arizona state university phd in education

Mathematics Education, PHD

On this page:, at a glance: program details.

• Location: Tempe campus
• Second Language Requirement: No

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Mathematics Education

This transdisciplinary PhD program in mathematics education accommodates students from a variety of academic backgrounds. It provides students with a solid foundation in graduate-level mathematics as well as research skills and perspectives that enable them to incorporate mathematics into such core educational areas as:

Conducting individual and collaborative research in the learning and teaching of mathematics is an integral part of the program.

Degree Requirements

Curriculum plan options.

• 84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (12 credit hours) MTE 501 Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education I (3) MTE 502 Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education II (3) MTE 503 Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Ill (3) MTE 504 Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education IV (3)

Electives (42 credit hours)

Area Courses (12 credit hours)

Research (6 credit hours) MTE 792 Research (6)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) MTE 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information Four to five graduate-level (500 and above) elective courses from mathematics, cognitive science, psychology, educational technology, philosophy or research should be taken as approved by the advisor.

For the area courses, students are required to take four graduate-level courses from the following areas of interest: mathematics, applied mathematics or statistics. Students should see the academic unit for the approved course list.

Students should see the school's website for information about qualifier and comprehensive examinations based on math coursework.

The doctoral dissertation culminating experience consists of a dissertation prospectus, oral dissertation defense and the submission of a final revised, formatted dissertation document to the Graduate College. Dissertations are composed under chair- and committee-supervised research, including literature review, research, data collection and analysis, and writing.

When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, up to 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree may be used for this program. If students do not have a previously awarded master's degree, the remaining coursework is made up of electives and research.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in mathematics or a closely related area, with exceptionally high grades in advanced coursework in mathematics, from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• statement of education and career goals
• writing sample
• three letters of recommendation
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

At least two of the letters of recommendation must be from faculty.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, learning outcomes.

• Able to complete original research in applied mathematics.
• Able to incorporate mathematical concepts into novel teaching methods.
• Address an original research question in mathematics education.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the doctoral program in mathematics education have opportunities in Arizona, the U.S. and internationally. Opportunities are typically at research universities and liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and education consulting firms and in roles such as:

• faculty-track academic
• education consultant or analyst
• mathematics professor, instructor or researcher

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

• [email protected]
• 480/965-3951