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Program Overview
Equips students to become leaders, faculty, and researchers at the forefront of mathematics education. A critical shortage of mathematics teachers and lagging student achievements call for an improved understanding of math learning and teaching across all grade levels.
Mathematics education is in crisis across our country. There is a critical shortage of teachers prepared to teach effectively in classrooms at all grade levels. From preschool through college, student achievement levels are lagging. At the same time, great headway is being made in understanding how children learn mathematical concepts. The PhD in Education and Human Development, Mathematics Education, prepares students to be a leader and changemaker in mathematics education.
In this concentration, PhD students will:
- Obtain knowledge on teacher learning and professional development designed to impact content knowledge and student-informed pedagogical practices in classrooms.
- Learn how to incorporate mixed research methods to answer research questions about interventions, and how they may support teacher and student learning.
- Use digital data in both the design of professional development interventions and the evaluation of teaching and learning. Thus, students will become experts in mathematics teaching, learning literature, and the promotion of new, research-based knowledge
This program is designed for those with aspirations to join an academic faculty for a career in higher education teaching and research. It helps PhD students become an expert in the field’s research literatures, contemporary policy/practice issues, and research methodologies while working in a close relationship with world-renowned faculty mentors. This program culminates in an original research dissertation. Courses and experiences will prepare students to design and conduct such a dissertation study and serve as a basis for becoming a career-long researcher.
- Take part in teaching and research experiences early and throughout your program
- Leverage opportunities to present, write and publish with your faculty to build your dossier
- Become involved with campus faculty activities
Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development
Students trust CU Denver to provide an education that will prepare them for excellence in their career as a faculty member or researcher. CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) is recognized for preparing leaders of distinction who value educational excellence and social justice. Additionally, SEHD is counted among U.S. News & World Report's “Best Graduate Schools,” making us one of the top education schools in the country.
Why the Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Human Development, Mathematics Education program at CU Denver?
Teaching- and Research-intensive Experiences
Throughout this program, students take part in teaching and research experiences. These include hands-on work with faculty and higher-ed teaching opportunities.
Personal Caring and Support
Faculty members collaborate with students to leverage learning opportunities. This includes presenting, writing, and publishing research, thus building students' dossier
Conduct a Dissertation Study
As part of course requirements, you will learn how to design and conduct research, including work on your dissertation study.
Program Description
Mathematics education is in crisis across our country. There is a critical shortage of teachers prepared to teach effectively in classrooms at all grade levels. From preschool through college, student achievement levels are lagging. At the same time, great headway is being made in understanding how children learn mathematical concepts. The PhD in Education and Human Development, Mathematics Education, prepares students to be a leader and changemaker in mathematics education.
In this concentration, PhD students will:
- Obtain knowledge on teacher learning and professional development designed to impact content knowledge and student-informed pedagogical practices in classrooms.
- Learn how to incorporate mixed research methods to answer research questions about interventions, and how they may support teacher and student learning.
- Use digital data in both the design of professional development interventions and the evaluation of teaching and learning. Thus, students will become experts in mathematics teaching, learning literature, and the promotion of new, research-based knowledge
This program is designed for those with aspirations to join an academic faculty for a career in higher education teaching and research. It helps PhD students become an expert in the field’s research literatures, contemporary policy/practice issues, and research methodologies while working in a close relationship with world-renowned faculty mentors. This program culminates in an original research dissertation. Courses and experiences will prepare students to design and conduct such a dissertation study and serve as a basis for becoming a career-long researcher.
- Take part in teaching and research experiences early and throughout your program
- Leverage opportunities to present, write and publish with your faculty to build your dossier
- Become involved with campus faculty activities
Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development
Students trust CU Denver to provide an education that will prepare them for excellence in their career as a faculty member or researcher. CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) is recognized for preparing leaders of distinction who value educational excellence and social justice. Additionally, SEHD is counted among U.S. News & World Report's “Best Graduate Schools,” making us one of the top education schools in the country.
Why the Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Human Development, Mathematics Education program at CU Denver?
Teaching- and Research-intensive Experiences
Throughout this program, students take part in teaching and research experiences. These include hands-on work with faculty and higher-ed teaching opportunities.
Personal Caring and Support
Faculty members collaborate with students to leverage learning opportunities. This includes presenting, writing, and publishing research, thus building students' dossier
Conduct a Dissertation Study
As part of course requirements, you will learn how to design and conduct research, including work on your dissertation study.
Program Features
Apply by January 1 to start in August.
Application Deadline
Fall
Starting Semester
Available
Funding
Useful Links
Learn more and apply
Learn more about the program and apply
Student Testimonials
The courses I've taken in the Mathematics Education PhD program have provided me with a foundation of knowledge that I'll carry with me into my future career. The faculty at CU Denver have continually encouraged and supported me in achieving my goals. Recently, I've been working as a Graduate Research Assistant on an NSF-funded research project (ITsCRITiCAL) led by my advisor, Dr. Heather Johnson. Working on this project has allowed me to engage in qualitative and quantitative research related to my interests in the field of mathematics education. During my time as a graduate student at CU Denver, I've had countless opportunities to grow as an educator and researcher.
Robert Knurek
PhD in Education and Human Development, Mathematics Education concentration (May 2024)
Since starting the program in Fall of 2020, I have been extremely pleased with my decision to join CU Denver! The inclusive setting and support is consistent, whether it comes from the Chancellor, Dean, my professors, or my advisor. I feel welcome in all of my classes, whether they are face-to-face or hybrid. Collaboration with my peers revolves around similar goals and diverse interests. I am so grateful I chose CU Denver as my place to explore and further my education.
Kristin Whitmore
PhD in Education and Human Development, Mathematics Education concentration (May 2025)Alumni Success Stories
After graduating from CU Denver, I got a job as a tenure-track assistant professor of education at Stetson University, where I am the math specialist for the Department of Education. Academically, I have been working to enhance the math content and requirements for Elementary Education majors. This work has been twofold: to build our future teachers’ mathematical content knowledge, and to promote robust pedagogical knowledge based on developmentally appropriate, equitable instructional practices. All this work is the direct result of what I learned during my PhD program.
While I learned a great deal from my coursework during my program, it was my time as a graduate research assistant and project manager that most impacted my current work. Being part of three NSF grants: 1) Student-Adaptive Pedagogy for Elementary Teachers: Promoting Multiplicative and Fractional Reasoning to Improve Students' Preparedness for Middle School Mathematics, 2) Implementing Techtivities to Promote Students’ Covariational Reasoning in College Algebra, and 3) Implementing Techtivities to Promote Covariational Reasoning and Instructional Transformation in College Algebra, promoted my own mathematical content knowledge and provided me with the foundational skills necessary to make purposeful, systemic changes in my current program.
During my first year at Stetson, I was awarded two grants, one for research of children’s durational reasoning and one to work with practicing elementary teachers on their mathematical knowledge for teaching. Additionally, I have worked to develop a department improvement plan for mathematical instruction to support our state accreditation. I truly feel that without the experiences I had during my time at CU Denver, I would not feel prepared to take on such tasks as a new faculty member.
Amy Smith
PhD in Education and Human Development, Mathematics Education concentration
(May 2021)
Stetson University
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