12 Credits

The core consists of four courses: an introductory course to the program plus one course in each of the three concentrations. These courses will acquaint students with how diversity can be conceived and studied. The core is taken as a cohort, and courses are taught by full time faculty from the three concentrations. These courses are as follows:

• EDF 755 Educational Studies in Diverse Populations: Theories of Inquiry: 3 credit hours
• EDC 750 Critical Pedagogical Studies in Diverse Populations: 3 credits
• EDF 765 Context, Culture, and Policy Proseminar: 3 credits
• CHHS 742 Health Disparities in Diverse Populations: 3 credits

15 credits

Research Courses (to be taken after research prerequisite courses and with or after core courses)

• EPR 596 Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Education Research: 3 credits
• EPR 609 Statistical Methods and Research in Education: 3 credits
• EPR 696 Qualitative Research: Inquiry and Analysis: 3 credits
• EPR 710 Computer Applications and Advanced Statistical Methods: 3 credits
• EPR 792 Mixed Methods Approaches to Educational Research: 3 credits
• GRD 717 Principles of Scientific Integrity: 3 credits

12-36 Credits

Once the prerequisite coursework has been satisfied, you will follow an interdisciplinary program of study in one of the three concentrations:

• Pedagogical Studies
• Context, Culture, and Policy
• Health Disparities

Individual student-appropriate coursework will be selected in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Reading, Health Education, Kinesiology, Special Education, English as a Second Language, Educational Foundations, Counselor Education, and Educational Psychology and Research.

Upon receiving approval from their Advisors in a given concentration, you may take up to 12 credits in interdisciplinary courses in related fields, e.g., sociology, anthropology, history, English, philosophy, cultural studies, women’s studies, American studies, African American studies, etc.

24 Credits

Approval of the dissertation proposal and admission to candidacy must be recommended by your Advisor and approved by the Program Director, and the Graduate School Dean.

• Dissertation Seminar: 3 credit hours
• Dissertation Research – (Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy.) 12 credit hours. Note: one semester with at least 6 credit hours is required
• 9 credits of directed dissertation research or additional research courses specific to intended dissertation

Admission to the ESDP program is two-fold: Admission to the Ph.D program and admission to the concentration.

• Prior to beginning coursework - You must have unconditional admission to the UAB Graduate School and to the ESDP program.
• After completing core courses (and perhaps some of the research courses) - The core faculty along with the concentration faculty will discuss each student's performance and viability and will make determinations about concentration admission.

The application deadline is March 1 for cohorts beginning the fall semester of that year.

Applying for admission to the ESDP program begins with completing an online application through the UAB Graduate School.

• Complete and submit online degree-seeking application for admission to the Graduate School
• Submit professional resume/CV and statement of research interests and professional goals (directions for the Admissions Essay is in the Admission Requirements section below)
• Pay application fee online with credit card or debit card (mailing a check will severely delay the application process)
  • Domestic: $50
  • International: please check graduate school website for current fee
• Ask the individuals from whom you request references to respond online to the form that they will receive via email from the Graduate School (NOTE: This form is sent automatically to your references by UAB as soon as you click submit on your degree-seeking application).
• Request transcripts from all prior institutions to be sent to UAB including institutions where you might have taken only one course (information on how to do this is provided in Apply Yourself). The preferred email addresses for electronic submission of transcripts are as follows: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you have international transcripts, you should send a copy and then bring the original transcript with you.
• Submit official GRE or MAT test score.
• Submit official TOEFL or IELTS test score (for international applicants only) NOTE: International applicants must also meet all requirements stipulated at http://www.uab.edu/graduate/international. This includes a mailing your Financial Affidavit of Support

The following indicators are considered by the Doctoral Program Admissions Committee when determining program admission:

• Graduate degree (minimum of a master's) in a related field
• Professional experience - preferred at least 3 years (applicants for the Pedagogical Studies concentration must have appropriate teaching experience)
• Professional resume/CV
• Admission Essay - In approximately two single-spaced pages, please explain why you are applying to the ESDP. When writing this statement, you might consider some of the following questions: What life experiences led to your decision to apply and what is it about the ESDP that attracts you to this program? What are your research interests and career goals? How will the ESDP help you pursue your research interests and accomplish your career goals? As determined by your aspiring concentration area, please include citations related to diversity and education.
• MAT or GRE scores (score at 50th percentile or higher)
• GPA (minimum of 3.25 on previous graduate work)
• Three recommendations/letters of reference
• Presentations at state, regional and national conferences
• Publications
• Professional involvement
• Interview with faculty