Tennessee Tech University

The Ph.D. degree in the College of Education at Tennessee Technological University has been in existence since 2000. The degree takes approximately three years of full-time study beyond the Master's degree to complete.* For the Ph.D. dissertation, a clear, well-defined research design and methodology are required.

The Ph.D. degree program is coordinated as a college wide degree and requires three consecutive semesters of residency. Most often, but not exclusively, in selecting the Ph.D. program, a student projects a career focused on being engaged in research. Ph.D. students are expected to do original research for the dissertation which is based on theories of human development, learning, and behavior.

The Ph.D. at TTU focuses on the characteristics, strengths, and educational needs of individuals and groups whose learning potential and opportunities for success are frequently unrealized. Exceptional and at-risk populations include people for whom social, economic, and physical characteristics may serve as a barrier to development and learning. The Ph.D. will prepare leaders to work in schools, agencies, and universities to effect positive change in populations of diverse and at-risk learners, addressing social, economic, and physical characteristics that may serve as barriers to learning, primarily through research and service activities. The program core develops an understanding of the characteristics of these populations. The research core provides a strong emphasis on research techniques and applications. Three concentrations allow you to focus on specific interests:

 

• Applied Behavior Analysis prepares professionals who can develop and deliver behavioral interventions and supports for individuals within educational and habilitative settings. There are two strands with ABA: one focused on pre-school aged children and their families (ABAP) and one focused on school-aged children and adult populations (ABAS). (Concentration leaders - Dr. John Wheeler & Dr. Dean Richey)
• Literacy prepares professionals to deal with literacy issues related to diverse and at-risk populations of all ages. (Concentration leader - Dr. Deborah Setliff)
• Program Planning and Evaluation prepares professionals for leadership roles in program assessment and quality enhancement. (Concentration leader - Dr. Barry Stein)

*With the exception of the residency, students may be enrolled part time (defined as less than nine credit hours in the academic year and six hours in the summer). Students have eight years from the point of enrollment to complete the doctoral degree.