Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Apply now!

Intake

TBD

Program components

Coursework
Practicum and Internship (some concentrations)
Comprehensive Examination
Thesis

Registration options

Full-time

Description

The PhD with a major in Education is a theory and practice-rich research degree where students will address significant issues and professional practice within a particular concentration. The program will prepare research-literate individuals for careers in a variety of educational and professional contexts which increasingly base their inquiries on research-based studies. These contexts include schools, school districts, professional practice in counseling psychology, professional associations, community and government agencies, colleges, and universities.

The program is designed to be completed in four years. Courses are completed as a cohort on campus.


Concentrations:

Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum

Intakes commence Summer term. Applications are not currently being accepted.

Candidates are encouraged to spend a minimum of one full year on campus.

Potential research areas for the Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum concentration include:

  • issues in, and theories of, learning and development
  • learning conditions
  • issues in teaching and curriculum in general and within all subject areas and other specializations
  • issues in assessment issues in instructional communication technology
  • human and social context of education, including the impact of philosophy, history, psychology and sociology of education and other cognate disciplines
  • comparative education
  • specific issues like multiculturalism, gender, and global education
  • atypicality and dysfunction and special/inclusive education.

Program Schedule


Formal and Distributive Leadership

Intakes commence Summer term. Applications are not currently being accepted.

Candidates are encouraged to spend a minimum of one full year on campus.

Potential research areas for the Formal and Distributive Leadership concentration include:

  • organizational leadership within school districts, schools and other educational contexts
  • leadership roles and functions in curriculum design, development, implementation and change
  • student assessment
  • quality assurance reviews
  • program curriculum and evaluation
  • instructional supervision
  • educational consulting
  • teacher mentoring
  • teacher leadership
  • teacher learning and teacher education
  • building a learning community.

Program Schedule


Counselling Psychology

Intakes commence Fall term. Applications are not currently being accepted. 

Our program is designed around rigorous adherence to accreditation standards, and current ethical professional practice. Students are prepared to work with diverse populations and settings as a registered psychologist/professional counsellor, and as a researcher in the field.

In addition to required courses, Comprehensive Examination, a doctoral Thesis, and a doctoral Thesis Oral Defence, students complete a Practicum and Internship.

In this program you will: 

  • demonstrate critical understanding of counselling theory, research and practice through academically rigorous verbal and written communication
  • establish competence in planning, conducting, evaluating and disseminating counselling psychology research
  • acquire and demonstrate competency in case conceptualization, assessment and interventions required for practice as a registered psychologist or professional counsellor
  • understand and demonstrate ethical and legal standards, ethical reasoning, standards of practice, and professional conduct in counselling psychology
  • show understanding of the role of diversity in all areas of counselling psychology research and practice
  • understand and contribute to research-based scholarship that informs counselling practice

Program Schedule


In case of discrepancies between this page and the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue, the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue shall prevail.

Admission information

  • Master's degree in the discipline of interest from a recognized degree-granting institution.
  • Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 on all graded master's-level courses
  • Evidence of success as professional educators or counsellors with approximately two years of experience.
  • Evidence to demonstrate research skills, in the form of a Master's thesis, an outstanding Research Project, or peer-reviewed journal publications. In lieu of a Master's thesis, significant demonstration of research ability must be evident.
  • English Language Proficiency requirement for Graduate Students through recognised study or a valid standardised test (see English Language Proficiency for Graduate Students).

Applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The proposed research interest of the applicant must complement the supervisor's current, active research program.

Step 1: Prepare Supporting Documents

Please see the Supporting Documents for the PhD (Education) program below.

Step 2: Find a Supervisor

To find a potential supervisor, you will need to contact a uLethbridge faculty member with expertise in your research area. Please visit Search Supervisors page to find a potential supervisor.

Step 3: Submit Online Application by Deadline

Submit your complete application by midnight (MST/MDT) on the deadline date.

Step 4: Arrange for Official Documents
Official documents (e.g., transcripts, ELP test scores) are required prior to course registration.

Note: Applicants who have attended or are currently attending an institution participating in ApplyAlberta do not need to arrange for official transcripts to be sent to uLethbridge from the issuing institution. A list of participating institutions is available at www.applyalberta.ca.

Step 5: Admission Interview and Decision

The selection committee reviews applications. Applicants selected for consideration will be invited to a scheduled admission interview. To accommodate applicants from a greater distance these interviews may be conducted online.

The selection committee makes a recommendation on admission to the program committee. You will be notified of your official admission status by the Registrar's Office no later than April 1.

For more details please see the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue.

Supporting documents

Unofficial Transcripts
You will need to upload and submit your unofficial transcripts, including proof of graduation for your completed degree(s) and transcripts of all post-baccalaureate work, if any, via the online application system.

Official Transcripts
You will also need to arrange for your official transcripts to be sent to the Registrar’s Office. Your official transcripts are required to be received prior to course registration.

Applicants who have attended or are currently attending institutions NOT participating in ApplyAlberta must arrange to have official transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution to the Admissions Office. A list of participating institutions is available at applyalberta.ca.

Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope to:
Registrar’s Office
University of Lethbridge
4401 University Drive West
Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4
Canada

Your transcripts are required to display your up-to-date coursework, including grades/marks received for completed coursework.

Applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy (Education) major are required to submit two (3) academic and one (1) professional reference letters. You should have studied with at least two of your references.

Your CV is a comprehensive document with a formal structure and academic focus. It should include your background, work experience, awards, scholarships, publications, and other achievements. If you are a current or former University of Lethbridge student, contact Career and Employment Services for additional information on the content and structure of a CV.

Your Letter of Intent for the Doctor of Philosophy (Education) major must contain:

  • Goals or objectives for seeking a graduate degree in the chosen discipline.
  • You should address your letter to the Graduate Programs in Education Program Committee.

Things to Note:

Your Letter of Intent is your opportunity to show us your passion for your proposed research. Explain how dedicated and invested you are to your proposed graduate program, and provide specific examples of key accomplishments. Be concise and include only important information – reviewers have many graduate applications to review; your Letter of Intent should generally be no more than one page in length unless otherwise stated.

English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Lethbridge. Prior to registration, all applicants to the School of Graduate Studies must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) sufficient to meet the demands of classroom instruction, written assignments, research, and participation in tutorials and discussions, regardless of their citizenship or country of origin. Please see the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for graduate students for detailed information.