Prepare for a career in which you will help college students explore science; share your excitement of science with adult learners; and be involved in research in your field through one of our two science doctoral degrees:
Doctor of Education (EdD) in Science
Doctor of Education (EdD) in Science Education
In our programs, you will:
- Study broadly in your chosen concentration area.
We will prepare you to teach comprehensive introductory courses in your major field/concentration as well as, upper division, undergraduate courses in your subdiscipline or related courses outside of your core discipline. For example, in a small college a physics professor may teach a mathematics course or an interdisciplinary science course; and a science education professor may teach a course in curriculum and instruction.
- Learn how to teach.
All science doctoral students will complete a core of education and science education courses; however, the depth and breadth of teaching course work will vary from student to student, according to their career goals. Historically, Ball State has emphasized teaching, and we immerse our doctoral students in that scholarship of teaching culture.
- Practice teaching a college science course with a faculty mentor.
You will complete a supervised, extended internship teaching under the mentorship of a faculty member. First, you will have teaching opportunities within your capabilities, usually as a teaching assistant in a laboratory portion of an introductory course. Then you will progress to teaching a small, and then a significant, part of a course. Finally you will have full responsibility for teaching an entire course in your major field department or other real-world setting. Our students typically teach in some capacity in their programs, steadily sharpening their skills.
Part-Time Students
With careful planning, you can complete our program as a part-time student within the degree's seven-year limit, including the residency requirement. In fact, pursuing the degree part-time will allow you not only work to full time, but also to gain valuable experience in support of your doctoral studies. For example,
- Students pursuing a science doctorate might work at an environmentally oriented public-or private-sector job that supports their studies in field biology, geology, or natural resources.
- Students with a concentration in physics or computer science might work as a programmer.
- Students employed full time in the health care field might pursue a concentration in physiology or health science.
- Community college science faculty might pursue a doctorate in their field.