Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program
The doctoral program in Education for Social Justice develops highly skilled, critical scholars capable of impacting the complex world of education through their research and practice. The program embraces the idea that education is an important tool of human liberation, opportunity, and transformation. Its unique program of study makes use of local, national, and international contexts to allow students to develop the skills of research, teaching, and advocacy. Scholars graduate with rich understandings and experiences of how they can use education (theory, policy and practice) to build more equitable, tolerant, and socially just societies and institutions. Scholars graduating with the PhD conduct a study of original research. Graduates of the program are prepared to enter academia, take on educational research appointments in public and private institutions, and design and support educational programming in local, national, and international contexts.
Additional Admission Requirements
See the Admission page for basic admission requirements.
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| Entrance Semesters | Fall |
| Application Deadlines | Visit http://www.sandiego.edu/soles/admissions/deadlines.php |
| Minimum Grade Point Average | 3.50 (4.0 scale) in all undergraduate coursework |
| Standardized Admission Test | Applicants are strongly encouraged to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), but it is not required. Official GRE test scores must be within 5 years of the test date. There is no minimum GRE score required. |
| Additional Requirements | Statement of Purpose |
| Resume | |
| 3 Letters of Recommendations | |
| Admissions Interview | |
| Recommenders’ Contact Information and Letters of Recommendation and International Transcript Evaluations must be received by the program deadline to complete your application. |
English Proficiency Exam (International Applicants Only):
Official score reports for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of all international applicants. be waived if English is the applicant’s primary language or if he or she obtained a bachelor’s degree in the U.S., Great Britain, Canada or Australia.
- TOEFL minimum scores:
- Internet-based test: 91
- Computer-based test: 233
- Paper-based test: 577
- IELTS minimum score:
- Band score: 7.5
I. Core Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 601 | Critical Social Theory and Education | 3 |
| EDUC 602 | Educational Research & Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 603 | History of Education for Social Justice | 3 |
| EDUC 604 | Education and Globalization | 3 |
| EDUC 605 | Language, Race, and Culture in Education | 3 |
| EDUC 606 | Educational Politics & Policy | 3 |
| EDUC 607 | Quantitative Research Methods and Design in Education I | 3 |
| EDUC 609 | Qualitative Research Methods and Design in Education I | 3 |
| EDUC 610 | Qualitative Research Methods and Design in Education II | 3 |
| EDUC 611 | Social Justice Praxis in Educational Organizations | 3 |
| EDUC 612 | Disability, Access, Assets, and Intersectionality in Education | 3 |
| EDUC 650 | Doctoral Seminar I | 3 |
| EDUC 651 | Doctoral Seminar II | 3 |
| EDUC 652 | Doctoral Seminar III | 3 |
| EDUC 653 | Doctoral Seminar IV | 3 or 6 |
| 5XX SOLES Global Course | 3 | |
| Total Units 3 | 48 | |
II. International Experience2
At SOLES, all masters and doctoral students participate in an international experience designed to support the growth of cultural competency. Our goal is to inform best practices in working with culturally diverse populations locally, nationally and globally. International experiences are approved by each student's faculty advisor.
III. Advancement to Candidacy - Part A
Complete Part A: Qualifying Exam (Paper).
IV. Advancement to Candidacy - Part B
Student Advance to Candidacy in EDUC 651 Doctoral Seminar II where they prepare to present at their dissertation proposal colloquium. After successful completion of the colloquium, the candidate will receive the advancement to candidacy letter.
V. Dissertation3
Successful written and oral defense of the dissertation is required for graduation.
VI. Footnotes
- 1
Successful completion of the EDSJ Orientation Courses is also required:
- 2
Consult your advisor for International Course course/program selection.
- 3
Doctoral candidates must maintain continuous enrollment until the dissertation is completed.
- Average completion for the degree is estimated at 4 to 5 years. Students will elect a program completion pathway before enrolling in the Doctoral Seminar sequence.
- Doctoral Seminar Sequence: A candidate who has completed EDUC 651 Doctoral Seminar II, EDUC 652 Doctoral Seminar III, and EDUC 653 Doctoral Seminar IV, but has not completed their Dissertation must enroll in EDUC 695 Dissertation until the Dissertation is completed and successfully defended. Additional units above the required 48 units may be required if additional support is needed for dissertation completion.