Doctor of Philosophy

PhD in Mathematics Education

Method of delivery:
In-person
Applications open:
October 1, 2024
Applications close:
December 1, 2024
Next start date:
September 2025

Explore and focus on an array of mathematics education contexts including primary, secondary, or college-level teaching and learning, as well as teacher preparation.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Designed for

Students from a variety of academic backgrounds who are interested in becoming scholars and leaders in mathematics education. Prior knowledge of mathematics and issues related to teaching and learning mathematics is required.

Program Structure

  • 20 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 2025

PROGRAM DESIGN & COURSES

Program Design

Participation in a doctoral program is not synonymous with participation in doctoral course work. A program is greater than the sum of its course work. It includes, among other things, participation in a scholarly community and collaboration with peers. In addition, a program carries with it an implicit understanding that its graduates will have both a broad and a deep understanding of the canon of knowledge and practices that make up our field. 

As such, there is also a set of non-course expectations for completion of our program. They are: Book Club, the Mathematics Education Doctoral Students Conference (MEDS-C), and informal Student Gatherings.

Courses

Students complete:

EDUC 905-5 FIELDWORK IV

See your supervisor for more information.

EDUC 941-5 MATHEMATICAL LEARNING AND THINKING: HISTORICAL, PHILOSOPHICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS

Focuses on motivations and rationales guiding seminal thinkers in the historical development of mathematical thinking, mathematical cognition and learning, with an eye toward foundational issues in contemporary educational research, theory and practice.

EDUC 942-5 CONTEMPORARY THEORIES AND METHODOLOGIES IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

Contemporary theories and methodologies in mathematics education will be examined and analysed. Developing an overview of mathematics education as an evolving research domain will be focal.

EDUC 946-5 DOCTORAL SEMINAR IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

This seminar is designed to extend and deepen students' understanding of the discipline of mathematics education. It will examine international developments, research programs, special interest groups, recent theories in learning and teaching mathematics, and issues in mathematics teacher education. Prerequisite: EDUC 942.

EDUC 983-5 COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

The examination is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Normally, the comprehensive examination is completed in the term in which course requirements are completed, or the term immediately following.

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.

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 mathematics education leaders for school boards
  • Leaders in mathematics education at the provincial ministry level
  • Educational consultants
  • Researchers

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Meet some Mathematics Education PhD students and alumni.

  • Dr. Sheree Rodney has had a passion for school and teaching since childhood. However, her interest in mathematics education became apparent while pursuing teacher training studies. At the time, there were very few teacher candidates with an interest in mathematics. She saw that as a gap and an opportunity to make a difference.

  • "My experiences as a graduate student transformed my teaching, and wanting to learn more, I decided to pursue doctoral studies in mathematics education. "

"My experiences as a graduate student transformed my teaching, and wanting to learn more, I decided to pursue doctoral studies in mathematics education."

Sandy Bakos, Current Student

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

Curious to know more about the program?

QUESTIONS?