Exploratory Analysis on Ph.D. Candidate Issues in Iran (Case Study: Educational Sciences)

as one of the highest academic degrees, Ph.D. is considered as a unique educational, research and administrative qualification. In spite of quantitative development, an investigation about the quality of courses and provision of some information on the current situation can help improve the education. This paper explores the issues and problems of doctoral students of educational sciences by using qualitative data achieved by semi-structured interviews with 16 doctoral students. Data analysis, which was carried out by using Strauss & Corbin analytical method, reveals that doctoral students of educational sciences are facing a variety of problems concerning the courses, departments and university conditions. Apart from these, they have some economic and personal limitations which finally results in insufficient involvement in the course.