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Doctorate in Engineering and Computing Education

Engineering education research and computing education research primarily focuses on understanding how people learn engineering and computing respectively and how to improve instruction to ensure universal accessibility of the field to up and coming engineers that want to make an impact.

Highlights

  • Evidence-based instruction tailored to STEM education
  • Opportunities to strengthen and support new engineers
  • Highly individualized curriculum for a deep dive in research
  • GRE not required for admission
  • STEM-designated Program

Graduates of this program become leaders in research and teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels. They can work in colleges and universities, industry or government.

Students in the program experience a rigorous, hands-on learning environment within a supportive academic community. They develop critical-thinking skills to tackle 21st-century challenges, learn from world-class faculty who are leading scholars in their fields and gain expertise in evidence-based teaching practices.

View this program in the University Catalog

Course Outcomes

The Ph.D. in Engineering and Computing Education program curriculum immerses you in the science and leadership behind engineering education:

  • Engineering and computing education
  • Engineering pedagogy
  • Research methods and statistics
  • STEM research seminars

Areas of Specialization

In the Ph.D. in Engineering and Computing Education program, you must complete five courses from a chosen specialization, which can include:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Engineering Management
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Mechanical and Materials Engineering
computing-education

Program Information

  • Application Requirements
    • Submit the FIU Graduate Admission Application.
    • Official transcripts of all previously earned college or university credits
    • A statement of research interests and goals
    • Three letters of recommendation in the forms provided by the department
    • Resume or CV
    • A bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, computing or a closely related field. Degrees must have been earned at a regionally accredited university.
    • An applicant with a bachelor’s degree must have a GPA score of 3.0/4.0 or higher in either the overall undergraduate degree or the last 60 credit hours.
    • An applicant with a master’s degree must have a GPA of at least 3.3/4.0 in the master's program.
    • Approval of the departmental graduate committee.

    Credentials of all other applicants will be examined by the Graduate Admission Committee on a case-by-case basis. In addition to the departmental requirements, all students must satisfy the University's Graduate Policies and Procedures.

    For all Admissions Requirements, please consult the University Catalog.

  • Funding

    Ph.D. applicants may be considered for teaching assistantships, research assistantships and fellowships depending on qualifications and performance within the program. For more information regarding funding opportunities and deadlines, please visit the University Graduate School Funding page.

  • International Students

    International students should refer to the FIU International Admissions site for additional instructions on how to apply or enroll as a first-time or transferring international student.

  • STEM Designation

    The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering is a STEM-designated program. After program completion, international students have the opportunity of Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows students to work within the U.S. for up to 36 months (one year of OPT + two years of STEM OPT) for STEM designated programs.

Requirements for Awarding of a Degree

Students must demonstrate graduate knowledge acquisition in several incremental stages to be awarded a Ph.D. in Engineering and Computing Education.

Successful completion of all course and credit requirements, as well as all these steps, will culminate in the granting of the Ph.D. degree.

For information on degree, credit and other requirements, please consult the University Catalog.

  • Comprehensive Exam

    This examination serves as an evaluation of student preparedness for doctoral study. This examination assesses a student’s understanding of the field of engineering and computing education and the major theoretical concepts, applied issues, and means of inquiry for undertaking research in the field.

    The student must pass the Comprehensive Exam by the end of the seventh semester (excluding summers) in the program if they were admitted without a master's degree or by the end of the fifth semester if admitted with a master's or the equivalent 15 credit hours.

    Two attempts are permitted. Any exception needs to be approved by the Graduate Committee.

  • Assembling a Dissertation Committee

    Choosing an Advisor

    The student will choose a faculty from the College of Engineering and Computing as their dissertation advisor. A co-advisor could be selected from within the College or from outside.

    Assembling a Committee

    The students will assemble a Dissertation Committee of at least four faculty members—including Major advisors. Two committee members must be ESM faculty, or ESM-affiliated faculty and one must be FIU faculty from outside of ESM.

  • Presentation and Submission of a Dissertation Proposal

    The student will present and defend their plan for dissertation study. The purpose of the proposal is to provide an opportunity for the student to demonstrate their abilities to scope and plan a research project and communicate that plan both in writing and orally.

    The proposal will be submitted to at least three members of the candidate's dissertation committee (at least two of whom will be from ESM or the STEM Transformation Institute). The candidate presents their accomplishments and proposed research and answer questions from the committee and others in the audience.

    Upon completion of the required core courses, the Comprehensive Exam, and the dissertation proposal the student advances to Candidacy.

  • Submission and Defense of Dissertation

    A dissertation is required of all candidates for the PhD degree and must conform to the format outlined in the Regulations for Thesis and Dissertation Preparation Manual available to students online from the FIU Graduate School. Students must complete a minimum of 15 dissertation credits.

    After submission of the dissertation and completion of all other required work for the PhD degree, the candidate will be given a final oral thesis defense examination by the Dissertation Committee.

  • Satisfaction of the Teaching Requirement

    The ability to teach at the university level is an important skill that should be encouraged in all graduate students. For this reason, students will be required to take the EGS6055 Foundations of Engineering and Computing Teaching and Learning course prior to candidacy and participate in a mentored teaching practicum for one semester during their Ph.D. studies in order to gain exposure to the classroom or laboratory teaching environment.

    Students with teaching experience from previous graduate programs may petition to waive the teaching requirement, in which case the three-credit course should be replaced with an alternate course. Waivers will be granted at the discretion of the Graduate Program Director.

Apply to FIU

Interested students are encouraged to apply to FIU as early as possible. Applicants must submit transcripts from all schools attended, as well as any other supporting documentation required by their program of interest.

Apply