PhD Studies

PhD studies are for those students who have an outstanding academic record, with an MA degree in the thesis track, who have proven their ability to conduct independent research who are interested in conducting further research in education and related disciplines.

To earn the PhD degree, the student must conduct original and independent research and submit this as a PhD thesis, edited and styled as accepted in the scientific community. The student must also exhibit proficiency in the relevant background material and professional literature, and successfully complete all supplementary studies required, as well as all other requirements as per university research student regulations.

 

PhD Tracks

The School of Education offers two PhD tracks:

• The regular track
• The direct track

For additional information, please contact

Prof. Michal tabach, Chairperson, Division Research Student Committee   

Iris Gorovitz – Secretary

 

Admissions and Registration

1. Regular track

1.1 Conditions for applying for studies in the regular track

Students who have completed their MA in Education with a minimum grade average of 85, and who received a minimum grade of 85 on their thesis may approach School of Education’s research students committee requesting admission as a Stage I research student. Please note—it is imperative that all candidates locate an advisor from the academic faculty before beginning the application process.

Candidates from other departments must comply with the conditions noted above in their respective departments. In addition, these candidates may be required to complete supplementary courses in addition to the curriculum, to be determined by the university committee and the intended advisor, depending on the individual student’s academic and professional background.

Applicants required to complete supplementary studies will be accepted as candidates for research studies.

Please note—the PhD thesis may be written in English, but supplementary and PhD courses are conducted in Hebrew.

 

1.2 Students with an MA degree from a foreign university

To check whether or not the student complies with minimum admissions requirements as defined in item 1.1, MA graduates from foreign universities should approach Ms. Gali Ravizon, in charge of equivalency of foreign certificates, at the registration center,
Tel: 03-640-8317.

After equivalency approval has been granted for both the grade average and the thesis grade, the candidate may continue the process and look for an advisor from among the senior faculty of the School of Education.

 

1.3 Finding an Advisor for the PhD thesis 
Prior to registration, PhD candidates are responsible for locating an advisor from among the faculty of the School of Education authorized to act as a PhD advisor (a senior lecturer in the academic track). The candidate may request to work with two advisors. In this case, only one of the advisors need be from the School of Education. The advisor’s agreement is a prerequisite for registration. Please see link for list of School of Education Researchers and their fields of interest.

 

1.4 Research in the workplace 
As per university research student regulations, administrative and technical staff may not register for studies in the unit where they are employed. Exceptional cases will be brought before the rector. In addition, the university research students committee will evaluate a candidate’s (non-university employee) request to conduct research in his or her place or employment.

 

1.5 Documents required to apply for admission

PhD applicants must submit the following documents to the research students office at the School of Education:

• Original transcripts and certificates from BA and MA studies
• Written and signed letter from the advisor ascertaining his or her agreement to advise the student
• CV
• A first draft and title of the topic the candidate wishes to research (no more than one page long).
• A university registration form which can be filled out only after receiving permission from the committee secretary.

 

The candidacy for PhD studies will be raised in the division research students committee and in the university research students committee. The decision to accept or reject the candidate will be based on the candidate’s qualifications and the committee members’ own judgement.

 

2. Studies in the Direct Track

2.1 Applying for the Direct Track

This track is for students with an outstanding academic record, who will be able to devote the majority of their time to research and actively participate in the school’s academic activities.

Candidates with a BA in Education or other fields relevant to the research thesis, with a minimum final grade of 90, may apply to this track.

Candidates will be required to register for MA studies in Education and complete 18 credit hours within one year with a minimum grade average of 90. Students will be required to write one seminar paper, in which they will prove their ability to conduct original independent research. A minimum grade of 95 must be achieved. On completion of these tasks, the student must receive written agreement from a faculty member authorized to act as advisor for the PhD thesis.

Item 1.4 above pertains to students in the direct track as well.

 

2.2 Documents required to apply for the direct track

Students wishing to apply for the direct track must submit the following documents to the students office:

• Original certificates and transcripts of BA and MA studies
• Written agreement by an authorized faculty member to act as advisor, along with a detailed recommendation specifying the student’s abilities and his or her suitability to PhD studies.
• Two letters of recommendation from faculty members of the School of Education (in addition to the intended advisor); the committee may approach additional faculty members to request a recommendation.
• A first draft and title of the topic the candidate wishes to research (no more than one page long).
• A letter of intentions and goals regarding studies in the direct track *. Guidelines for preparing the letter can be found at the end of these regulations.
• A university registration form which can be filled out only after receiving permission from the committee secretary.

 

The candidacy for PhD studies in the direct track will be raised in the division research students committee and in the university research students committee. The decision to accept or reject the candidate will be based on the candidate’s outstanding qualifications (additional academic studies or research achievements) and the committee members’ judgement.

 

* Letter of intentions and goals as per the guidelines below:

a. Please detail your abilities and experience in the field of research you wish to specialize in during studies in the direct track. You can use the points below. In no more than 900 words, please present a focused, concise, and clear document.

b. Discuss your BA studies, and explain if and how they are related to your planned continued studies. Make a special note of those topics that sparked your interest, the fields you have studied extensively, etc.

c. In which fields, academic or other, would you describe yourselves as having achieved a high level of excellence?

d. Include a detailed description of prizes and scholarships you have won.

e. Present examples or explanations that illustrate your suitability for PhD studies.

f. Explain what has motivated you to choose this specific field of research.

g. Describe your experience and your achievements in the specific field of research. If you have participated in a research project, name the researcher who advised you and supervised your work on the project.

h. Describe relevant experience in the field, such as employment, community activities.

i. State the goals you wish to achieve in your PhD studies.

j. Explain what you think the differences ae between PhD studies in the direct track and in the regular track.

k. Explain why you are a good fit for studies in the direct PhD track.