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Collins Moga PhD '25: STEM Education & Tyler Scanlon '27: Biology (major)

STEM Education
PhD

The STEM Education PhD program at UMass Dartmouth helps address the national shortage of essential STEM educators and the need for better STEM education teaching practices. Doctoral students gain in-depth knowledge, robust interdisciplinary research skills, and a variety of practical experiences. The STEM Education PhD offers concentrations in Mathematics Education and Science Education.

In this doctoral program, you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to:

  • reconstruct, appropriate, and develop mathematical and scientific knowledge
  • explore approaches that emerge from the study of the research literature
  • write original research that represents your own contribution to knowledge
  • use critical-thinking skills to deal with transformation of knowledge
  • formulate and design solutions to complex educational problems

Research

Your research projects involve real-world situations ranging from local schools to higher education departments and other formal and informal learning settings. Your advisors will work with you as you conduct, publish, and present your own research throughout the program.

Doctoral students can explore questions about:

  • how to improve STEM education at the K-12 level
  • how to promote better learning in STEM fields
  • how to engage more K-20 students in STEM-related fields
  • how to prepare teachers to better teach STEM content
  • how to develop materials to support teaching and learning in STEM fields

The Kaput Center

UMass Dartmouth has a long-standing tradition of leadership in STEM with its nationally renowned Kaput Center for Research and Innovation in STEM Education. The Kaput Center fosters a spirit of innovation among the faculty, graduate students and educational and scientific institutions, industry, and federal agencies. All benefit from the expertise of UMassD faculty and graduates and their research.

Student success

UMassD School of Education mean starting salary

NACE AY 2023 Data Collection of Graduate Alumni
Travis Weiland

Student spotlight

Travis Weiland, PhD '17

Accepts tenure-track position at Appalachia State University

  • 18 credits of introductory coursework to develop your knowledge of research tools, methodologies and theories
  • 18 credits of preparatory coursework that refines and focuses your understanding of the research process
  • 36 hours of doctoral work, 12 of which are doctoral coursework and 24 credits of dissertation research

Admissions requirements

To apply please create an account in our Applicant Portal. You will need to submit:

  • Application form
  • $60 application fee (non-refundable)
  • Statement of Purpose (minimum 300 words)
  • Resume
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not)
  • English Proficiency test scores:TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic (if applicable)
  • Letter(s) of Recommendation (see program requirements for more information)
  • GRE/GMAT (not required for most programs, see program requirements for more information)

Unofficial transcripts and test scores are accepted for application review but official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration. 

Program-specific requirements

Candidates must submit the required application materials, university requirements and program-specific requirements, for consideration.

  • GRE is waived
  • Statement of purpose should addres two issues: a) applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the program, including personal and career goals; b) an outline of potential research interests and connections to faculty work.
  • 3 letters of recommendation. Applicants will be required to provide the recommenders name and email address so we can contact the recommender for the letter of recommendation.

Application dates

A limited number of assistantships are available on a competitive basis. This award is subject to the work needs of the position and department, your satisfactory performance of duties, your academic record, and availability of funds, and may be subject to change.

Learn more about assistantships at UMass Dartmouth