Human Sciences (PhD) - Child Development/Early Childhood Education

Description

The comprehensive Ph.D. program in Child Development/Early Childhood Education is designed to prepare students to be independent scholars in research and education professions. To meet this objective we make three guarantees to students admitted to the program. Every student will have:

• An intensive research experience
• An independent teaching opportunity
• An opportunity for international engagement

Program-Related Information

Graduate Chair

Rochelle Dalla
402-472-2957
rdalla1@unl.edu

Support Staff

Natalie Thompson
402-472-2957
nthompson12@unl.edu   

Program Website

https://cehs.unl.edu/cyaf/programs/child-developmentearly-childhood-education-phd/

Applying for Admission

Standard requirements for all graduate programs

• Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee.
• Transcripts (unofficial): Uploaded as part of application form.

  _{If International: Uploads must include all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.}

  _{After admission: Official documents are required from all students who are admitted and enroll. Photocopies of certified records are not acceptable. International students enrolled in other U.S. institutions may have certified copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by their current school’s registrar office.}

• If applicant’s native language is not English, verification of English proficiency is required.

  _{When sending TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.}

• If applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa: financial information.
• Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.

Additional requirements specific to this program

Admission Application Deadlines

Requirements

Hours required: 90

Program Tracks:

The CD/ECE doctoral specialization consists of two tracks:

1. Comprehensive Ph.D. program that combines a M.S. and Ph.D. into one program;
2. Ph.D. program for students with a M.S. degree.

The minimum amount of graduate credit for the Ph.D. is 90 credit hours, including a disseration. At least 45 credit hours must be completed at the University of Nebraska after the filing of the program of studies. Students who have completed a Master’s degree prior to admission may have some of their previously earned credits count toward the degree, and the student’s supervisory committee makes this determination.  

Required Coursework:

Child and Family Theories (CYAF 972)
Professional Development Seminar (CYAF 901)
Teaching Practicum (CYAF 920)

Research and Statistics (15 credits):

Minimum 9 credit hours of statistics
Minimum 3 credit hours of research methods

Supporting coursework related to the discipline (39 credits):

Select courses in CYAF and other departments within the University that will support you in meeting your professional goals. Your supervisory committee will assist you in selecting these courses. Some students complete additional certificates as part of their supporting coursework.

Doctoral Seminar (15 credits):

Doctoral seminar (CYAF 995) is designed to provide supervised experiences developing the skills of a scholar, such as engaging in all phases of research from conception to presentation or publication of research findings; conducting literature review; coding and analyzing data; designing measures; conducting a program evaluation; or writing a grant application. Students contract with faculty members to complete 995.

Dissertation (12-18 credits):

Students enroll in dissertation when they begin working on their dissertation proposal, typically after they have completed and passed their comprehensive exam and have completed their other coursework.

 Child Development/Early Childhood Education Doctoral Handbook