Your journey as a Teaching and Learning Ph.D. student will entail four major areas of study: teacher education, research, internships and a cognate in your area of interest beyond teacher education. 

You tailor the program of study to your interests. Research and teaching internships are individualized to match your goals.

Students in this program focus on a wide variety of areas from PK to higher education and various content areas including science, mathematics, literacy or social studies. Your classes may be held at area schools or on campus. 

 

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of the program, you will be prepared to teach and do research in schools and communities. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in universities, schools, educational organizations or State Departments of Education. Some graduates chose to do post-doctoral studies, refining their research skills and extending their teaching experiences.

 

You benefit from our Professional Development Schools Network 

A particular advantage of studying teaching and learning at USC are the many opportunities to learn about and work with the nation’s oldest and most extensive Professional Development School Network. These close partnerships with schools provide opportunities for graduate students to observe and participate in teacher preparation classes that are fully embedded in local schools. Professional Development Schools also provide rich opportunities for research and working with children.

 

Research

Depending on your research interests, you will be able to choose from among quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods for your research.  Students in the Teaching and Learning program choose from applied research projects that occur within schools and classrooms, theoretical, policy-based, or community projects.

 

Typical Coursework

Your coursework breaks down as follows:

• Teaching Education (18 hours)
• Research (18 hours, including a research internship)
• Teaching Internship (3 hours)
• Cognate (9 hours)
• Dissertation (12 hours)

For more information about curriculum or program requirements, please visit the academic bulletin.

 

Application Process 

In addition to The Graduate School’s application requirements, you will submit a letter of intent. If you meet the program criteria, you will also be interviewed by a committee of faculty members.

Applicants for this program should have at least two years of fulltime teaching experience. While multiple years of experience in PK-12 classrooms is ideal, teaching adults – including undergraduate and graduate students – will be considered by the admissions committee and may fulfill this requirement.