Program Overview

Program Overview

The Curriculum Studies and Teacher Education specialization is designed for individuals seeking an in-depth understanding of the issues faced by curriculum and teacher education specialists. This program provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of the philosophical, cultural, ethical, political, and historical contexts that influence curriculum design, development, delivery, and evaluation.

Program Description

The Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, with a track in Curriculum Studies/Teacher Education (CSTE), is a comprehensive program that prepares students for careers in academia, government, and business. The program focuses on research methods, statistics, and policy, making it highly valued in various industries.

Degrees Offered

• Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, with a track in Curriculum Studies/Teacher Education (CSTE)

Modes of Delivery

The program is offered face-to-face or online, with some courses and degree milestones requiring mandatory synchronous meetings via virtual meetings and video conferencing software.

Career Opportunities

A Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction may prepare students to work as teachers, trainers, or education researchers. The degree can also lead to careers in academia, government, and business, including leadership roles as curriculum and instructional leaders in schools or districts.

Application Materials

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
• Unofficial transcripts uploaded to the Graduate School application
• Grade reports or unofficial transcripts from university web portals will not be accepted
• A copy of a complete and official English translation must be provided with the original language records, if documents are written in a language other than English

Required Supplemental Application Materials

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Research Statement
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Writing Sample

Application Process

• Doctoral applications for Fall 2026 open October 1st
• The application deadline is January 15th, 2026
• Please visit the Graduate Application Process for more information on how to apply

Semester in which the program can be started

• Fall enrollment only

Estimated Hours to Completion

• 63 hours of coursework

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 costs
• Cost estimate per semester (6 Credits):
  • Texas Resident: $2,867 (On-Campus), $2,687 (Online)
  • Out of State Resident: $5,297 (On-Campus), $2,687 (Online)
  • International Student: $5,372 (On-Campus), $5,192 (Online)

Ph.D. Admissions Process

• Ph.D. applications are accepted for fall only
• Application portals open in October and close in December
• Applicants may only apply to one track for consideration of admission
• All application materials must be submitted to the portal for review
• Applications are reviewed in a holistic manner, and GRE scores are not mandatory but may be optionally supplied

Faculty

The faculty members in the Curriculum and Instruction department have diverse research interests, including:

• Teacher education and social justice
• Curriculum theory and compassion as praxis
• Critical multicultural education and qualitative research
• Decolonial Theory and the geopolitics of curriculum
• Space/Place Theory and Critical Ethnography

Research Areas

Faculty members are active in various research areas, including:

• American Education Research Association (AERA)
• The Bergamo Curriculum Theory and Classroom Practice
• The Qualitative Report (TQR)
• The Korean Association for Multicultural Education (KAME)
• The Curriculum and Pedagogy Group
• The Latin America Council of Social Sciences

Fast Facts

• Hours to Completion: 63
• Application Deadline: January 15th, 2026