PhD in Educational Theory and Practice (Critical Studies)

Become a scholar of interdisciplinary and critical inquiries with this emphasis within the educational theory and practice degree. Your courses and research projects will be informed by history, philosophy, anthropology, geography, policy, and linguistics and theoretical approaches including critical, feminist, race-based, queer, postmodern, poststructural, posthumanist, psychoanalytic, and cultural theories. Become familiar with the epistemological, ontological, and methodological allegiances that ground these theories.

Our goal is to enable you to pursue a rigorous research agenda that contributes to leadership in the field of educational theory and practice.

Curriculum

The program of study includes 43 hours of coursework, preliminary and comprehensive examinations, a dissertation prospectus, and a dissertation. Required coursework includes theory and research on teaching or research on teacher education, and seminars. You will also take at least four research methods courses, determined in consultation with your advisory committee. You are encouraged to take as many research methods courses as needed to accomplish your research.

Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal.

Admissions

Part 1: Apply to the University of Georgia

The Graduate School handles admission for all graduate programs at the University of Georgia, including those in the College of Education. The Graduate School website contains important details about the application process, orientation, and many other useful links to guide you through the process of attending UGA at the graduate level.

Start A Graduate School Application

Part 2: Apply to the PhD in Educational Theory and Practice (Critical Studies)

After filling out your application to the graduate school, please submit the following directly to the graduate programs office:

A personal statement telling the doctoral admissions committee why doctoral education is being pursued; the questions and/or commitments about teaching, learning and schooling pushing the applicant to further her or his education; what readings, theories, and/or research inform these questions; why the Doctoral Program of Educational Theory and Practice is an appropriate place to pursue such questions; the emphasis area (or areas) in which the applicant sees his or her interests fitting; and the personal and professional goals for obtaining a PhD degree in Educational Theory and Practice;
A writing sample that demonstrates the applicant's ability for scholarly writing and engagement with intellectual ideas;
A resume or curriculum vitae.
Please note that at least one of the three references you provide to the graduate school should be a university faculty member who can attest to your academic potential, preferably from the master's level.

Additional Resources

Please use our online form if you have any questions for the department. Please be as specific as possible so that we may quickly assist you.

Doctoral Assistantship Application (Due by January 15th)

Tuition and Financial Aid

Almost all in-state students begin their studies at UGA paying limited tuition or fees. Please note that these amounts are subject to change and are meant to give prospective students an idea of the costs associated with a degree at the University of Georgia College of Education.

Students may qualify for a variety of assistantships, scholarships, and other financial awards to help offset the cost of tuition, housing, and other expenses.

Tuition Rates Browse Financial Aid

Meet Your Advisor

Most graduate students at UGA are not assigned to a faculty advisor until after admittance. A close working relationship with your advisor is paramount to progressing through your program of study.

Find Your Advisor

Student Life

Your experience begins with a doctoral orientation seminar that introduces foundational ideas, readings, and scholars in the field. We invite you to explore, read, think, collaborate, research, and share your ideas about educational theory and practice with researchers, teachers, and leaders in your area of emphasis.

The program is home to a mixture of full-time and part-time students. Most full-time students are supported through teaching and research assistantships. Most part-time students work on the PhD while continuing to work as teachers and administrators.