Program Overview
Curriculum and Instruction, PhD
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers graduate studies that lead to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Curriculum and Instruction. The goals of doctoral study in Curriculum and Instruction are to help students develop abilities for research in the field of curriculum and instruction, imbuing them with a distinctive theoretical and critical edge; develop expertise in one of the department's areas of study; acquire greater competence in curriculum evaluation and development; improve understanding of the teachinglearning process; gain depth and breadth of knowledge in related academic fields; and build a broadened professional background in areas related to curriculum and instruction.
Areas of Study
In accord with interests and professional goals, each admitted graduate student is assigned to a primary area of study and to an initial faculty advisor in that area. Areas of study are:
- Bilingual education
- Curriculum studies & global studies
- Early childhood studies
- English as a second language
- Literacy studies
- Mathematics education
- Multicultural education
- Music education
- Science education
- Social studies education
- Teacher education
- World language education
- Design, informal, and creative education (DICE)
Admissions
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s).
- Fall Deadline: December 1
- Spring Deadline: This program does not admit in the spring.
- Summer Deadline: This program does not admit in the summer.
- GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required.
- English Proficiency Test: Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English, must provide an English proficiency test score earned within two years of the anticipated term of enrollment.
- Letters of Recommendation Required: 3
PhD Applicants
Applicants are required to supplement the application with the following items:
- Unofficial transcripts: Unofficial transcripts from all previous postsecondary studies are required for all PhD applicants.
- Evidence of writing ability: PhD applicants are required to provide evidence of their writing ability by submitting a writing sample.
- Three letters that include an appraisal of academic competence: PhD applicants are required to have three letters of reference assessing their academic and professional competence.
- Statement of reasons for doctoral study and the names of one or two potential advisors: Each PhD applicant is required to upload a detailed statement of reasons for doctoral study and to pick the names of one or two potential advisors from a drop-down menu.
- Resume or curriculum vitae (cv):
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.
Program Resources
The department may provide funding for full-time, enrolled students. This funding could take the form of assistantships or fellowships and will include tuition remission and a modest stipend.
Requirements
Mode of Instruction
- Face to Face: Yes
- Evening/Weekend: No
- Online: No
- Hybrid: No
- Accelerated: No
Curricular Requirements
- Minimum Credit Requirement: 51 credits
- Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 36 credits beyond the masters before taking the preliminary examination
- Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 36 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
- Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.25 GPA required.
- Assessments and Examinations: Doctoral students must pass the preliminary examination within three years of starting the program.
- Language Requirements: No language requirements other than the English proficiency required for admission.
- Graduate School Breadth Requirement: All doctoral students are required to complete a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate.
Required Courses
51 credits minimum are needed to graduate. At least 36 of these must be taken after the student enters the PhD program. Within those 36 credits:
- For students without a UWMadison Curriculum & Instruction MS, minimum of 18 must be new Curriculum & Instruction (CURRIC) credits.
- For students with a UWMadison Curriculum & Instruction Research MS, a minimum of 12 must be new Curriculum & Instruction (CURRIC) credits.
- Breadth (912 credits)
- CURRIC 712 Introduction to Curriculum and Instruction: Research and Resources.
- 3 research method classes (from 2 different traditions as determined by advisor).
Policies
Prior Coursework
No prior coursework from other institutions can transfer for the 36 credits required before taking the preliminary examination in Curriculum and Instruction.
Probation
The status of a student can be one of two options:
- Satisfactory progress (progressing according to standards)
- Unsatisfactory progress (not progressing according to standards; permitted to enroll with specific plan with dates and deadlines in place in regard to removal of unsatisfactory progress to avoid dismissal from the program).
Advisor / Committee
All students are required to have an advisor. An advisor is assigned to all incoming students.
Credits Per Term Allowed
12 credits. Students may take up to 15 credits with the approval of their advisor and notification to the graduate program coordinator.
Time Limits
Students must submit their proposal at least one semester before they can defend their dissertation.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
- Employee Assistance
- Employee Disability Resource Office
- Graduate School
- Office of Compliance
- Office Student Assistance and Support
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff
- Title IX
Professional Development
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Learning Outcomes
- Breadth of Knowledge: Examples of competence may include demonstrating awareness of historical and intellectual context, educational practices, critical research paradigms within the broader field of Curriculum and Instruction, and theories and approaches from other fields as appropriate for their research.
- Depth of Knowledge: Examples of competence may include demonstrating mastery of concepts, theories, and research, and understanding of relevant educational practices and contexts, sufficient to pose questions that extend the current boundaries of knowledge within their chosen subfield of Curriculum and Instruction.
- Research Approaches and Epistemological Foundations: Examples of competence may include articulating research problems that build on history, theory, research, and practice within their subfield of Curriculum and Instruction; choosing research methods appropriate to those problems and demonstrating understanding of epistemological foundations underlying those methods.