Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction

Overview

The PhD in Curriculum and Instruction program is designed to intensify your studies in educational practice and develop new theories of learning and teaching through rigorous research. You will actively engage in scholarly inquiry and collaborate with faculty on major research projects.

Program of Study

Core Courses

• Principles of Curriculum Development
• Principles of Instruction
• Foundations of Research in Curriculum and Instruction

Specialization

Choose five or more courses within your specific area of interest.

Minor Field of Study/Electives

Select a coherent series of courses in subjects related to your chosen specialization.

Inquiry Courses

Take four courses in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

Other Requirements

• Research Tool Exam
• The Gateway Paper Review
• Qualifying Exam
• Dissertation

Areas of Specialization

Learning, Teaching, and Teacher Education

Study learning, teaching, and learning to teach across disciplines in diverse school contexts, including teaching and teacher education, humanizing pedagogies, reflective practices, and school improvement, all with a focus on social justice and equity.

• Faculty: Jonathan Foster, Julie Learned, Brett Levy, Alan Oliveira, Carol Rodgers, Robert Yagelski

Learning Sciences and Technology

Conduct interdisciplinary research on how people learn and how to design productive learning and educational practice with new technologies, such as online learning, collaborative/social technologies, virtual games, computational devices, and AI-augmented learning environments and analytics.

• Faculty: Reza Feyzi-Behnagh, Jonathan Foster, Peter Shea, Lijun Ni, Jianwei Zhang

Language and Technology

Examine language and literacy education with, through, and around digital screens and how the language of instruction, orchestrated in alignment with technology affordances, comes to shape learning environments, opportunities, processes, outcomes, and teacher preparation for both online and classroom contexts.

• Faculty: Alan Oliveira, Peter Shea

Literacy, Language, and Culture

Research the dynamic and interconnected roles of literacies, languages, and cultures in learning, including English education, disciplinary literacy, instructional discourse, the creation of just and inclusive contexts, and students' cultural and linguistic practices in school-based and out-of-school learning.

• Faculty: Alex Kumi-Yeboah, Julie Learned, Robert Yagelski

Science and Mathematics Education

Examine critical issues in the teaching and learning of science, mathematics, and computer science at the K-12 and post-secondary levels, such as disciplinary thinking and practices, classroom discourse, integration of technology, computing education, and environmental education.

• Faculty: Jonathan Foster, Alan Oliveira, Lijun Ni, Jianwei Zhang

TESOL and Second Language Acquisition

Explore concepts in TESOL and second language acquisition as related to pragmatics, cognitive linguistics, intercultural communication, and multilingualism.

• Faculty: Istvan Kecskes

Society, Equity, and Social Studies

Examine social studies education in K-12 as well as the role of education in fostering just and equitable societies, addressing key issues in civic engagement, equity in education, and socially just teaching.

• Faculty: Brett Levy, Alan Oliveira, Carol Rodgers, Alex Kumi-Yeboah

Careers

The PhD program prepares you to succeed as an academic scholar and instructor at higher education institutions or pursue curriculum and teaching leadership positions in K-12 schools, continuing and community education centers, and training departments.

• Common Job Titles: Educational Researcher, Professor or Teaching Faculty, Senior Instructional Designer, and Instructional Technology Director.
• Common Employers: Colleges and Universities, Public School Districts, Businesses and Corporations, Nonprofit Organizations, State, Regional, and Federal Agencies, Ministries of Education, United States Department of Defense, Medical Centers and Teaching Hospitals.

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

• Departmental Assistantship Consideration:
  • Fall: February 25
  • Spring: November 19
  • Summer: February 25
• No Departmental Assistantship Consideration:
  • Fall: Rolling
  • Spring: Rolling
  • Summer: Rolling

Required Application Materials

• Transcripts from all schools attended
• Three letters of recommendation (Two of the three required letters of recommendation must be from faculty addressing applicant's potential to succeed in the PhD program.)
• GRE
• Statement of Background and Goals

Student Learning Objectives

Our doctoral students:

• Develop in-depth knowledge of current research and theory in their particular area of specialization.
• Are able to articulate researchable educational problems and plan and carry out well-framed studies that address these problems.
• Are able to read and write critically and analytically on critical issues in educational theory and research.
• Are able to participate effectively in the community of educational researchers, including collaborative working groups, professional presentations, and publication in formats and genres appropriate to their fields of specialization.