The article discusses studies on stricto sensu graduate programs in Brazil. It results from documentary research aimed at identifying the theoretical and methodological trends that underlie the training of researchers in education, from the analysis of the curricular structures - subjects, summaries and bibliographies - of the programs of excellence and which have international standard for 2007 CAPES triennial assessment. The data was collected in Cadernos de Indicadores, at Portal CAPES, link Avaliação (evaluation). The results showed an epistemological training profile which combines diversity, originality and uniqueness of topics and the discussion of theoretical references linked to the so-called "linguistic turn" (Deleuze and Foucault), "hermeneutic turn" (Gadamer) and "pragmatic turn" (Habermas) from the perspective of the new philosophy of science and sociology of science.
education; graduate studies; evaluation; training of researchers