Doctor of Philosophy

PhD in Educational Theory and Practice: Curriculum and Pedagogy Stream

Method of delivery:
In-person
Applications open:
November 1, 2023
Applications close:
January 15, 2024
Next start date:
September 2024

Expand your understanding or scope of practice within formal and informal sectors of education, including K–12, early childhood education, adult education, post-secondary education, etc, while you examine program development, assessment, curriculum development and the theories and practices of instructional design and delivery.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Designed for

This program is intentionally broad to be inclusive of the diverse range of fields of study of our students that could be explored through the lens and dynamics of theories and practices in education.

Program Structure

  • 18 units of coursework plus Doctoral exam and thesis
  • In-person classes, typically at the Burnaby campus
  • Late afternoon or evening classes

Intake Schedule

Next Start Terms
Fall 2023 (applications closed)
Fall 2024

PROGRAM DESIGN & COURSES

Program Design

Our Educational Theory and Practice (eTAP) programs are intentionally broad to be inclusive of the diverse range of fields of study that could be explored through the lens and dynamics of theories and practices in education.

This multi and interdisciplinary understanding promotes inquiry into your own specific interests and backgrounds within your classes through discussions, additional readings, papers, projects, etc., under the guidance and mentorship of your supervisor and committee.

You will receive close academic mentorship with one or more faculty members who have expertise in areas of research that resonate with your own areas of inquiry.

Am I ready to apply to the ETAP Doctoral Program?

Doctoral studies involve sustained scholarly work, typically for a period of six years. Some possible indicators of readiness to undertake an intensive course of study at the doctoral level include:

  • A disposition of curiosity, questioning, and reflection beyond your masters course work
  • A tolerance for uncertainty and an openness to new ideas
  • The capacity to engage in a sustained and regular writing practice
  • Reading ongoingly in your area of interest, beyond the curriculum of your master’s course work
  • The ability to identify a focus, question or problem that you care deeply about. This focus should feed your soul and have the potential to contribute to understandings, applications, pedagogies, capacity building, and/or practices
  • A sense of the scholarly conversations that you want to contribute to
  • Knowledge of, and ideally participation in, the current research, community-based, and/or practice-based conversations related to this line of inquiry
  • The time and motivation, as well as the physical and emotional energy, and family support to pursue this line of inquiry over a period of years
  • A familiarity with research traditions/approaches to inquiry
  • The ability to self-direct your scholarly work, as well as work collaboratively with peers and mentors

Doctoral Students typically work closely with one or more faculty mentors from the ETAP program over the course of their studies. It is advisable to review the affiliated faculty members’ research interests and publications and consider how their scholarly expertise and interests may align with your proposed research. We recommend initiating a conversation with a faculty member who you believe may be a suitable pro tem supervisor for your work early in the applications process.

Courses

Courses EDUC 901A and EDUC 901B are taken together as well as EDUC 902A and EDUC 902B.

Students complete:

EDUC 901A-3 SEMINAR IN THE HISTORY OF EDUCATIONAL THEORY A

The historical roots of educational thought are examined from a broad cultural perspective. Major works in disciplines such as philosophy, psychology and sociology which have had significant impact on educational theorizing will be studied. Special attention will be paid to the relationship between theory and educational practice. Corequisite: EDUC 901B.

EDUC 901B-3 SEMINAR IN THE HISTORY OF EDUCATIONAL THEORY B

A further consideration of concepts explored in the EDUC 901 "A" course, with a view to providing students with opportunities to apply these ideas within their own educational settings. Corequisite: EDUC 901A.

EDUC 902A-3 INTERDISCIPLINARY SEMINAR IN CONTEMPORARY EDUCATIONAL THEORY A

Contemporary educational theories and theories from supporting disciplines (e.g., psychology, sociology, philosophy) will be examined and analysed. The relationships among contemporary theories, current practice and educational change will be focal. Corequisite: EDUC 902B.

EDUC 902B-3 INTERDISCIPLINARY SEMINAR IN CONTEMPORARY EDUCATIONAL THEORY B

A further consideration of concepts explored in the EDUC 902 "A" course, with a view to providing students with opportunities to apply these ideas within their own educational settings. Corequisite: EDUC 902A.

EDUC 911-3 COLLOQUIUM IN CURRICULUM THEORY I

Investigations and discussions about curriculum theory and practice.

EDUC 912-3 COLLOQUIUM IN CURRICULUM THEORY II

Investigations and discussions about curriculum theory and practice.

EDUC 984-3 QUALIFYING EXAMINATION

The Qualifying Examination will follow completion of degree course work. An open oral qualifying examination given by the supervisory committee. The examination consists of a defence of the proposed thesis topic by the student and their responses to supervisory committee questions about related proposed research topics. The examination follows submission of a written PhD research proposal. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Students who fail will either successfully complete a second examination within six months or withdraw from the program.

EDUC 899-15* DOCTORAL THESIS

A major part of this program is original research. A thesis describing this is submitted and defended. Normally, before the fourth course a thesis research plan is presented to the supervisory committee. Upon entry to the program, every term students enroll in EDUC 899-15 Doctoral Thesis.

*Effective January 1, 2018, the unit value of EDUC 899 increased to 15 units from 10 units.

The supervisory committee may require further course work in this or other faculties. Students are encouraged to complete additional courses from other programs in Education and/or related departments outside the Faculty of Education.

LOCATION

At SFU, campus life is rich with opportunities to engage with people, ideas and activities that contribute to personal development and a better world.

Burnaby

Perched atop Burnaby Mountain, Simon Fraser University's original Arthur Erickson-designed campus includes more than three dozen academic buildings and a flourishing sustainable residential community.

Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, on which SFU Burnaby is located.

FACULTY

The non-departmental structure of our Faculty makes it relatively easy for students to take advantage of a wide variety of faculty expertise. Meet some of the faculty members teaching in this program.

FUTURE PATHWAYS

Where can this program take you? The world is changing rapidly and so is the full range of career and academic opportunities that await.

Occupations

  • Faculty members at universities and colleges
  • District curriculum leaders for school boards
  • Leaders in curriculum development at the provincial ministry level
  • Educational consultants
  • Researchers

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Meet some ETAP Curriculum and Pedagogy PhD students and alumni.

Jacky Barreiro, Current Student

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

Curious to know more about the program?

QUESTIONS?