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Curriculum and Instruction
Degree offerings within the Curriculum and Instruction program 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 connect with students to design a program of study that includes core and area of emphasis courses that complement professional goals. The program provides the option for students to choose an area of emphasis. These areas are Applied Behavior Analysis (BCBA), Educational Innovation, English as a Second Language (ESL), Gifted Education, Instructional Technology, Literacy, Professional Studies, Social and Emotional Learning, Social Foundations, Special Education, and there is also 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 fifth course with the comprehensive exam embedded within it completes the 15-hour core requirement. Coursework selections are based upon a student’s prior experiences, program course offerings, 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)
- Masters Comprehensive in Curriculum and Instruction (3 credit minimum)
Concentration coursework: 15 credits
Advisors assist students in selecting 15 hours of concentration coursework to create an area of emphasis from existing graduate courses. The areas of emphasis are Applied Behavior Analysis (BCBA), Educational Innovation, English as a Second Language (ESL), Gifted Education, Instructional Technology, Literacy, Professional Studies, Social and Emotional Learning, Social Foundations, and Special Education.
Transfer credits
A maximum of 6 credit hours can be transferred in to the program after the course is evaluated 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 admitted to the program prior to fall 2019 must complete a comprehensive exam in the final semester of their coursework or as an independent study course as their final course experience. Students beginning the program in fall 2019 or after complete the comprehensive exam within the fifth core course.
Public Professional Licensure Disclosure
As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).
Upon completion of the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction program at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.
Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))
Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).
Education Specialist - Curriculum and Instruction
The Education Specialist degree prepares students to become teacher leaders, curriculum specialists, and/or instructional coaches in K-12 schools and districts. This degree can also prepare individuals for leadership roles and work at community colleges, museums, foundations, and other for- and non-profit organizations. The program is personalized and flexible. Advisors meet with students to design a program of study that complements students’ professional goals.
Total number of credits required
The Ed.S. program is a planned 30-credit (minimum) post-master’s degree in 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. Students are required to take seven courses in curriculum and instruction. Three of these courses are required and then there are several course choices within each of the four pillars: Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Students have the option to choose courses of interest for the three electives.
Required Coursework - 21 credits
Students are required to take the following courses:
EDIS 7025 - Teachers as Leaders (3 credits)
EDIS 7035 - Professional Knowledge (3 credits)
EDIS 7812 - Educational Specialist Professional Portfolio (3 credits)
Advisors assist students in selecting each of the courses within the four pillars: Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as well as the elective courses.
Elective Coursework - 9 credits
Students are required to take three electives to fulfill the required 30 credit hours for this degree. The elective courses can be selected from the following areas based on the student’s interests and professional goals: Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Innovation, English as a Second Language, Gifted Education, Instructional Technology, Literacy, and Social and Emotional Learning.
Culminating Experience
Ed.S. students admitted to the program prior to the spring of 2022 must complete a culminating project in the final semester of their coursework as an independent study or as part of their final course experience. Students beginning the program in spring 2022 or after complete the culminating project within the final course: EDIS 7812 EdS Professional Portfolio.
Transfer Credits
A maximum of 6 credit hours can be transferred into the program. Only graduate-level courses that meet a number of conditions (e.g., the course 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) are eligible for transfer.
Public Professional Licensure Disclosure
As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).
Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).
Doctor of Education - Curriculum and Instruction
The Ed.D. program in Curriculum and Instruction prepares graduates to become practitioner-scholars who leverage their knowledge of research and commitment to equity as leaders of educational practice and of the organizations in which they work. Specifically, C&I Ed.D. graduates are experts in curriculum and instruction who apply their knowledge to their professional practice, utilize research to address problems of practice, engage stakeholders in collaborative problem-solving, and promote equity through their work in K-12 schools and district offices, nonprofit organizations, and other related settings.
The Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction requires a minimum of 72 credit hours of study, which includes coursework and “milestone” assessments. Required coursework includes 24 credits of study of the C&I Core, 18 credits of study of research methods, and 12 credits of study in an area of emphasis selected by the student. Possible areas of emphasis include: Curriculum and Instruction; Educational Innovation, English as a Second Language, Gifted Education, Instructional Design and Technology, Leadership in Reading & Literacy, and Social and Emotional Learning.
Milestone assessments include a 1-credit preliminary exam, a 6-credit field study, a 1-credit comprehensive exam, and a culminating 10-credit capstone project.
Core Courses required
A minimum of 24 semester hours of core coursework is required. Options for core courses may include:
Coursework in Research
A minimum of 18 semester hours of research methods coursework is required. Options for research methods courses may include:
Coursework in One Supporting Area of Emphasis (12 credits)
Coursework in the student’s chosen area of emphasis is determined together with your program advisor.
Milestone Assessments
Culminating Experience
Ed.D. students in Curriculum and Instruction must successfully design, implement, and defend the Capstone project in accordance with the Capstone manual.
Transfer Credits
A maximum of 24 credit hours can be transferred into the program. Only graduate-level courses that meet a number of conditions (e.g., the course 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 10 years from the date of admission to the program) may be approved for transfer.
Public Professional Licensure Disclosure
As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).
Upon completion of the Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction program at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.
Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))
Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).
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.
Total Number of Credits required
The Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction requires a minimum of 72 hours. There is a 12-semester hour core requirement. In addition, students must take a minimum of 24 semester hours in research and 18 semester hours of electives and/or courses in a supporting area. Twelve (12) additional credits of dissertation research round out the required 72 credits. Of the EHD classes that are required, 36 hours (not including doctoral research apprenticeship (9998) and dissertation credit (9999)) must be completed after admission to the Curriculum & Instruction Ph.D. program.
Core Requirements
A minimum of 12 semester hours of core coursework is required for the C&I PhD. The following four core courses are required:
Research Requirements
A minimum of 24 semester hours of research coursework is required. Required research courses:
Electives, Supporting Areas
A minimum of 18 semester hours is required. Coursework is approved by the student’s doctoral program committee and the C&I PhD studies coordinator.
Other Requirements
- Preliminary Examination - Completed after the first year of full-time coursework.
- Qualifying paper/Comprehensive Examination - Completed after the second year of full-time coursework.
- Research mentorship - A minimum of 6 semester hours of research mentorship must be completed (9998).
- Dissertation - A minimum of 12 credits hours must be completed (9999).
Culminating Experience
PhD students in Curriculum and Instruction must successfully design, implement and defend the dissertation project in accordance with the School of Education and Human Development Dissertation manual.
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