Skip to Content

Foundations of Education, Ph.D.

College of Education

Our students study cultural, historical and social perspectives of education in local, national, global and comparative contexts and multiple methodological approaches to research.

Join a community of scholars examining the intersection of education and politics from interdisciplinary perspectives. Gain expertise in foundations of education and qualitative research methodologies. Our program offers depth and flexibility in the study of social, philosophical and historical issues and research projects to meet individual interests and career goals.

Program Highlights

  • Sketchbook with pencil icon.

    Design Your Program

    Develop your area of expertise through a specialization and cognate based on an area of personal interest.

  • Downtown columbia skyline icon.

    Internship Experience

    Bring the curriculum of the program into focus in a real-world setting with an equity and justice internship.

  • Circular feedback loop icon.

    Interdisciplinary Studies

    Combine research skills with the human factors, behavior and cultural differences influencing education and learning via various courses.

  • Video conference on monitor icon.

    Convenient Courses

    Attend evening classes designed for those who have other commitments and need part-time enrollment.

What You’ll Study

Students in this program distinguish themselves as interdisciplinary researchers and leaders who focus on issues of access, equity and justice in higher education, and they'll be prepared for leadership positions in state government, nongovernmental organizations and schools.

Program WebsiteDegree DetailsAdmissions Info

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

  • Teaching

    Foster learning by conveying knowledge, skills and concepts to students

    Research

    Gathering and analyzing information to increase knowledge or solve problems

    Writing

    Creating professional written content for inclusion in scholarly journal articles, books and reports

  • Collaboration

    Working with others to achieve a common goal or objective

    Problem Solving

    Identifying, analyzing and resolving problems or challenges using creative and effective strategies

    Initiative

    Taking action and demonstrating leadership without being prompted or directed by others

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Potential Careers

  • Researcher
  • Leader
  • Faculty Member
  • Assessment Director
  • Policy Manager

Workplace Settings

  • Higher Education
  • K-12 Teaching and Leadership
  • Research Institutes
  • Government
  • Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)

I believe the EDFI courses challenged me to consider fundamental truths of education, and provided an opportunity to engage in serious critique. I connected on a deep level with my fellow classmates to seek understanding of various viewpoints.

Theresa Harrison
Portrait of Theresa Harrison

You may also like

Related Degrees

  1. Teacher holding an animal skull in a classroom with students
  2. Group of five alumni in graduation gowns and doctoral hoods at a commencement ceremony.
  3. Two students and a professor sat at a table.
  4. Large choir singing at practice.
  5. A group of students walking on the brick path on the Historic Horseshoe.
  6. Students and faculty sitting at a table discussing.
  7. Teacher in the front of a classroom of students pointing to a smart board.
  8. Person leaning over a table looking at a book.
  9. Student sitting at a computer.
View all degrees
©