Program of Study

Residency Requirements

A minimum of two consecutive semesters, excluding summer sessions, must be spent at Gallaudet University in full-time study.

Core Courses*

All students admitted to the program must complete the core program of studies with grades of B or better:

EDU 707 The Structures and Applications of American Sign Language and English in the Classroom (4)
EDU 820 Proseminar: Doctoral Studies in Education (4)
EDU 830 Doctoral Seminar in University Teaching in Education (2)
EDU 831 Doctoral Seminar in Pre-Service Teacher Supervision (2)
EDU 880 Doctoral Studies in Deaf Education (3)
EDU 881 Doctoral Studies in General and Special Education (3)
EDU 885 Language, Culture, and Literacy: Issues in Deaf Education (3)
EDU 886 Theory and Research: Reading and Writing Instruction for Deaf Students (3)
EDU 889 Curriculum and Assessment of Deaf Children and Youth (3)
EDU 893 Practicum in University Instruction (2)
EDU 897 Research Internship (2; repeated four semesters)
EDF 720 Introduction to Basic Concepts and Methods of Educational Research (3) (prerequisite)
EDF 801 Principles of Statistics I (3)
EDF 810 Advanced Research Design I (3)
EDF 812 Qualitative Research Methods (3)

A minimum of one of the following:
EDF 802 Principles of Statistics II (3)
EDF 811 Advanced Research Design II (3)
EDF 895 (Special Topics course) Advanced Qualitative Research (3)

Concentration Area Coursework

Students take 15-18 semester hours of coursework in their concentration area of study. Concentration area coursework may be taken through universities in the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area or other accredited universities.

Practica/Internships

Students complete a 2 credit practicum in university instruction and four 2-credit research internships designed to develop competencies in teaching and research.

Dissertation

Every student must complete a dissertation for the doctor of philosophy degree. The dissertation must incorporate a research design capable of addressing a theoretical problem in education of deaf children and youth. Over the course of the program, students must register for a total of nine credits (EDU 900). After nine hours are accrued, the student must register for a continuous enrollment until the dissertation is successfully defended to remain in the program.

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination consists of written and oral components and is scheduled after two semesters of full-time study or when the student has accrued between 18-30 hours.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination consists of written and oral parts and is scheduled on completion of formal coursework, including practicum in university instruction, and the research internships. It must be passed prior to the dissertation proposal defense.

Advancement to Candidacy

To be eligible for candidacy, students must have completed all program requirements except the dissertation, including:

(a) completion of all core and concentration area coursework with grades of B or better,
(b) successful completion of both the qualifying and comprehensive exams,
(c) completion of the practicum in university teaching and the research internship requirements,
(d) meeting the department's residency requirement, and
(e) attaining a grade point average of 3.25, excluding transfer credits.

Full-time students must reach candidacy within three years and complete all program requirements within seven years after matriculation.