Doctor of Philosophy in Education
Program components
Coursework
Practicum and Internship (some concentrations)
Comprehensive Examination
Thesis
Registration options
Full-time
Description
PhD major in Education
This program is designed to be completed in four years.
On-campus coursework required in July (three weeks) with potential for some online synchronous coursework in the first and second years.
Residency will not require full-time presence at the University of Lethbridge. However, in the first and second year, students will be required to attend on-campus classes in July (three weeks). It is our goal to create a rich, immersive learning experience for our PhD students. Preference will be given to applicants who are able to speak to how they will engage in the life of the Faculty of Education, contributing to our research and teaching capacity (e.g., undergraduate teaching, master’s level Graduate Assistantships, faculty research projects).
Funding
Admitted applicants are eligible for a combination of Graduate Assistantships, undergraduate teaching opportunities and financial support through ULGRA scholarships (funding support is not guaranteed). If you are interested in the PhD in Education program contact us and our Graduate Program Office will support potential applicants in identifying supervisors and potential funding/support packages, as well as developing individualized program plans.
Download your program schedule
Concentrations:
Intake: Summer
Potential research areas for the Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum concentration include:
- Content area disciplines such as literacy education, mathematics and numeracy education, science education, physical education, language education, arts education
- Student development and wellness, including topics such as perceptions of disability, support for at risk youth and refugee students, social development, career development,
- Inclusive learning environments, including topics such as classroom discourse, inclusive classroom practice and perception, play-based learning, ecopedagogy
- Classroom assessment and evaluation
- Learning theory
- Teacher education
- Indigenous methodologies
- Aesthetic inquiry
Potential research areas for the Formal and Distributive Leadership concentration include:
- organizational leadership within school districts, schools and other educational contexts
- leadership roles and functions in curriculum design, development, implementation and change
- student assessment
- quality assurance reviews
- program curriculum and evaluation
- instructional supervision
- educational consulting
- teacher mentoring
- teacher leadership
- teacher learning and teacher education
- building a learning community
In case of discrepancies between this page and the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue, the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue shall prevail.
Admission information
- Master's degree in the discipline of interest from a recognized degree-granting institution.
- Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 on all graded master's-level courses
- Evidence of success as professional educators or counsellors with approximately two years of experience.
- Evidence to demonstrate research skills, in the form of a master's thesis, an outstanding research project, or peer-reviewed journal publications. In lieu of a master's thesis, significant demonstration of research ability must be evident.
- English Language Proficiency requirement for graduate students through recognized study or a valid standardized test (see English Language Proficiency for Graduate Students).
Applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis.
The proposed research interest of the applicant must complement the supervisor's current, active research program.
Applicants are encouraged to identify a supervisor who will work with them to complete their application.
Step 1: Prepare Supporting Documents
Please see the Supporting Documents for the PhD (Education) program below.
Step 2: Find a Supervisor
To find a potential supervisor, you will need to contact a uLethbridge faculty member with expertise in your research area. Please visit Search Supervisors page to find a potential supervisor.
Step 3: Submit Online Application by Deadline
Submit your complete application by midnight (MST/MDT) on the deadline date.
Step 4: Arrange for Official Documents
Official documents (e.g., transcripts, ELP test scores) are required prior to course registration.
Note: Applicants who have attended or are currently attending an institution participating in ApplyAlberta do not need to arrange for official transcripts to be sent to uLethbridge from the issuing institution. A list of participating institutions is available at www.applyalberta.ca.
Step 5: Admission Interview and Decision
The selection committee reviews applications. Applicants selected for consideration will be invited to a scheduled admission interview. To accommodate applicants from a greater distance these interviews may be conducted online.
The selection committee makes a recommendation on admission to the program committee. You will be notified of your official admission status by the Registrar's Office no later than April 1.
For more details please see the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue.
Supporting documents
Unofficial Transcripts
You will need to upload and submit your unofficial transcripts, including proof of graduation for your completed degree(s) and transcripts of all post-baccalaureate work, if any, via the online application system.
Official Transcripts
You will also need to arrange for your official transcripts to be sent to the Registrar’s Office. Your official transcripts are required to be received prior to course registration.
Applicants who have attended or are currently attending institutions NOT participating in ApplyAlberta must arrange to have official transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution to the Admissions Office. A list of participating institutions is available at applyalberta.ca.
Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope to:
Registrar’s Office
University of Lethbridge
4401 University Drive West
Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4
Canada
Your transcripts are required to display your up-to-date coursework, including grades/marks received for completed coursework.
Applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy (Education) major are required to submit two (2) academic and one (1) professional reference letters. You should have studied with at least two of your references.
Your CV is a comprehensive document with a formal structure and academic focus. It should include your background, work experience, awards, scholarships, publications, and other achievements. If you are a current or former University of Lethbridge student, contact Career and Employment Services for additional information on the content and structure of a CV.
Your Letter of Intent for the Doctor of Philosophy (Education) major must contain:
- Goals or objectives for seeking a graduate degree in the chosen discipline.
- The general research area you hope to pursue in your doctoral studies.
- What from your personal and/or professional experience drives your interest in this topic?
- How has your prior study prepared you for doctoral level research in your area of interest?
- How you will manage the demands of the PhD program within the context of your personal/professional life?
- How you will contribute to the research and teaching capacity of the Faculty of Education during your doctoral studies? For example:
- Which undergraduate courses could you teach?
- Which MEd core courses could you act as a Graduate Assistant (Teaching) for?
- What areas and methods of research could you support as a Graduate Assistant (Research)?
- You should address your letter to the Graduate Programs in Education Committee.
English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Lethbridge. Prior to registration, all applicants to the School of Graduate Studies must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) sufficient to meet the demands of classroom instruction, written assignments, research, and participation in tutorials and discussions, regardless of their citizenship or country of origin. Please see the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for graduate students for detailed information.