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Ph.D. Program PhotoAcademics - Ph.D.

Ph.D. Program

Program Overview

The Ph.D. in Sustainability Education

Prescott College offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education with a concentration in Sustainability Education. Sustainability Education focuses on global citizenship and promotes environmental responsibility. This low-residency, four-year program combines expansive interdisciplinary inquiry with intense individual research and practice. The Prescott College Ph.D. Program follows a cohort-based learning model with ongoing dialogue between students and faculty. Cohort symposia and colloquia provide opportunities for collaboration, interdisciplinary learning, presentation, research, and teaching about topics and issues related to the doctoral student's programs of study.

This highly selective, innovative and forward-thinking program is primarily designed for adults with at least three years of relevant professional work experience. The program aims to foster an informed, involved citizenry with the necessary social and scientific literacy, commitment and creative problem-solving skills to engage in responsible, cooperative action towards a sustainable future. Prospective doctoral students should have significant experience in their proposed individual focus areas. This life and work experience may include educational administration, teaching, research, writing, consulting, business, communications, community development, advocacy, public relations, policy development and analysis, politics, or any number of other possibilities.

The Prescott College Ph.D. Program in Education views education broadly as social learning that occurs in settings that are both formal (educational institutions, for example) and no-formal (such as families, community events, media, and businesses). The term “education” is considered to mean both the act or practice of educating or being educated and the study of education as a process.

Education for sustainability is the act or practice of learning how to achieve global and local sustainable communities. It is a life-long, individual, and social learning progression that challenges the dominant ecological, psychological, economic and social paradigms. The desired outcome is an informed, involved citizenry with the social and scientific literacy, commitment, and creative problem-solving skills to engage in responsible individual and cooperative actions toward a sustainable society. Achieving sustainability in all dimensions of human existence depends on adopting an educational paradigm that manifest and supports change toward a sustainable, secure society. The Ph.D. Program strives to contribute to synergistic learning and change in consciousness, education, culture, and ultimately, society.

Individualized Areas of Study

Within the central theme of sustainability education, students create individualized proposals for formal coursework and a practicum based on an educational vision. Finally, Ph.D. students undertake an action-oriented dissertation, demonstrating passionate scholarship in the sustainability education niche.

“The Ph.D. program in Sustainability Education is best suited for students seeking a different kind of doctoral experience; one that is collegial, action-oriented, and student-directed.” – Rick Medrick, Ed.D., Ph.D. Program Director

“I selected Prescott College over other Ph.D. programs because of the conceptual and ethical framing with regard to sustainability. Prescott College takes a stand on sustainability and doesn’t try to pretend that this concept is value-neutral. I also selected Prescott because the program would allow me to continue to work at my college and live in my chosen community. I’m too far along in my career to want to give these things up.” – Tina Evans, Associate Professor, General Studies, and Chair, Environmental Studies, Fort Lewis College

International Students

Prescott College welcomes interest from international students. Please click here for frequently asked questions regarding Prescott College and our program as they pertain to international students.

Program Details

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Prescott College - For the Liberal Arts and the Environment