PhD in Education with an emphasis in Teacher Learning, Research & Practice

This groundbreaking program emphasis offers a rigorous pathway for those interested in becoming teacher educators who conduct research and support the practice of teaching and teacher education. We take this hybrid role of teacher educator as both researcher and practitioner, as well as the historical legacy of inequalities perpetuated by teacher education. This program prepares graduate students for careers as researchers and teachers in university settings with a particular emphasis on equity and justice, as educational leaders in schools and community organizations, and as researchers and developers in private and non-profit sectors. 

The program offers a welcoming and dynamic scholarly community. In addition to foundational coursework, the Teacher Learning, Research & Practice program consists of four advanced seminar courses:

  1. Critical Approaches for Teacher Educator/University Instructor Development
  2. History and Policy Issues in Teaching and Teacher Education
  3. Theories of Teacher Learning and Teacher Education, and
  4. Designing for Teacher Learning and Teacher Education.

Each month, students and faculty meet for a vibrant lunch seminar to work together to identify and collaboratively explore topics of interest and relevance in teaching and teacher education. Coursework emphasizes the complexities of teachers’ learning experiences and processes, as well as the broader contexts of teaching and teacher education.   

We are grounded in a commitment to the practice, study, and transformation of teacher education in ways that forward and honor humanizing thinking and action. Doctoral students enjoy opportunities to work in and with the school's multiple teacher education programs and to collaborate with faculty, doctoral students, and other stakeholders (e.g., school partners; community organizations) in the critical design and study of these programs. Conducting research with members of this community provides additional opportunities to deepen understandings from coursework and to pose and pursue questions using innovative research methodologies and methods.

Prospective students interested in the Teacher Learning, Research & Practice program emphasis are encouraged, but not required, to combine TLRP with one of the other doctoral program emphases in the School of Education to achieve a particular disciplinary training. Admission to all our graduate programs is competitive and based on multiple criteria, including undergraduate academic record, scores on exams, letters of recommendation, personal statement, evidence of special accomplishments, and relevant past experience. Criteria are considered in the aggregate. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

Financial Support

All of our doctoral students are awarded generous funding packages. Stipends and grants cover tuition costs and provide experiential graduate assistantships that further prepare you for your future as a researcher, educator, and leader in the field. Fellowship and assistantship packages are awarded on a competitive basis and vary for each student, but all funding packages cover five years of full-time study. 

A typical package will include a total of a 50% appointment (~20hr/week) through a Graduate Research Assistantship and/or Teaching Assistantship, full tuition remission and a fellowship to assist with student fees, the majority of the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Student Health Gold Insurance Plan, and a stipend of approximately $21,400 per academic year. Please note that these figures are subject to change and summer funding is not guaranteed.

Admissions Requirements

Application requirements include:

  • A Personal Statement
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts (official transcripts are required after admission)
  • Optional GRE test score
  • TOEFL scores for international students
  • Application Fee ($60 domestic application/$80 international) along with the application

Admission to all our graduate programs is competitive and based on multiple criteria, including undergraduate academic record, letters of recommendation, personal statement, evidence of special accomplishments, and relevant past experience. In an effort to safeguard educational equity and access, the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder School of Education has adopted a test-optional policy for the GRE requirement for prospective doctoral applicants. Students may still submit GRE scores for consideration, which will be reviewed as a part of a holistic process. However, not submitting GRE scores will in no way make your application less competitive for admission to the School of Education. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

Deadline

  • December 1, domestic
  • November 15, international 

  For more information about courses and program requirements, .

We warmly invite you to apply for the Doctoral Mentorship Pathway Program for 2024-25

This program is designed to create a pathway for historically underrepresented and marginalized education scholars and practitioners who are considering doctoral studies in Fall 2025. We hope to use this program to make the sometimes mystifying process of applying to a PhD program more visible, to provide an opportunity for you to get to know our students and faculty, and participate in sessions where we’ll talk about how to apply and what the realities are for students of color studying in a predominantly white research institution. 

  Applications due Aug. 5—apply today!

Meet Our Faculty

Melissa Braaten

Associate Professor and Program ChairAssociate Dean for Undergraduate and Teacher Education
Teacher Learning, Research & PracticeSTEM Education

Sara Staley

Assistant ProfessorCo-Founder and Co-Director
Teacher Learning, Research & PracticeHumanities EducationA Queer Endeavor

Elizabeth Tetu

Assistant Teaching Professor

Program Chair

Jamy Stillman

Associate ProfessorChair of TLRP
Equity, Bilingualism & BiliteracyTeacher Learning, Research & Practice

Interested in our graduate programs?

Graduate students

We offer Colorado’s top-ranked graduate education in multiple program areas and would love to to provide you with relevant information about our programs. We look forward to learning about your graduate studies journey!

Fall 2023 Information Sessions

   School of Education Graduate Studies Preview Day (in-person)

Please join the School of Education for our Graduate Studies Preview Day on Saturday, Nov. 9. This program will be hosted in person and is open for all prospective Master's and PhD students. The program will include an overview of the application process and education program areas, breakout sessions with faculty by program area of interest, and a current graduate student panel for Q&A. Registration is required.