to the problem or a pilot study that tests the methodology.

The dissertation supervisory committee must approve this Proposal before the student is permitted to proceed to data collection and analysis. The development of a quality proposal should be expected to take at least one full semester of diligent work, and possibly longer. During the period prior to approval of the Proposal, the student registers for up to 15 credits for the following course, which may be repeated:

SMED 799: Advanced Research (3 credits minimum)

Following the approval of the Proposal, the student conducts the research, analyzes the results, and writes the Dissertation under the direction of his/her Supervisory Committee. The first chapters of the dissertation are substantially the same as the Proposal; in this sense, the proposal document grows into the dissertation. The time to complete this stage of the Program varies considerably according to the particular study chosen and the diligence of the student.

The student should recognize that an acceptable dissertation is certain to take more than one year of full-time work to complete. During this period, the student registers for the following course, which may be repeated:

SMED 800: Research for Doctoral Dissertation (3-15 credits)

The combined number of credits earned in SMED 799 and SMED 800 must total 12 or more; many students, however, will exceed this minimum.

Upon completion of the dissertation and the residency requirement (see RESIDENCY), the student must pass the final Oral Defense (see EXAMINATIONS). After passing this examination, and delivering bound copies of the dissertation in final form acceptable to the Graduate School, the student has completed the requirements for the Ph.D. Degree in Science/Mathematics Education.

Residency

The SMED Program has been designed to be accessible to working professionals, it remains essential that the student demonstrate a capacity and interest in immersing him/herself in the life of the mind for an extended period. The residency requirement helps achieve this goal. The student satisfies this requirement by earning a minimum of 18 graduate credits during one single calendar year during the program of study.