Degrees

• Master of Science in Education
• Master of Science
• Educational Specialist
• Doctor of Philosophy

Master of Science in Education

The Master of Science in Education is designed for the following:

• Teachers seeking advanced academic qualifications
• Those attempting to meet the requirements for the provisional certificate in school services personnel and in administration and supervision
• Those wishing to undertake a degree program at the beginning graduate level.
• Entering graduate students whose ultimate goal is the PhD degree.

Thesis and Non-Thesis Option Requirements
Thesis and nonthesis options are available for the MS in Education. Students desiring to pursue the PhD degree are strongly encouraged to select a thesis-option master's program. Both programs require a minimum of 15 graduate-level credit hours in education at Purdue University.

• The nonthesis options stipulate a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate courses, with most programs specifying 33 or more hours.
• The thesis options normally requires a minimum of 24 credit hours of graduate courses plus six credit hours of graduate thesis work.

Program of Study
A student's program of study depends upon the field of study selected by the student. Each student should plan his or her program with the help of a temporary advisor, major professor, or chair of the departmental graduate committee before beginning his or her studies.

Plan of study: MS thesis option
Plan of study: MS non-thesis option

Additional Requirements
All teachers seeking professional certification should check with their advisor and the Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure. Graduate students also should consult the departmental graduate advising handbook to determine whether additional requirements apply.

Further Information
Details of the program may be obtained from the faculty offering the program or from the College of Education Graduate Office. Graduate students also should consult the departmental graduate advising handbook for additional requirements that may apply.

Master of Science

Students may become candidates for the Master of Science degree if they have sufficient undergraduate work in the natural sciences to meet requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree at Purdue University. All other requirements and procedures are identical to those described for the Master of Science in Education degree. 

Educational Specialist

This degree is awarded only at the West Lafayette campus. The degree is a terminal degree and is not intended as an intermediate step between the master's and doctoral degrees.

Program of Study
The program consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate preparation in addition to the 30 credit hours earned in a typical master's degree, with one primary area and two or more related areas. One related area must be in another program area or department. 

Candidates must satisfactorily complete an approved research project. At least 15 credit hours for this degree must be earned on the West Lafayette campus.

Plan of Study: To discuss a plan of study for this degree, contact the College of Education Office of Graduate Studies.

Requirements
Admission to the program requires prior completion of a master's degree.

Details of the program may be obtained from the faculty offering the program or from the College of Education Graduate Office. Graduate students also should consult the departmental graduate advising handbook for additional requirements that may apply.

The Department of Educational Studies offer programs of graduate study leading to the PhD degree.

Program of Study
The doctoral program is research-oriented and requires a dissertation. The number of credit hours of coursework is subject to approval by the student's advisory committee and the departmental graduate committee, but it typically will consist of a minimum of 45-50 credit hours of graduate courses plus 10-15 credit hours of dissertation research works. Thus, the doctoral plan of study reflects a total of 60 hours of graduate credits beyond a completed master's degree.

The primary area of study will include both foundational and specialized education courses. Each doctoral degree program will include 3 credit hours of graduate work educational research methods. All doctoral programs must include four advanced graduate courses in statistics and research methodology.

Plan of Study: PhD program

Areas of Specialization
In addition to the development of competence in the above fields, the student is expected to gain a mastery of an area of specialization. Typical areas of specialization include:

• Counseling
• Educational administration
• Educational psychology
• Gifted education
• Special education.

Related Areas of Study
Related areas of study must be in fields supportive of the area of specialization. At least one related area must be in another program area or department. A related area of study may be outside the College of Education if the field of specialization and the student's background make such a program desirable.

Additional Requirements
Individuals desiring to pursue graduate study toward the PhD degree are encouraged to confer with faculty members in their fields of special interest within the department or with the chair of the departmental graduate committee. Graduate students also should consult the departmental graduate advising handbook for additional requirements that may apply.