Application Deadlines
  • January 7 (PhD priority)
  • February 15 (Phd final)

Shape the future of engineering education. 

Our PhD program seeks to improve the education of engineers through research, project-based learning paradigms, and integrated design principles. Through our collaboration with the School of Education and other discipline-based education research groups at CU Boulder, our flexible curriculum blends technical expertise with education outcomes. 

The program is designed for students with a background in engineering. As a candidate you can expect to: 

  • Conduct and direct research in engineering education. 
  • Develop, review and critique research designs that study engineering education. 
  • Learn to effectively teach engineering subjects.
  • Design and assess engineering courses. 
  • Address critical issues facing engineering education. 

Our Faculty Affiliates

Structure of the PhD Program

The 60-credit-hour program includes: 

Admissions Requirements

The application process runs through the CU Graduate School. It requires: 

  • Transcripts
    • Unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended can be provided in the application
    • If you receive and offer of admission and confirm your intent to enroll, you will be required to submit official transcripts
  • Three letters of reference
  • A personal statement of academic and research interests

    • Please limit to 3 pages; Why do you want to attend CU Boulder? What are your professional goals and aspects of your background / interest that demonstrate your aptitude and motivation for an ENED doctoral degree?

    • Please refer to specific CU faculty in IDE or CU faculty among our affiliates who you would be interested in working with and/or engineering education research topics of interest.

  • GRE scores are optional
  • You need at least a 3.00 undergraduate grade point average or a 3.25 grade point average in graduate coursework
  • For international PhD applicants the English proficiency requirements have been established by the CU Graduate School

 

In the news

green hills
Research Briefly: Instructors’ Perspectives on Enhancing Sustainability’s Diffusion into Mechanical Engineering Courses

Jan. 29, 2024

Teaching assistant professor Joan Tisdale and Professor Angela Bielefeldt recently published a paper in Sustainability on increasing the integration of sustainability topics in mechanical engineering courses.

Noah and Valerie
Science-education experts recognized for ground-breaking work

Oct. 26, 2023

Engineering Education faculty affiliate Noah Finkelstein of physics, along with Valerie Otero of education, have won the 2023 Svend Pedersen Award and Lecture from Stockholm University.

Joany Tisdale against the backdrop of a green to blue gradient and drawn earth with stylized energy sources
Study offers roadmap for integrating sustainability into mechanical engineering curricula

Oct. 13, 2023

A comprehensive study highlights the promising integration of sustainability within mechanical engineering (ME) programs across universities, offering a roadmap for educators aspiring to emphasize its principles in their curricula.

four students gesture at a research poster with the title Basketball or Swimming
Researchers at CU Boulder land NSF Award for air and soil quality education

Sept. 19, 2023

Researchers at CU Boulder have received a prestigious NSF Award to teach students in rural K-12 schools around Colorado about air and soil quality monitoring.

Jessica Leeker, Ben Weihrauch, Nick Stites and Janet Yowell with ASEE conference logo
ASEE conference highlights engineering education leadership at CU Boulder

June 30, 2023

Out of numerous presentations and posters, three best-in-conference awards were claimed by College of Engineering and Applied Science educators.

Photo by Eliott Reyna on Unsplash of a girl reading a book
CU Boulder to offer PhD in engineering education starting in ’24-25 school year

June 22, 2023

A new PhD program in engineering education will be offered at the University of Colorado Boulder beginning in the 2024-2025 academic school year, allowing students to pursue research and learning opportunities while strengthening the undergraduate engineering program. [External link]

Seed grant section
New seed grants from the Engineering Education and AI-Augmented Learning research theme will support range of topics

June 22, 2023

The Engineering Education and AI-Augmented Learning Interdisciplinary Research Theme, co-directed by Angela Bielefeldt awarded multiple seed grants this spring to help spur research teaming in the college and boost early projects with the high potential for societal impact.