Mar 28, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2015-2016 
    
USC Catalogue 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE]

Urban Education Policy (PhD)


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Program Requirements

The PhD program requires a minimum of 63 units of course work, comprising the following elements: Core Block (16 units), Concentration Block (15 units), Research Block (15 units), Cognate Block (12 units) and Dissertation Proposal and Dissertation Block (5 units).

Core Block

The core represents the essential knowledge that serves as the groundwork for later course work and for other research and scholarly activities within the program and beyond with a particular focus on urban education. This work is completed in the first year.

Additional Requirements


Concentration Block

Courses in this block are linked to two of the concentrations available in the Rossier School of Education PhD program. Courses in this block permit students to consider applied problems in collaboration with students in other programs.

Research Block

Courses in this block provide the basic tools to pursue systematic, programmatic, empirical investigation. It includes qualitative and quantitative elements with the understanding that complex educational problems require a variety of investigative approaches. Areas include research design, analysis of variance/multiple regression, qualitative methods, measurement, advanced qualitative or quantitative analysis, or other related areas. Courses may be taken inside or outside the Rossier School of Education.

Cognate Block

This block is designed for students to pursue interdisciplinary approaches to educational issues, and may consist of courses inside or outside the Rossier School of Education. The specific courses are determined in conjunction with the adviser.

Dissertation Block

This block includes preparation for the qualifying examination and initial dissertation proposal. It is taken during the semester of the qualifying examination and EDUC 794a Doctoral Dissertation , EDUC 794b Doctoral Dissertation  (minimum of 4 units taken after a student passes the qualifying examination and has advanced to candidacy). The dissertation block is designed to prepare students for their dissertation research and continues through the writing and defense of the dissertation. The process involves intensive collaboration with the adviser and the qualifying exam committee.

Transfer of Course Work

The maximum number of transfer credits that can be applied toward the degree is 20 units. The faculty of the student’s degree program determines whether transfer credit is applicable toward a specific graduate degree.

Faculty Adviser

A designated faculty member provides the academic advisement for entering graduate students at the point of admission. A faculty member is appointed to serve as the adviser until an approved qualifying exam committee is established.

Screening Process

When students have completed the core course work, the doctoral screening committee assesses their performance and makes a decision about their readiness to continue in the program. Students are notified of the results by the PhD program chair and director.

Qualifying Exam Committee

The qualifying exam committee is composed of at least five members. A minimum of three, including the chair, must be from the Rossier School; one must be a faculty member from outside the Rossier School. Normally, all members of the qualifying exam committee are regular faculty with the rank of assistant professor or above in departments offering the PhD

Qualifying Examinations

As a prerequisite to candidacy for the PhD, students must pass written and oral qualifying examinations. The written qualifying examination is designed to assess a student’s readiness to undertake dissertation research and to assess the student’s ability to critically analyze and synthesize theoretical and methodological knowledge. The oral portion consists, in part, of a teaching and research portfolio. The teaching portfolio documents and reflects the student’s development and productivity in thinking about course content and instructional delivery. The research portfolio documents and reflects the student’s development and productivity in research and writing from the point of entry into the program.

Admission to Candidacy

Admission to candidacy is a formal action taken by the faculty that is based upon passing the qualifying examination and completing all PhD course requirements (with the exception of EDUC 794a,  EDUC 794b,  EDUC 794d,  EDUC 794z  Doctoral Dissertation). Notification of admission or denial of admission to candidacy is by letter from the associate vice provost for graduate programs.

Dissertation Committee

After admission to candidacy and approval of the dissertation proposal, the PhD qualifying exam committee is known as the dissertation committee and is usually reduced to three members. The committee will include one faculty member from outside the Rossier School of Education but within USC, and will be chaired by a tenure track faculty member.

Doctoral Dissertation

After the qualifying examination is passed, students must enroll in EDUC 794a,  EDUC 794b,  EDUC 794d,  EDUC 794z  Doctoral Dissertation each semester, except summer session, after admission to candidacy until all degree requirements have been completed. A minimum of two semesters (4 units) is required. A maximum of 4 dissertation units may be applied to satisfy the degree requirement. While enrolled in EDUC 794a , students will develop a dissertation proposal in collaboration with the adviser. The dissertation committee grants final approval for the proposal. Credit for EDUC 794a  and permission to enroll in EDUC 794b  will only be given after the dissertation proposal is approved. IRB (Human Subjects Institutional Review Board) approval is required for all dissertation studies.

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