Arab Educational Information Network

This study aims at revealing the problems facing male and female PhD students in departments of Education at Al-Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in order to highlight and clarify such problems. The population of this study is composed of all male and female PhD students (137) specializing in education in the faculty of social sciences at Al-Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University during the first semester of the academic year 1434-1435 AH. The study uses the descriptive approach (survey) and the (questionnaire) as its tool. The findings of the study reveal the most important personal, academic and administrative problems facing male and female PhD students in departments of Education at Al-Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University including: student's weak ability to balance between job and family tasks and study requirements; uncertainty of the student’s career development after obtaining a PhD, predominance of the theoretical aspect in most of the courses, lack of academic advisor for each student at the beginning of the program; delay in appointing an academic supervisor for the student after completing 50% of the theoretical courses; and finally, not consulting students when preparing class schedules. (Published abstract)