Teacher Education Ph.D.

Application for the Ph.D. in Teacher Education is accomplished through the UNLV Graduate College online application process. Deadline for completed and submitted applications is March 1.

Specific admission criteria for the PhD in Teacher Education include:

1. Meet the requirements for admission to the Graduate College of UNLV set forth in the UNLV Graduate catalog.
2. Hold a master’s degree from an accredited program in an area closely related to the chosen field of specialization. Normally, 18 semester hours in education are required.
3. Have a grade point average of 3.0 of higher in all graduate level coursework. *Please note that one third of the total program hours may be transferred from another accredited doctoral program.
4. Have satisfactory teaching experience, preferably licensed.
5. Obtain three letters of recommendation from individuals who can specifically address the applicant’s potential for success in the doctoral program. These letters of recommendation will be requested and submitted through the Graduate College online application system. One of the letters must be from a university faculty member addressing your past academic success and future potential in a doctoral program.
6. Submit one set of official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities as requested in the Graduate College online application. You may upload unofficial transcripts via the online application as a supplement if you have the documents in a digital computer file (e.g., PDF). Unofficial transcripts do NOT substitute for the official documents.
7. Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the General Exam. The scores should be sent directly to the Doctoral Studies Office in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Applicants are encouraged to provide self-reported scores for the GRE in the Standardized Tests section of the Graduate College online application.
8. Submit a Personal Statement via the Graduate College online application that addresses in detail: (a) the reasons for pursuing a doctorate in teacher education, (b) expectations concerning the doctoral program, (c) potential areas of study within teacher education, and (d) the name of a faculty member in the department with whom you would like to work [optional].
9. Submit a written statement regarding when the residency requirement will be met (see the Doctoral Handbook, pp. 6, 10-11, & 18; http://ci.unlv.edu/doctoral). This statement should be uploaded via the Graduate College online application in the Supplementary Information section as an “Other Required Document.”
10. Demonstrate oral communication skills through an interview conducted by members of the C&I graduate faculty. Out-of-state applicants must contact the Coordinator of Doctoral Studies directly to make alternate arrangements to the on-campus interview.
    11. International students are encouraged to self-report their TOEFL scores via the Graduate College online application. Official scores must also be sent directly to the UNLV Graduate College.

Admission Process

Once requirements are met, members of the C&I Graduate Faculty will evaluate all evidence for admission submitted by the applicant and then make their recommendations to the entire C&I faculty. The C&I faculty will make a recommendation to the Graduate College, and the Graduate College will send written notice regarding admission to the applicant. Only complete applications will be considered.

Continuing Enrollment

Once matriculated as a doctoral student, the student must enroll in at least three semester hours each term. The work must be related to the student’s program or dissertation.