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Curriculum

PhD, English Education

How to Apply Info Sessions

The 54-credit PhD in English Education equips you with the analytical skills necessary to thrive in a career as an academic researcher or teacher educator in English education. You’ll emerge from the program as an independent researcher adding depth and complexity to conversations about literature, reading, media education, composition education, curriculum development, applied linguistics, and more.

Core Course Sequence

You’ll take courses in foundations, cognate areas of interest, research methodology, and dissertation research and preparation. You’ll receive extensive faculty mentoring, allowing you to engage in a highly individualized curriculum that gives you both the flexibility and the resources and guidance to pursue a specialized research interest. You’ll also have the chance to partner with schools across New York City to conduct field research. The program culminates in a written dissertation.

Program Requirements

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
TCHL-GE 3037Prosem I Teach/Learn (taken each term, for a total of 12 credits)1-3
Foundations Courses (two 3-credit courses, for a total of 6 credits)3
Qualitative Research Methods (two 3-credit courses, for a total of 6 credits)3
Research Indep. Study (taken each term, for 0 credits)0
Research Methods (three 3-credit courses, for a total of 9 credits)3
Cognate Courses (two 3-credit courses, for a total of 6 credits)3
Dissertation Proposal Seminar3
Specialized Methodology Course3
Specialized Electives (four 3-credit courses, for a total of 12 credits)3
Specialized Methods or Electives3
Total Credits60

Additional Program Requirements

In each of the fall and spring semesters of Years 1, 2, and 3 of PhD study, all full-time students are required to enroll in a 0-credit research experience course. 

The written candidacy requirement consists of either a qualifying paper or a written exam. The oral candidacy requirement will consist of a comprehensive exam scheduled after coursework has been completed and preferably no later than the Fall semester of the third year. 
Once advanced to candidacy, students then form their dissertation committees and proceed to develop a dissertation proposal.  Committees will consist of at least three members: a chair from Teaching and Learning and two additional members from within or outside of Teaching and Learning. At least one member should be in the student’s program area. 
Upon completion of the dissertation and its approval by dissertation committee members, a defense will be held with the student, chair, committee members, and at least two additional faculty members who did not serve on the dissertation committee, one of whom must come from outside the program. The defense serves as the final stage of the doctoral process.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 1-3
Foundations course 3
Qualitative Research Methods 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits9
2nd Semester/Term
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 1-3
Foundations course 3
Qualitative Research Methods 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits9
3rd Semester/Term
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 1-3
Research Methods 3
Cognate course 3
Dissertation Proposal Seminar 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits10
4th Semester/Term
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 1-3
Research Methods 3
Cognate course 3
Specialized Methodology Course 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits10
5th Semester/Term
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 1-3
Specialized Electives 6
Research Independent Study 0
Research Methods 3
 Credits10
6th Semester/Term
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 1-3
Specialized Electives 6
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits7
7th Semester/Term
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 1-3
Specialized Methods or Electives 3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits4
8th Semester/Term
TCHL-GE 3037 Prosem I Teach/Learn 1-3
Research Independent Study 0
 Credits1
 Total Credits60

Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation (MAINT-GE 4747) course.  All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.

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