Utah State University

Staff picture
Staff
Updated August 6, 2020

It does not matter what direction a student's goals in the education sector are. There are a number of opportunities from teaching in a K-12 environment to administration of a higher education institution. All of this is possible after acquiring a Ph.D. in the philosophy of education from Utah State University. This degree provides a comprehensive foundation in the theories and methodologies you will use throughout your career. This historic university has been a center of higher education since the 19th century. It is set in the unspoiled scenery of the Logan Valley, with the nearby town of Logan considered a great place for student living in the entire country. The university itself is a sprawling 400-acre campus composed of eight diverse colleges. It offers a huge variety of sports, including quick access to ten major ski resorts, an art museum, and theaters for the arts. Learning, discovery and engagement are the core goal of Utah State University.

Utah State University Accreditation Details

Utah State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which promotes continuous improvement through self-reflection and peer evaluation.

Utah State University Application Requirements

Incoming freshmen to Utah State University are required meet the following academic criteria for admission to the university:

  • 2.5 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • A minimum score of 17 on the ACT or 820 on the SAT

To apply for admission to Utah State University, applicants must submit the following by February 1st:

  • Application, either online or paper
  • $40 application fee (up to $55 if late)
  • Official high school transcript
  • Official copies of ACT or SAT scores

Applicants for graduate programs at Utah State University are required to provide the following to apply for acceptance into their chosen program:

  • Complete the online USU Graduate School Application, including a 700-900-word motivational essay
  • $55 application fee
  • Submission of GMAT, GRE, or MAT test scores, if applicable
  • Transcript from undergraduate degree
  • Three letters of recommendation

Tuition and Financial Aid

The tuition for Utah State University depends on a student's residency. Undergraduate education will cost a resident student $15,270 for one year and a non-resident student $25,570 for one year.

Utah State University accepts the following forms of financial aid:

  • Grants
  • Work-Study
  • Federal Loans (FAFSA)
  • Scholarships
  • Private Loans
  • Research Fellowships

Utah State University Online Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Utah State University offers a Ph.D in the Philosophy of Education, which gives students an opportunity to receive a focused education. This program is only provided to a maximum of twenty students at a time. This is a distance-learning program that consists of high-quality courses broadcasted to selected regional campuses on Monday and Thursday evenings. This allows you to take part after your other work or family commitments. These courses are not merely for listening and taking notes, but allow for two-way audiovisuals for you to communicate with your classmates and teacher in return. Furthermore, you then spend two summers at the Logan campus taking face-to-face lessons and enjoying all the benefits of the University's facilities and student lifestyle. The program concludes with a third summer of exams and the students prepare a dissertation, which is the final required component.

The program offers a range of courses, allowing you to emphasize your attention on what you find particularly interesting. The core courses provide 12 credits and offer introductions to Program Evaluation, Research Design and Analysis, and Qualitative Methods. These courses allow you to develop skills in conducting evaluation studies, statistical analysis, data critique and strategies of inquiry (ethnography, biography, history). Other studies include methodologies such case studies, sampling, fieldwork, data collection as well as examining the socio-political and ethical issues of these approaches.

Students may also earn 15 credits by studying the Historical, Social and Cultural Foundations of Education, Foundations in Teaching and Learning, Curriculum Theory, Program Seminars and Literature Reviews. From these courses, you can expand your knowledge in the interdependence of education and society. Furthermore, you can see how that influences the curriculum and instruction provided in the country, the history of curriculum theories, and the origins of how we organize the school. On top of this, you develop the ability to critically examine and integrate learning theories and teaching models, critique literature and write reviews.

You also choose one of three areas in which to emphasize your learning experience, earning 21 credits in your chosen field. In the Instructional Leadership area of emphasis, you have the opportunity to learn about the theories of instructional supervision, modes of reading and supervising reading and organizational leadership. Other things a student focuses on include issues and solutions in school law and finance, human resource management in education, and various perspectives to social problems.

In the Math Education and Leadership area of emphasis, you develop skills in mathematics education by examining current research in the foundations of mathematics and how the brain works. A focus on historical theoretical perspectives, current socio-political and economic trends in mathematics education and the influence of individual theorists on how we teach math is also studied. In addition, mathematical learning and assessment models are studied, as are the study of current issues and policies and critiquing the content of national and international state curriculums.

Finally, the Literacy Education and Leadership area of emphasis is perfect for those who wish to work in the world of literacy, literacy research, and literacy instruction. In this area, you receive a foundation in advanced knowledge of linguistics. This includes language acquisition, psycho- and social linguistics, and semiotics. This is done before learning how to critically examine classical and contemporary research in literacy, understanding the principles and methods of literacy teaching and assessment, and how to conduct your own literacy research.

The final 12 credits are earned from the dissertation, which requires a proposal beforehand and defense after writing. The total estimated cost of the tuition and fees for the Ph.D. in Education is $26,734

Utah State University provides a Ph.D program online for those who wish to further careers in education. With a choice of three specializations in the online program and five specializations in the on-campus program, Utah State University's online Ph.D in Education is an excellent resource for students. Graduates can grow in their careers and have an impact on both students and the community of education.

Latest Posts