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Cultural Foundations - Ph.D.

Empower yourself as a thought leader in education with our Ph.D. degree in Cultural Foundations, offering a comprehensive curriculum that prepares you to critically examine, interpret and shape educational policies and practices, driving positive change in the field.

Contact Natasha Levinson, nlevinso@kent.edu, 330-672-0592

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Program Information for Cultural Foundations - Ph.D.

Program Description

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Cultural Foundations engages students in analyzing the dynamic historical, social, cultural, economic and political contexts of education in and out of school from normative, interpretive and critical perspectives. Students also examine the philosophical, ethical, social and cultural dimensions of education and develop expertise in the range of social science and humanities-oriented research methods and modes of analysis in the field of social foundations of education.

Students in the doctoral program work closely with faculty to apply their learning to their areas of professional and personal interest, generating dissertation projects that make a contribution to original knowledge in the field as well as the intellectual and organizational aspects of their professions, organizations and communities.

Admissions for Cultural Foundations - Ph.D.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 3.500 graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae
  • Goal statement that describes applicants' educational background, their motivation for pursuing a doctorate in the cultural foundations of education, how they learned about this program and how they think this program will help them pursue their goals
  • Two letters of recommendation, one of which should be from a former instructor if possible
  • Writing sample (starting with spring 2027 admission term, writing sample is no longer required)
  • Interview
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score

Applicants will be assessed holistically, considering academic credentials, related professional experience, academic or professional references, scholarly activities and professional activities, among others.

1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority deadline: March 15
  • Spring Semester
    • Priority deadline: October 15
  • Summer Term
    • Priority deadline: February 1

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Analyze the dynamic historical, social, cultural, economic and political contexts of education in and out of school from normative, interpretive and critical perspectives.
  2. Examine the philosophical, ethical, social and cultural dimensions of education.
  3. Develop expertise in the range of social science and humanities-oriented research methods and modes of analysis in the field of social foundations of education.
  4. Conduct independent research that makes a contribution to original knowledge in the field as well as the intellectual and organizational aspects of their professions, schools and communities.

Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
CULT 80050HUMANITIES-ORIENTED RESEARCH IN EDUCATION 3
CULT 80080DISSERTATION PREPARATION AND SCHOLARLY DEVELOPMENT 3
CULT 89581INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION 3
Research Electives, choose from the following:6
CULT 80040
APPROACHES TO COMMUNITY-ENGAGED INQUIRY
ENG 85042
DISCOURSE ANALYSIS
HIST 81070
WRITING SEMINAR IN HISTORY
RMS 78807
PROGRAM EVALUATION
RMS 85516
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN
RMS 85520
MIXED METHODS RESEARCH
RMS 85560
CRITICAL SOCIAL RESEARCH
Specialized Research Elective, choose from the following3
CULT 80040
APPROACHES TO COMMUNITY-ENGAGED INQUIRY
ENG 85042
DISCOURSE ANALYSIS
HIST 81070
WRITING SEMINAR IN HISTORY
RMS 78807
PROGRAM EVALUATION
RMS 85518
ADVANCED QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
RMS 85520
MIXED METHODS RESEARCH
RMS 85560
CRITICAL SOCIAL RESEARCH
Other course approved by faculty advisor
Cultural Foundations Electives, choose from the following:27
CULT 70093
VARIABLE TOPIC WORKSHOP IN CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS
CULT 76001
PRINCIPLES AND METHODS OF COMMUNITY INCLUSION
CULT 77015
DISABILITY, SOCIETY AND CULTURE
CULT 79491
SEMINAR: CLASSICS IN PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
CULT 79530
MULTICULTURAL THEORIES AND SCHOLARSHIP IN EDUCATION
CULT 79564
HISTORY OF UNITED STATES EDUCATION
CULT 79575
ANTHROPOLOGY AND EDUCATION
CULT 79791
SEMINAR: CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
CULT 80030
SOCIAL CONTEXTS OF EDUCATION: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND THEORY
CULT 80040
APPROACHES TO COMMUNITY-ENGAGED INQUIRY
CULT 89521
MULTICULTURAL EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE AND POLICY
CULT 89522
ETHICS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
CULT 89582
SOCIAL THEORIES IN EDUCATION
CULT 89592
ADVANCED PRACTICUM AND INTERNSHIP IN CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS
CULT 89595
SPECIAL TOPICS IN CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS
CULT 89596
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS
CULT 89598
RESEARCH IN CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS
CULT 89691
VARIABLE CONTENT SEMINAR: GREAT IDEAS IN EDUCATION
Other courses approved by faculty advisor
Culminating Requirement
CULT 80199DISSERTATION I 130
Minimum Total Credit Hours:75
1

Upon admission to candidacy each doctoral candidate, must register for CULT 80199. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I for a total of 30 credit hours, and thereafter CULT 80299, each semester until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • After admission to the program, students plan a program of study with their respective faculty advisory committee headed by their advisor. A midpoint formative review presentation, comprehensive exam and dissertation are required for graduation.
Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • Mostly online
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Possible Careers and Salaries

Careers

Many graduates of the Ph.D. in Cultural Foundations have pursued careers in various education-related fields nationally and internationally, including faculty and administrators in higher education, Pre-K–12 education administration, educational organizations, cultural organizations, civic organizations, and non-profits. Others see an advanced degree in the Cultural Foundations as a way of opening up new avenues in their professional lives while contributing to their communities. 

  • Develop facility with the range of social science and humanities-oriented research methods and modes of analysis in the field of social foundations of education.
  • Conduct independent research resulting in an original contribution to knowledge in the field of cultural foundations of education.
  • Bring foundational research to bear on the intellectual and organizational aspects of their professions, schools and communities.