Interdisciplinary Studies

Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Education and Human Resource Studies

This interdisciplinary specialization (IDS) in the School of Education gives students the opportunity to choose an interdisciplinary concentration from among the broad range of programs offered at Colorado State University. It is designed for individuals who demonstrate a solid commitment to education and a complementary discipline. Each student enrolled in this specialization completes the core doctoral courses, specialization courses within the School of Education, and a concentration from another discipline.

Recent examples of interdisciplinary specializations include bridges between the School of Education and the departments of Construction Management, Design and Merchandising, Food Science and Human Nutrition, Health and Exercise Science, Human Development and Family Studies, Occupational Therapy, Social Work and departments in other Colleges. This program has produced university professors and other educational, clinical, and administrative professionals in employed throughout the United States.

Program Objective

  • To provide comprehensive and progressive curricula combining education and the student's complementary discipline.
  • To help students identify, acquire, and stay current in the knowledge they will need to serve as leaders in their fields.
  • To help students develop and sustain the personal characteristics and competencies necessary for success in their fields.
  • To provide students with the preparation needed to lead and teach in postsecondary institutions, industrial settings, and other organizations.
  • To conduct research that will expand the knowledge base in their field of study.

Requirements for Applicants

The purpose of the IDS program is to enable students to blend educational coursework with interests in other discipline(s). Because this is a unique and individually designed program, you are required to:

  1. Identify a co-adviser who will guide your work in your concentration area.
  2. Identify a potential School of Education (SOE) adviser who is willing to serve (at least initially) as your major adviser.
  3. With your co-advisers develop a preliminary Plan of Study (SOE-26) that shows the coursework you anticipate taking from both the SOE and from your outside discipline. The SOE 26 must be signed by both co-advisers and included with your application materials.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a master's degree from an accredited institution. They must also have relevant professional experience and should possess leadership potential.

An individualized program of study is developed cooperatively by the student, adviser, and graduate committee. The student's background and experience are considered when developing the program of study. (Note: There is no foreign language requirement for this degree).

View Admission Procedure and Forms

Total Semester Credits

Approximately 90 semester credits of course work beyond the bachelor's degree is required. This includes 30 credits of research (15 credits of course work and 15 credits of dissertation). A maximum of 30 credits from the master's degree plus a maximum of 10 additional credits of graduate level courses taken after completion of the master's degree may be transferred into the program. The remaining credits are split evenly between courses in education and human resource studies and the chosen concentration.

Prerequisite Competencies

Each student should have completed course work or demonstrate competence in research methods, statistics and the other areas listed under prerequisites. If the graduate committee determines the student does not have a sufficient background in any of these areas, the committee may prescribe additional course work. Courses taken to meet these prerequisite requirements cannot be used to meet program requirements.

Program of Study

Prerequisites

EDUC 551 Multicultural and Special Populations
3
EDRM 600 Introduction to Research Methods
3

Required Research Core (30 Credits Minimum)

EDRM 704 Qualitative Research
3
EDRM 700 Quantitative Research Methods
3
EDRM 799V Dissertation
12-15
 
 
In addition select 9-12 credits from:
EDRM 606 Measurement Concepts                                                 
EDRM 666 Program Evaluation                                                     
EDRM 705 Qualitative Data Analysis
3
EDRM 708 Narrative Inquiry
3
EDRM 711 Ethnographic Research
3
EDRM 707 Quantitative Data Collection Methods and Analysis
3
EDRM 706 Analysis of Relationships
3
EDUC 786V Practicum
3
EDRM 792AV Seminar-Data Analysis/Interpretation
3
EDRM 792BV Seminar-Proposal Development
3

Required Specialization Course Work (15 Credits Minimum)

EDUC 709 Leadership Development
3
Plus 12 graduate credits from the School of Education. A minimum of which 6 credits must be 700 level. The Specialization course work must demonstrate a strong commitment to Education and Human Resource Studies.

Required Interdisciplinary Concentration Course Work (15 Credits Minimum)

Advanced course work, at least 9 of which must be from a department or departments outside of the School of Education.

WICHE Designation

The Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) has designated the School's doctoral degree to be a Regional Graduate Program. This designation, approved by the state of Colorado, permits citizens of other western states to pay resident tuition rates under certain conditions. Consult school officers for details.

Contact Information

Program Chair

Dr. Carole J. Makela

School of Education

227 Education

970-491-5141

makela@cahs.colostate.edu

Application information

Kathy Lucas

Graduate Programs Office

School of Education

111 Education

970-491-1963

kplucas@cahs.colostate.edu