Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Record 2017-2018 
    
Graduate Record 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Curriculum & Instruction (MEd, EdS, EdD, PhD)


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Curriculum and Instruction


Degree offerings within the Curriculum and Instruction prepare educators for a wide variety of professional opportunities in formal and informal learning environments including colleges and universities, PK-12 schools and school divisions, local, state and federal departments of education, education-related non-profit organizations, and education-related advocacy organizations. Flexible offerings delivered face-to-face or online either full-time or part-time (depending upon the degree) make the Curriculum and Instruction programs adaptable for students’ needs.

Master of Education  - Curriculum and Instruction


The M.Ed. degree prepares students for positions within schools, museums, and other community settings.  Advisors meet with students to design a program of study that includes core and elective courses that complement professional goals. The program provides the option for students to choose an area of emphasis. These areas are English Education, Elementary Education, ESOL, Foreign Language Education, Gifted Education, Instructional Technology, Mathematics Education, Science Education, Social Studies Education, Special Education, STEM Education, and a dual degree in partnership with the Darden School of Business.

Total Number of Credits required

The M.Ed. program requires a minimum of 30 credits of coursework at the 5000 level or higher. Fifteen credits must be earned within the core requirements and students must take a minimum of one class from each of the four “pillars” of the program. A second course from one of the pillars is recommended to create the 15-hour core. Coursework selections are based upon a student’s prior experiences and desired educational outcomes.

Required courses

  • Curriculum core (3 credit minimum)
  • Instruction core (3 credit minimum)
  • Assessment core (3 credit minimum)
  • Diversity core (3 credit minimum)
  • Core elective (3 credit minimum)

Concentration coursework: 15 credits

Advisors assist students in selecting 15 hours of concentration coursework to create an area of specialization from existing graduate courses. In addition, a concentration can be established within one of the pillars (curriculum, instruction, assessment, and diversity) or in English education, Foreign Language Education/ESOL, gifted education, mathematics education, science education or social studies education.

Transfer Credits

A maximum of 6 credit hours can be transferred in to the program if the course is determined by the advisor to meet a number of conditions (e.g., graduate-level, is equivalent in rigor and focus to a course offered in the program of study, the student earned a grade of B- or higher, and the course was successfully completed less than 5 years from the date of admission to the program).

Culminating experience

M.Ed. students must complete a comprehensive exam in the final semester of their coursework or as an independent study course as their final course experience.

Education Specialist - Curriculum and Instruction


The Ed.S. degree prepares students for positions within schools, museums, and other community settings.  Advisors meet with students to design a program of study that includes core and elective courses that complement professional goals. The program provides the option for students to choose an area of emphasis. These areas are English Education, Elementary Education, ESOL, Foreign Language Education, Gifted Education, Instructional Technology, Mathematics Education, Science Education, Social Studies Education, Special Education, and STEM Education.

Total number of credits required

The Ed.S. program is a planned 30-credit (minimum) terminal post-master’s degree win which candidates are expected to attain an understanding of major issues in professional education and the ability to integrate and apply what they have learned in an educational context. Coursework selections are based upon a student’s prior experiences and desired educational outcomes.

List of Required courses

Core courses: 12 credits
Students and advisors develop a personalized core set of courses that include research competencies sufficient for culminating project.

Concentration coursework - 15 credits

Advisors assist students in selecting 15 hours of concentration coursework to create an area of specialization from existing graduate courses. In addition, a concentration can be established within one of the pillars (curriculum, instruction, assessment, and diversity) or in English education, Foreign Language Education/ESOL, gifted education, mathematics education, science education or social studies education.

Culminating Action Research Project - 3 credits

Transfer Credits

A maximum of 6 credit hours can be transferred in to the program if the course is determined by the advisor to meet a number of conditions (e.g., graduate-level, is equivalent in rigor and focus to a course offered in the program of study, the student earned a grade of B- or higher, and the course was successfully completed less than 5 years from the date of admission to the program).

Culminating experience

Ed.S. students must plan and complete a culminating action research project.

Doctor of Education - Curriculum and Instruction


The Ed.D. program in Curriculum and Instruction prepares graduates for college or university positions in teacher education or for positions within school districts with specific areas of curricular expertise and supervision. The program includes coursework, an internship, and practical experiences to prepare graduates to: (1) produce scholar-practitioner research that adds to the knowledge base of a specific organization and/or program; (2) educate teachers in the area of curricular expertise and evidence-based practice; and (3) provide effective leadership in the field of teacher education. The program provides the option for students to choose an area of emphasis. These areas are English Education, Elementary Education, ESOL, Foreign Language Education, Gifted Education, Instructional Technology, Mathematics Education, Science Education, Social Studies Education, and Special Education.

Total Number of Credits required

The Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction requires a minimum of 72 hours.  There is a 18-semester hour core requirement.  In addition, students must take a minimum of 18 semester hours in research and 12 semesters hours of electives or courses in a supporting area—either English Education, Gifted Education, Instructional Technology, Mathematics Education, Science Education, or Social Studies Education.  An internship of 12 semester hours, typically beginning in the student’s second year of full-time study, must be completed. Students are encouraged to complete their internship in their supporting area.  Twelve (12) additional credits related to the final capstone project round out the required 72 credits.  Of the Curry classes that are required, 36 hours (not including the capstone) must be completed after admission to the Curriculum & Instruction Ed.D. program.   

Core Courses required

A minimum of 18 semester hours of core coursework is required.  Options for core courses:

  • EDIS 5055 Models of Instruction (3 credits)
  • EDLF 7180 Tests and Measurements (3 credits)
  • EDLF 7230 Curriculum for the Gifted and Talented (3 credits)
  • EDIS 7250 Models and Strategies for Teaching the Gifted (3 credits)
  • EDLF 7390 Differentiating Instruction (3 credits)
  • EDIS 7800 Fundamentals of Curriculum (3 credits)
  • EDIS 8800 Principles of Curriculum Design (3 credits)
  • EDIS 8810 Policy Perspectives on Teaching and Teacher Education (3 credits)
  • EDIS 8820 Curriculum: Advanced Seminar (3 credits)
  • EDIS 8855 Education and Diversity (3 credits)

Coursework in Research

A minimum of 18 semester hours of research methods coursework is required. Students must take at least 2 quantitative research methods courses and 2 qualitative research methods courses.  Options for research methods courses:

  • EDLF 7300 Foundations of Ed Research  (3 credits)      
  • EDLF 5330 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics (Stat I) (3 credits)    
  • EDIS 7852 Reading the Research (3 credits)                        
  • EDLF 7420 Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis (Stat II) (3 credits)    
  • EDLF 7402 Program Evaluation  (3 credits)                           
  • EDLF 7404 Qualitative Analysis (3 credits)    
  • EDLF 8310 Correlation & Regression Analysis—Stat III (3 credits)    
  • EDLF 8440 Advanced Qual Analysis (3 credits)    
  • EDLF 8450 Qualitative Analysis with Computers (3 credits)    
  • EDLF 5310 Data Management for Social Science Research (3 credits)    

Electives OR Coursework in One Supporting Area

A minimum of 12 semester hours is required.  Coursework is determined in concert with your program committee.  Possible supporting areas:

  • English Education
  • Gifted Education
  • Mathematics Education                
  • Science Education             
  • Social Studies Education
  • Instructional Technology

Other Requirements

  • Internship - A minimum of 12 semester hours must be completed.
  • Preliminary Examination
  • Comprehensive Examination
  • Capstone Project - A minimum of 12 semester hours must be completed.

Culminating Experience

Ed.D. students in Curriculum and Instruction must successful design, implement and defend the Capstone project.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education - Curriculum and Instruction


The Ph.D. in Education - Curriculum and Instruction (C&I Ph.D.) is a terminal graduate degree that prepares graduates for positions in university settings (e.g., in research intensive universities, liberal arts colleges, and other post-secondary institutions), school districts, government agencies, and non-governmental agencies (NGOs). The C&I Ph.D. program emphasizes development of strong foundational knowledge in theory and the practical application of theory in one’s chosen fields of study. A thorough understanding of all aspects of the research process is key, including: development of research questions and hypotheses, research design, analysis and interpretation, dissemination of results in both oral and written formats, and grant writing to fund research. C&I Ph.D. students take extensive coursework in research methods and many focus on optional areas of emphasis. These optional areas include: Diverse Learners and Learning Contexts and Teacher Education/Teacher Quality.

Core Requirements

A minimum of 24 semester hours of core coursework is required for the C&I PhD. This can include 24 hours of C&I core courses or 12 hours of C&I core courses and 12 hours of courses in a C&I optional area of emphasis (see examples of optional areas of emphasis below). Possible core courses:

  • EDIS 8800 Principles of Curriculum Design (3 credits)
  • EDIS 5055 Models of Instruction (3 credits)
  • EDLF 7390 Differentiated Instruction (3 credits)
  • EDIS 8855 Diversity and Education (3 credits)

Research Requirements

A minimum of 24 semester hours of core coursework is required. Required research courses:

  • EDIS 7852  Seminar: Reading Research (3 credits)
  • EDLF 7300  Foundations of Educational Research (3 credits)
  • EDLF 5330  Descriptive and Inferential Statistics (Stat I) (3 credits)
  • EDLF 7404  Qualitative Analysis (3 credits)
  • EDLF 7420  Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis (Stat II)  (3 credits)

Optional Area of Emphasis

A minimum of 12 semester hours is required. Coursework is approved by the student’s doctoral program committee and the C&I doctoral studies coordinator. Optional areas of emphasis:

  • Diverse Learners and Learning Contexts
  • Teacher Education/Teacher Quality

Other Requirements

  • Research mentorship - A minimum of 12 semester hours of research mentorship must be completed.
  • Preliminary Examination - Completed after the first year of full-time coursework.
  • Qualifying paper/Comprehensive Examination - Completed after the second year of full-time coursework.
  • Dissertation - A minimum of 12 credits hours must be completed.

Culminating Experience

PhD students in Curriculum and Instruction must successful design, implement and defend the dissertation project in accordance with the Curry Dissertation manual.