The School of Educational Studies (SES) at CGU provides students with the flexibility to design individual programs that will best support the achievement of personal goals. In consultation with faculty, students tailor programs of study to their individual background, interests, and future goals. The program offers opportunities for students to focus their research and study in the following areas:  

• Higher Education/Student Affairs 
• K12 Education and Equity
• Urban Leadership (cohort program)

Students may also design a more-customized program of study that crosses concentrations and thematic areas within education.

University Policies

Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.

Admissions Requirements

Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.

Advising

Doctoral students in the SES are provided with advising resources to facilitate progress toward degree completion.

Faculty Advisor. Upon admission, students are assigned a faculty advisor based upon interests expressed in the individual’s application for admission. Advisors assist students in selecting courses and planning a program of study. As student interests change and develop during coursework, a different faculty member may be identified as the advisor. In such an event, the SES Office should be notified using the Change of Advisor form. Students are expected to schedule a meeting with their faculty advisor each semester during the advising period prior to registration.

Degree Requirements

The requirements listed below are for Education PhD students. Requirements for students in the Joint PhD program with San Diego State University may be found here.

Coursework. Students in the doctoral program must complete 72 units of coursework. A minimum of 32 units must come from courses offered in the SES.

Required Courses. Students in the doctoral program (except for Urban Leadership cohort program) are required to enroll in the following course:

• EDUC 520 – Introduction to Educational Research, must be completed during the student’s first year of coursework. This 4-unit course is typically offered in the Fall semester only.

Minimum Cumulative GPA. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain in good academic standing.

Transfer Credit. The University’s policy on transfer credit applies, with the following exceptions: 

• The SES permits the transfer of up to 20 semester units from prior graduate work completed outside of CGU, with advisor approval. 
• Students with a completed degree from CGU may apply previous relevant CGU units toward the PhD, with advisor approval, and subject to the following limits:
  • Up to 32 units for students with a completed CGU Master’s degree in Education (non-Teacher Education MA/Credential).
  • Up to 24 units for students with a completed CGU Master’s degree in Teacher Education (MA/Credential) or in another department.

Transdisciplinary Studies Coursework. Students must complete 4 units of Transdisciplinary Studies (TNDY) coursework. Students may select from among several 2-unit and 4-unit courses that are available each term. See the Academic Policies - Doctoral Degree Regulations section of the Bulletin for details.

Research Tools. Three research tools courses are required to ensure proficiency in the research methodologies most likely to be used in the student’s dissertation. Research tools must be completed with a grade of B+ or better. Research tools must be recorded using the form provided by the Registrar and submitted to the SES Office for processing. Accomplishment of each milestone is recorded on the student’s transcript. Additional information on research tools can be found in the SES PhD Student Handbook.

Written Qualifying Examinations. Three written qualifying exams (also known as quals) are required to build the student’s proficiency and knowledge in their area of research. Examples of quals include pilot studies, literature reviews, and mock dissertation proposals. Each qual should be supervised by a different SES faculty member, and once completed and approved, must be submitted to the SES Office for processing. Accomplishment of each milestone is recorded on the student’s transcript. Additional information on the written qualifying exams can be found in the SES PhD Student Handbook.

Dissertation Process

Dissertation Committees. Students are required to select three committee members, with at least one designated as the committee chair, for their research and dissertation. This selection must be recorded using the form provided by the Registrar, and submitted to the SES Office for processing. Policies and procedures are detailed in the Academic Policies - Doctoral Degree Regulations section of the Bulletin.

Oral Qualifying Examination. The student is responsible for contacting the SES Office to review and verify that the student has completed all degree requirements. Once they have received this confirmation, the student can proceed with scheduling the Oral Qualifying Exam by completing the Request to Schedule Oral Qualifying Exam and Proposal Defense form no less than three weeks in advance of their requested defense date. The Oral Qualifying Exam is administered by the student’s dissertation committee, and commonly takes place on the same day as the Proposal Defense. The SES Office will record completion of the Oral Qualifying Exam using the Qualifying Exams Approval for Doctoral Students form provided by the Registrar. Accomplishment of this milestone is recorded on the student’s transcript.

Dissertation Proposal Defense. The student is responsible for contacting the SES Office to review and verify that the student has completed all degree requirements. Once they have received this confirmation, the student can proceed with scheduling the (Dissertation) Proposal Defense by completing and submitting the Request to Schedule Oral Qualifying Exam and Proposal Defense form no less than three weeks in advance of their requested defense date. The Proposal Defense is administered by the student’s dissertation committee, and commonly takes place on the same day as the Oral Qualifying Exam. The SES Office will record completion of the Proposal Defense using the Advancement to Candidacy form provided by the Registrar. Accomplishment of this milestone is recorded on the student’s transcript.

Institutional Review Board. The University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) works closely with students and dissertation committee chairs throughout the development of the dissertation proposal. The responsibility of the IRB is to ensure that correct procedures for review of research methodology are followed. The IRB seeks to protect the rights and welfare of individuals recruited for, or participating in, research conducted by faculty or students under the auspices of CGU. Regardless of funding support, all research with human subjects must be reviewed by the IRB for the protection of human subjects in compliance with federal guidelines.

Final Dissertation Defense. The final dissertation defense is administered by the student’s dissertation committee once the student has completed their final draft and received committee approval to schedule the defense. Students are required to notify the SES Office no less than three weeks in advance of their requested defense date by completing and submitting the Request for Dissertation Defense Announcement form provided by the Registrar. Upon successful completion of the dissertation defense, students must submit the final, committee-approved dissertation to the ProQuest ETD Administrator by the Registrar’s posted deadline for the respective academic year.

Joint Doctoral Program

CGU offers students the opportunity to earn the doctorate in Education through a joint program with San Diego State University (SDSU). For information, refer to the program section for the joint doctoral program with SDSU.

Master’s Degree Along the Way to the PhD

CGU offers students the option to earn a Master’s degree along the way to the doctoral degree. SES students qualify by meeting all the following criteria:

• Enrollment in the doctoral program with the intention of completing 72 units of coursework at CGU
• Completion of 32 units of study
• Completion of one approved PhD qualifying exam

• Completion of the Intent to Receive a Degree/Certificate form in the semester in which the MA degree is requested to be conferred