Degree Requirements

Foundations of Education (9 credits, 3 in each area)

• Psychological Foundations
• Sociological/Philosophical Foundations
• Policy and Leadership

Language Education

Core Courses (15 credits)

• Principles of Second/Foreign Language Education (3)
• Language and Culture (3)
• Foundations of Language I (3)
• Foundations of Language II (3)
• Seminar in Second/Foreign Language Education Research

Area of Specialization (15 credits)

These courses should be chosen in consultation with an advisor and should reflect the student’s developing research and career interests. They may be outside the program (e.g., in English Education) or outside the school (e.g., in the Rutgers Anthropology, Linguistics, Language and International Studies departments, or in the School of Communication).

Research Experience

A concept paper providing an in-depth critical evaluation of an issue in Language Education and, once it is judged adequate, discussed with the student at a formal meeting of the Language Education Faculty. The student may register for an Independent Study if substantial guidance from a faculty member is desired.

Research Methodology (9 credits)

291:511 Introduction to Educational Research and Methodology

Two courses in each of the following three areas:

Qualitative Foundations

• 255:500 Qualitative Methods: Design and Analysis
• 255:525 Qualitative Methods in Education I
• 310:536 Methods of Educational Ethnography

Quantitative Foundations

• 300:511 Quantitative Research Methods in Education I
• 960:531 Statistical Methods in Education I
• 960:532 Statistical Methods in Education II

Program Evaluation

• 291:520 Program Evaluation: Introduction to Methods and Practice
• 291:620 Program Evaluation: Theory and Advanced Methods

Qualifying Examination

Doctoral students are required to demonstrate their qualifications prior to undertaking dissertation study by passing a 3-part qualifying examination evaluated by the Language Education Faculty.

Doctoral Dissertation Study (24 credits)

250:701 Dissertation Study in Learning and Teaching (Note: No more than 12 credit hours of dissertation study may be taken before the successful completion of the Qualifying Examination.) The Dissertation Committee consists of at least three members that collectively meet the following requirements: a) the chairperson of the Dissertation Committee must be a member of the Graduate School of Education: b) at least one must be a member of the student’s program: c) at least two must be Rutgers faculty members: d) at least one must be from outside the student’s department.

Total Credits: 72

Transfer Credit

Students may petition the faculty to transfer up to 18 graduate credit hours of coursework taken elsewhere to meet these requirements. Transfer of credits is not guaranteed, and it must be demonstrated that the course meets the specified goals of the program. Transfer courses used to fulfill core program requirements should have content equivalent.

Time Limits