Curriculum and Instruction - Ph.D.

Program Description

The Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction focuses on curricular issues as a field of inquiry and develops strengths in the areas of understanding and addressing the complex and multiple questions that influence curriculum theory, design, development, delivery, assessment, and evaluation. The primary goal of this program is to prepare curriculum leaders, researchers, and professors with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to analyze, construct, and evaluate curricula in ways that create optimal learning conditions for all learners. This comprehensive preparation will enable graduates to examine unconscious assumptions and identify complex challenges associated with working in schools and other institutions in a multicultural democracy. Consequently, particular attention is devoted to the philosophical, theoretical, historical, cultural, ethical, and political constructs and assumptions that affect curricula, including courses and programs.

C&I Ph.D. Program Handbook

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Degrees Offered

Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction

Tracks in:

• General Education
• Curriculum Studies and Teacher Education (CSTE)
• Language, Diversity & Literacy Studies
• STEM Education

Offered: face-to-face or online

Career Opportunities With This Degree

Graduates of the Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction will find the following career opportunities in various fields. They include but are not limited to:

• Becoming a faculty member in a College of Education
• Educational program officers and policy analysts in government agencies
• Instructional specialists and leaders in school districts or schools
• Educational researchers and consultants in private or non-profit organizations

Application Requirements

• Doctoral applications for Fall 2023 have closed. The application portal for Fall 2024 will open in the fall of 2023.

GRE scores are required for this program. Teacher's certification and teaching experience preferred.

The Ph.D. program in Curriculum and Instruction requires a completed master's degree in the field of education or cognate areas of study from an accredited higher education institution in the United States or equivalent higher education institution in another country.

Other required documents:

• Your resume (curriculum vita)
• An applicant statement in which you discuss your academic background, work experience, personal insights that led you to the decision to pursue this degree, and academic goals that you want to accomplish. Please describe your research interests and, if possible, names of faculty members who may serve as research advisors.
• A sample of your scholarly writing
• Three letters of recommendation that have been written within the last year. (As you complete your application, you will be given web addresses, which you pass to each of your recommenders to make their recommendation for you).

Download a list of required application materials (general track)

Visit the Graduate Application Process page for more information.

• Due to ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Graduate School has temporarily changed its admission requirements regarding test scores. The GRE may optionally be submitted by applicants for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years, through the Summer 2024 application cycle. International applicants may use certain alternate exams in place of the TOEFL. Please visit the Graduate Admissions COVID-19 FAQ page for more information.

Financial Aid

Scholarships and assistantships for doctoral students are available through the office of graduate education and research in the College of Education.

Tuition & Fees

Use the Student Business Services Tuition Estimator to estimate your costs.

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