Prevention and Intervention Studies (Ph.D. in Education concentration)

Prevention and Intervention Studies is a concentration within the Ph.D. in Education. The concentration focuses on issues related to risk, resilience, prevention, and intervention to increase positive academic and social-behavioral outcomes for prek-12 children and their families. Experiences are designed to prepare candidates to assume positions in teacher education, prek-12 schools, and local, state, or federal agencies. Candidates study and conduct research on risk and protective influences on development, as well as on evidence-based interventions to promote academic achievement and positive social behaviors in school. Potential candidates include special educators, classroom teachers, curriculum coordinators, administrators, and counselors who are committed to the goal of improving outcomes for preK-12 students who are at-risk for academic or social-behavioral difficulties. Study in this area may be of particular interest to individuals involved with design, implementation or evaluation of Response to Intervention in school or early childhood settings. Applicants must have a prior master’s or C.A.S. degree in an educational field relevant to their intended area of research and prior experience working in preK-12 schools.

Program experiences take place within cohorts to enable students to experience directly the benefits of collaborative learning, and to model how the complex, real-world problems faced by schools can be addressed through collaboration among professionals who view education through different theoretical and practical lenses. A unique feature of the program is that students are part of two cohorts: a within-area cohort comprising individuals pursuing the same concentration within the Ph.D. in Education, and a cross-area cohort comprising individuals with different concentrations. The dual cohort model fosters integration of multiple perspectives while at the same time, enabling students to develop in-depth expertise within a focal area. Cohorts begin periodically depending on demand and availability of resources (cohort beginning in 2012-2013).