Ph.D. in Educational Studies

About the Ph.D. in Educational Studies

Along with Acadia University and Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU), StFX is pleased to offer a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Studies. Launched in 2011, this inter-university program helps scholars develop the advanced knowledge and research skills that are vital in today’s changing educational landscape. Key components include an intensive on-site summer institute, interactive web-enabled courses, a comprehensive scholarly portfolio, and a doctoral dissertation. It is a full-time, 42 credit hour program.

Learn More

Why pursue a Ph.D. in educational studies at StFX?

The Ph.D. in Educational Studies program is uniquely Nova Scotian, providing exciting opportunities to study with Atlantic Canada’s finest educational scholars and researchers. Drawing on the collective resources of this renowned scholarly community, the program cultivates graduates who are ideally positioned for leadership roles in academic and professional organizations. If you choose to make StFX your “home” university, you’ll benefit from our faculty’s expertise in the areas of educational administration, leadership, curriculum studies, and adult education.

Please see StFX Faculty of Education members and their research interests by clicking here.

Program at a glance

Education Ph.D. students obtain substantial knowledge of foundational and contemporary research, along with the theoretical and methodological expertise to develop their own research topic. In the first year of the program, students study full time, taking a rigorous series of courses and preparing a comprehensive scholarly portfolio. In subsequent years, candidates conduct research leading to the completion of their doctoral dissertation. Although they have five years to complete, normally students will complete their doctoral program in about four years.

How to apply

The total admission quota for the three institutions is 14 students per year.

Students are admitted on the basis of the availability of appropriate dissertation supervisors in relation to one of the six theme areas:

• Curriculum studies,
• Literacy,
• Inclusive education,
• Lifelong learning,
• Educational foundations and leadership, or
• Psychological aspects of education.

Two StFX Departments, Curriculum and Leadership and the Department of Adult Education, admit up to a maximum of four (4) applicants per year from individuals with research interests that align with a potential supervisor in one of the above areas of study.

Admissions, program administration, and course delivery is governed collaboratively by all three institutions (StFX, Acadia, and MSVU). More information on admissions can be found here.

To learn more about potential study areas at StFX, please contact Jennifer Connors at @email.

Future Opportunities