PhD in Curriculum and Instruction
Four concentrations are available:
- Critical Pedagogies and Urban Teacher Education Concentration
- Curriculum Studies Concentrationa
- Literacy, Language, and Culture Concentration
- Mathematics and Science Education Concentration
- a
This concentration will not be available to new students after Fall 2021.
Critical Pedagogies and Urban Teacher Education Concentration
Admission Requirements
Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Applicants must submit transcripts from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work and from all post baccalaureate work. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:
- Baccalaureate Field No restrictions.
- Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study and for all postbaccalaureate coursework.
- Tests Required None.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (Note: Total score is higher than the sum of the subscores), OR,
- IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
- PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
- Letters of Recommendation Three required from faculty members or others familiar with the applicant’s previous academic training, academic and research ability, and experience.
- Personal Statement Required. The statement must address the applicant’s professional and scholarly goals.
- Deadlines Application deadlines for this program are listed on the Graduate College website.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 from the baccalaureate or 64 hours beyond the master’s degree.
- Coursework
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| College Core (12 semester hours) | ||
| Urban Contexts and Educational Research | ||
| Introduction to Educational Research: Paradigms and Processes | ||
| Introduction to Educational Research: Designs and Analyses | ||
| Methodology Requirement (12 semester hours) | ||
| Essentials of Qualitative Inquiry in Education (or equivalent based on faculty advisor approval) | ||
| Essentials of Quantitative Inquiry in Education (or equivalent based on faculty advisor approval) | ||
One additional course to be selected in consultation with faculty advisor. | ||
| Critical Pedagogies and Urban Teacher Education Concentration Program Core (24 semester hours) | ||
| Foundations of Critical Teaching and Learning: Paradigms, Perspectives, and Domains | ||
| Curriculum and Cultural Context | ||
| Area of Emphasis Electives | ||
| In consultation with and approval of advisor, select 16 hours in one of the following areas: | ||
Critical Pedagogies | ||
| Conflicts in Curriculum | ||
or CI 553 | History of Curriculum Thought | |
| Research on Urban Teaching | ||
8 additional hours | ||
Urban Teacher Education | ||
| Research on Urban Teaching | ||
12 additional hours | ||
Health Professions Education | ||
16 hours of courses offered in the Department of Medical Education | ||
- Preliminary Examination Required; written and oral. The written examination is based on the student’s program of study. The oral portion of the examination is based on both the written examination and the student’s dissertation proposal.
- Dissertation Required: CI 599. Students must register for doctoral thesis research for at least 12 semester hours.
- Other Requirements
- Students must complete a training course sponsored by the Office for the Vice Chancellor for Research on the ethics of conducting research with human subjects. Students are required to submit an annual report of their academic and professional progress to their department.
- CI 592, CI 593, or CI 596 4 hours (credit increments negotiated with advisor).
Curriculum Studies Concentration
(Note: This concentration will not be available to new students after Fall 2021.)
Admission Requirements
Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Applicants must submit transcripts from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work and from all post baccalaureate work. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:
- Baccalaureate Field No restrictions.
- Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study and for all postbaccalaureate coursework.
- Tests Required None.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (Note: Total score is higher than the sum of the subscores), OR,
- IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
- PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
- Letters of Recommendation Three required from faculty members or others familiar with the applicant’s previous academic training, academic and research ability, and experience.
- Personal Statement Required. The statement must address the applicant’s professional and scholarly goals.
- Deadlines Application deadlines for this program are listed on the Graduate College website.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 from the baccalaureate or 64 hours beyond the master’s degree.
- Coursework
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| College Core (12 semester hours) | ||
| Urban Contexts and Educational Research | ||
| Introduction to Educational Research: Paradigms and Processes | ||
| Introduction to Educational Research: Designs and Analyses | ||
| Methodology Requirement (12 semester hours) | ||
| Essentials of Qualitative Inquiry in Education (or equivalent based on faculty advisor approval) | ||
| Essentials of Quantitative Inquiry in Education (or equivalent based on faculty advisor approval) | ||
One additional course to be selected in consultation with faculty advisor. | ||
| Curriculum Studies Concentration Program Core (24 semester hours) | ||
| Proseminar in Curriculum and Instruction | ||
| Foundations of Critical Teaching and Learning: Paradigms, Perspectives, and Domains | ||
One 4-hour course that fulfills a writing requirement. The writing course is selected from inside or outside the college in consultation with a faculty advisor | ||
Additional coursework selected in consultation with advisor | ||
Literacy, Language, and Culture Concentration
Admission Requirements
Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Applicants must submit transcripts from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work and from all post baccalaureate work. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:
- Baccalaureate Field No restrictions.
- Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study and for all postbaccalaureate coursework.
- Tests Required None.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (Note: Total score is higher than the sum of the subscores), OR,
- IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
- PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
- Letters of Recommendation Three required from faculty members or others familiar with the applicant’s previous academic training, academic and research ability, and experience.
- Personal Statement Required. The statement must address the applicant’s professional and scholarly goals.
- Deadlines Application deadlines for this program are listed on the Graduate College website.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 from the baccalaureate or 64 hours beyond the master’s degree.
- Coursework
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| College Core (12 semester hours) | ||
| Urban Contexts and Educational Research | ||
| Introduction to Educational Research: Paradigms and Processes | ||
| Introduction to Educational Research: Designs and Analyses | ||
| Methodology Requirement (12 semester hours) | ||
| Essentials of Qualitative Inquiry in Education (or equivalent based on faculty advisor approval) | ||
| Essentials of Quantitative Inquiry in Education (or equivalent based on faculty advisor approval) | ||
One additional course to be selected in consultation with faculty advisor. | ||
| Literacy, Language, and Culture Concentration Program Core (20 semester hours) a | ||
| Proseminar in Literacy, Language and Culture | ||
| Proseminar in Literacy, Language, and Culture | ||
| Selectives | ||
| 12 hours of selectives with content directly related to literacy, language, and/or culture. Students can select from the following courses: | ||
| The Social and Cultural Contexts of Literacy and Literacy Instruction | ||
| Design and Conduct of Literacy Research | ||
| Analysis of Research in Literacy | ||
| Research in Children's and Adolescent Literature | ||
| Literacy In and Out of School | ||
| Bi-Literacy: Theory, Research, and Practice | ||
| Perspectives on Reading: Theory, Research and Practice | ||
| Research Perspectives on Literacy in the Disciplines | ||
| Early Literacy: Theory Research and Practice | ||
| Semiotics, Literacy, and Learning | ||
| Seminar in Literacy Studies | ||
| Perspectives on Writing Instruction: Theory, Research, and Practice | ||
| Literacy Assessment: Theory, Research, and Practice | ||
| Literacy and Learning Technologies: Theory, Research and Practice | ||
| Apprenticeship in Teacher Education | ||
- a
Additional courses may be required for students without a master’s degree approved by program faculty.
- Qualifying Examination Required. The Qualifying Examination serves as the first step in determining a student’s readiness to undertake dissertation research. It is administered at or near the end of the time the student has completed most of the coursework (but has not yet made a major investment toward the dissertation research). A minimum of one year must elapse between passing the Qualifying Examination and the defense of the dissertation. Only students in good academic standing are permitted to take the examination.
The Qualifying Exam in Literacy, Language, and Culture is offered semiannually, once prior to the beginning of the academic year and once during spring semester. It is designed to be educative as well as evaluative. The exam consists of two components: a Common Knowledge Component given to all students seeking doctoral candidacy and a Specialization Component focusing on a student’s area of specific inquiry in literacy. The qualifying exam is taken over a four-day period, with three days devoted to the Common Knowledge Component and one day to the Specialization Component. - Preliminary Examination Required; The written exam consists of the student’s dissertation proposal. The oral portion of the examination is based on the student’s oral defense of the dissertation proposal.
- Dissertation Required. Students must register for doctoral thesis research for at least 16 semester hours.
- Other Requirements 4 semester hours. Students participate in a research project in collaboration with a faculty member or a team of faculty members and students. Four semester hours of credit are awarded for the project, requiring at least one semester to complete. Students must complete a training course sponsored by the Office for the Vice Chancellor for Research on the ethics of conducting research with human subjects. Students are required to submit an annual report of their academic and professional progress.
Mathematics and Science Education Concentration
Admission Requirements
Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Applicants must submit transcripts from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work and from all postbaccalaureate work. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:
- Baccalaureate Field No restrictions.
- Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study and for all post baccalaureate coursework.
- Tests Required None.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (Note: Total score is higher than the sum of the subscores), OR,
- IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
- PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
- Letters of Recommendation Three letters from faculty members or others familiar with the applicant’s previous academic training, academic and research ability, and experience are required.
- Personal Statement This required statement must address the applicant’s professional and scholarly goals.
- Deadlines Application deadlines for this program are listed on the Graduate College website.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 98 from the baccalaureate or 66 hours beyond the master’s degree.
- Coursework
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| College Core (12 semester hours) | ||
| Urban Contexts and Educational Research | ||
| Introduction to Educational Research: Paradigms and Processes | ||
| Introduction to Educational Research: Designs and Analyses | ||
| Methodology Requirement (12 semester hours) | ||
| Essentials of Qualitative Inquiry in Education (or equivalent based on faculty advisor approval) | ||
| Essentials of Quantitative Inquiry in Education (or equivalent based on faculty advisor approval) | ||
One additional course to be selected in consultation with faculty advisor. | ||
| Math and Science Concentration Program Core (12 semester hours) | ||
| The Sociopolitical Context of Mathematics and Science Education | ||
| Race, Identity, and Agency in Mathematics and Science Education | ||
| Multimodality, Multiliteracies, and Science and Mathematics Education | ||
| Proseminar in Curriculum and Instruction (2 semester hours) | ||
| Proseminar in Curriculum and Instruction | ||
| Math or Science Specialization (12 semester hours) | ||
| Select three of the following in consultation with a faculty advisor: | ||
| Research on Mathematics Teachers and Teaching | ||
| Research on the Learning of Mathematics | ||
| The K-12 Mathematics Curriculum: Theory, Politics and Reform | ||
| Research on Science Curriculum | ||
| Research on Science Teaching and Teacher Education | ||
| Research on Science Learning | ||
- Preliminary Examination Required; written and oral. The written examination is based on the student’s program of study. The oral portion of the examination is based on both the written examination and the student’s dissertation proposal.
- Dissertation Required. Students must register for doctoral thesis research for at least 12 semester hours.
- Other Requirements
- Students must complete a training course sponsored by the Office for the Vice Chancellor for Research on the ethics of conducting research with human subjects. Students are required to submit an annual report of their academic and professional progress to their department.
- CI 593 or CI 596 or CI 592 (Credit Increments negotiated with the advisor).
Interdepartmental Concentrations
Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in select concentrations after consulting with their graduate advisor. Interdepartmental concentrations available for this degree include:
- Black Studies
- Gender and Women's Studies