Department of Childhood Education
and Literacy Studies

Doctoral Programs

The Ph.D. degree is offered in Curriculum and Instruction with two emphasis options:  Reading/Language Arts and Early Childhood. These degrees require satisfactory completion of coursework, qualifying examination, dissertation, and the teaching of at least one university level course - which may be met as a part of a graduate assistant responsibility or through independent study.

Application Process

Applicants must submit an official GRE score (minimum 40th percentile for each section -- Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing) along with the following items, in the order listed, in a single pdf file to miranda@tempest.coedu.usf.edu.

• Academic Writing Samples/Publications (two samples that demonstrate writing and research skills)
  
• Personal Statement (two-page statement of your academic history and goals)
• Employment Evaluations (two employment references and contact information for your direct supervisor)
• Letters of Recommendation (professional/academic reference letters from three individuals who can attest to your academic accomplishments.  Provide contact information for each.)
  

Personal Interview:  When your file is complete, you may be invited to interview with the Admissions Committee.  Interviews are not available during the Summer, so please apply for Fall admission early in the year (by January if possible).

NOTE:  ATTENDING AS A NON-DEGREE STUDENT: 

Students must be fully admitted to the program before they may enroll in specialization courses. Before admission, non-degree enrollment is limited to the following courses (12 hours maximum):

• EDF 6407 Stat Anal Educ 1
• EDF 7408 Stat Anal Educ 2
• EDG 7667 Anal of Curr & Inst or EDG 7692 Issues in Curr & Instr or EDH 7225 Curr Dev in Higher Ed

Ph.D. Program of Study

Back to Top

Ph.D. Programs

Early Childhood Emphasis: This program prepares leaders in the field, such as college and university faculty, directors of programs for school systems, or clinical directors in private settings. The program is designed to provide expertise in research into learning processes, designing and evaluating instructional materials and teaching techniques, university and college teaching, and the teaching of learners with disabilities.

Special Admission Requirements

• Two years of successful experience in a professional role in an early childhood setting.
• Master's degree in early childhood education or a related field (additional graduate study may be added to the program to meet requirements).
• nternational students must meet the admission criteria set forth in International Applicant's section of the Graduate Catalog.

Reading/Language Arts Emphasis: This program prepares leaders in the field and is designed to promote expertise in producing research in the R/LA processes, in evaluating R/LA instructional materials, and in university teaching.

Special Admission Requirements

• At least one year of successful experience in a professional school role.
• Master's degree in education with a minimum of 10 graduate semester hours in R/LA or related disciplines (f this requirement is not met, admission may be granted if the student is willing to lengthen the program to meet prerequisites).
• Demonstration of eligibility for certification in at least one related area in education.
• International students must meet the admission criteria set forth in International Applicant's section of the Graduate Catalog.

Residency Requirement

Ph.D. programs prepare individuals who aspire to become producers of knowledge (researchers/university faculty). This requires research training and theory exploration to be major factors in the education of the Ph.D. candidate. Much of this training occurs during residency, although not necessarily in formal course work.

To accomplish this focus on training, each Ph.D. student is required to spend at least two consecutive semesters (about 30 weeks) in full-time residency on the Tampa campus. The student should be engaged in no more than half-time work outside the Ph.D. program during this period. Reduction of job responsibilities will allow the student to take advantage of the opportunities for learning that are available in the University community during regular day-time hours, to participate in research projects with faculty, and to teach courses at the University level.

The student must declare the semesters of residency as a part of the program of studies. Changes of these dates must be approved by the supervisory committee and must be submitted in writing to the Coordinator of Graduate Advising at least one semester before the residency is to occur. It is the responsibility of the Coordinator of Graduate Advising to certify, at the time of application for graduation, that the residency requirement has been met.

Coordinator, Reading/Language Arts
Dr. Jenifer Schneider
Office: EDU202
Phone: (813) 974-1057
jschneid@tempest.coedu.usf.edu

Coordinator, Early Childhood

Dr. Ilene R. Berson, NCSP
Office:  EDU202

Phone: (813) 974-7698

iberson@coedu.usf.edu

Interim Chairperson
Dr. Roger Brindley
Office: EDU202
Phone: (813) 974-3460

Graduate Programs Admissions Information

Ms. Christine Miranda
(813) 974-3463
Email: Miranda@tempest.coedu.usf.edu

Mailing Address:

College of Education
University of South Florida

Department of Childhood Education
4202 East Fowler Avenue EDU162
Tampa, Florida 33620-5650

Graduate Admissions
(813) 974-8800
http://www.grad.usf.edu

Apply online at FACTS:  (http://facts23.facts.org/admissions/jsp/dageneralinfosfg.jsp).

Back to Top