Curry School of Graduate Education: Degree Information

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The primary purpose of this degree program is to provide experienced educators with a broad and systematic understanding of professional education, theory and practice, and the ability to conduct research and apply findings in an informed and critical manner. Candidates for the degree are recognized for their commitment to the application of knowledge on behalf of improved educational practice. Specific requirements for Ed.D. areas of concentration are posted on the Curry website.

Admission Requirements In addition to the admission requirements described on the Curry website, an Ed.D. applicant must hold a master’s degree or its equivalent and have previous professional experience in an area related to the proposed major.

Assessment of Progress Program areas determine key student competencies across each year of the doctoral program. Programs may use accreditation or licensing requirements as the foundation for these competencies. Students document their evolving competencies annually, and receive written and oral feedback on their annual progress.

Capstone Project Students complete a capstone project. The details of the capstone project can be found on the Curry website.

Comprehensive exam Ed.D. students complete a written comprehensive exam that covers the knowledge base and methodology of their disciplinary area and demonstrates their readiness to undertake capstone research. At least two faculty members independently evaluate the examination.

Course Requirements The Ed.D. program requires a minimum of 72 credits, including 54 credits of regular coursework (including up to 6 hours of internship, but not including capstone credits), 12 credits of internship (see below), with at least 36 course credits completed after admission to the program. Students can apply up to 12 credits of capstone project work toward the total of 72 in the final year.

Ed.D. students take a four-course sequence of research courses covering topics such as research design, program evaluation, research literacy, practice-based research, and data-driven decision-making. These courses include Research Foundations, Program Evaluation, and qualitative and quantitative methods courses.
Students entering the doctoral program with a strong master’s degree can apply up to 24 hours of credit toward their degree, pending approval of program area faculty, the department chair, and the dean’s representative. Course work must be current and relevant to the doctoral program of study.

Students ordinarily complete the program in 3 years of full-time study. Some students may take longer, depending on their internship and other responsibilities. Ed.D. students may also study on a part-time basis.

Enrollment Requirements Students must enroll continuously at the University during fall and spring semesters while working toward the Ed.D. degree. If students are not taking courses or working with a committee, they may maintain enrollment by paying a University non-resident fee. Failure to maintain continuous enrollment requires students to reapply for admission. Students must enroll for dissertation hours during any semester in which they are working with their committee.

Internship Requirement Ed.D. students must enroll in 12 internship credits. The internship will occupy approximately 20 hours per week over a two-year period. Six of the 12 credits can be applied toward the required 54 credits of coursework if the experiences include a product (e.g., paper) that frames the internship experiences in a theoretical/research base that program faculty evaluate. Students apply the remaining 6 credits to the 72-credit requirement for graduation. With the approval of the advisor, the student may use paid employment in a school or other practice setting for internship credit, provided that the student receives supervision and training throughout this experience.

Time Limit All requirements must be completed within four years after passing the Ed.D. comprehensive examination and within seven years of admission to the Ed.D. program. In special cases, the student may be required to validate out-of-date work by examination. Program committees must determine the appropriateness and currency of all course work, especially if it is eight or more years old.

The primary purpose of this degree is to develop educational scholars whose goals are to conduct original research and interpret and communicate the results of such research as authors, university faculty, and governmental or research agency officials. Specific requirements for Ph.D. programs are posted on the Curry web site.

Admission Requirements are described on the Curry website.

Enrollment Requirements Students must enroll continuously at the University during the fall and spring semesters while working toward the Ph.D. degree. If students are not taking courses or working with a committee, they may maintain enrollment by paying a University non-resident fee. Failure to maintain continuous enrollment requires students to reapply for admission. Students must enroll for dissertation hours during any semester in which they are working with their committee.

Time Limit All requirements must be completed within four years after passing comprehensive examinations and within seven years of admission to the Ph.D. program. In special cases, upon approval of the mentor, department chair, and the dean’s representative, out-of-date work may be revalidated by examination.

Program Features

Academic Goals Faculty have designed Ph.D. programs in the Curry School to prepare students for positions as professors and scholars with demonstrated ability to conduct research in their field of study. Programs may establish additional requirements and goals consistent with their field.

Assessment A student’s committee determines key student competencies across each year of the doctoral program. Faculty may use accreditation or licensing requirements as the foundation for these competencies. Students document their evolving competencies annually and receive written and oral feedback on their annual progress.

Coursework The PhD program requires 72 or more credits, depending on area requirements. Students must complete at least 54 credits of coursework. This includes content courses and research methodology courses, and up to 3 credits of research apprenticeship per semester, but does not include internship and dissertation credits. At least 36 course and apprenticeship credits must be completed after admission to the program. Students should consult program-area descriptions for additional detail.

Students entering the doctoral program with a master’s degree can apply up to 24 hours of credit to their doctoral studies, provided that committee members , the department chair and dean’s representative agree that the courses are comparable to specific courses required in the doctoral program.

Students will ordinarily complete the program in 4 years of full-time study, or 3 years of full-time study beyond an applicable masters degree.

Dissertation All Ph.D. students complete a dissertation proposal and a dissertation following either the traditional model or the three-paper option described in the Curry Dissertation Manual which can be found on the Curry website.

Faculty Mentors All entering Ph.D. students are assigned a faculty advisor who serves as a mentor. Although not required, we encourage applicants to make contact with potential mentors on the Curry Faculty to ensure an optimal match.

Pre-dissertation Research Manuscript Under the guidance of faculty, students complete a pre-dissertation research project that results in a manuscript submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal or an alternative scholarly publication consistent with the program area’s discipline. The student must submit the manuscript prior to undertaking dissertation work. There is no requirement that the paper be accepted for publication, but we encourage students to revise manuscripts if resubmission is likely to result in publication. Advisors/mentors work with students to shape these papers toward eventual publication; co-authored papers are acceptable.

Qualifying Examination Students complete a written comprehensive examination that covers the knowledge base and methodology of their discipline and demonstrates their readiness to undertake doctoral dissertation research. At least two faculty members independently evaluate the examination.

Research Apprenticeship Ph.D. students participate in a research apprenticeship with their faculty advisors. This apprenticeship occupies approximately 10 to 20 hours of each student’s week. During this apprenticeship, the student assists with the advisor’s research and scholarship, which may include data collection, data analysis, library research, presentations, writing for publication, and other related activities.

Research Methodology Emphasis All Ph.D. students take the Research Foundations course. Students take Stats I and Qual I, except under two circumstances: (1) the student has completed comparable coursework elsewhere, or (2) the program area makes the case that their discipline does not require one of these courses.

In addition to introductory courses described above, PhD students take courses in research design, methods, measurement, and/or statistics. Coursework prepares students to carry out research comparable to that described in first-rate publications in the student’s field of study. Students take advanced-level courses, some of which may be taught in other departments in the University.

The Education Specialist degree is a planned 30-credit (minimum) post-master’s program in which candidates who already possess a current master’s degree in education are expected to attain a broad and systematic understanding of professional education, a definitive knowledge of a particular field of specialization, and an ability to integrate and apply theoretical concepts of education in an actual educational context. This degree level is designed for the accomplished, experienced practitioner with specific professional aspirations. It is not designed for those who wish to pursue a research emphasis as a prelude to doctoral study.

The Ed.S. degree may be pursued in the following areas:

• Administration and Supervision
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Reading Education

Admission requirements are described on the Curry website.

Comprehensive Examination This culminating experience is developed and administered in accordance with procedures determined by the department. Satisfactory performance must be demonstrated before the student can graduate. A student who fails to perform satisfactorily may petition for one more opportunity to succeed.

Program Requirements To earn an Education Specialist degree, the following minimum requirements must be met:

1. Of the 30 credits, 24 must be taken on Grounds after admission to the program. At least 60 credits of graduate work (including M.Ed. coursework) must be completed prior to the awarding of the Ed.S. degree. For programs that combine the M.Ed./Ed.S. requirements, and those based on a master’s degree of more than 30 credits, exceptions may be filed with the associate dean.
2. All program requirements for the degree, as established by the individual department and area of emphasis, must be met.
3. The student must pass a comprehensive written examination as determined by the program area. In some program areas a project or thesis replaces this requirement.
4. No requirements, including transferred credit, completed more than eight years before the Ed.S. is to be awarded may be credited toward that degree. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the advisor, the department chair, and the dean, and are granted only when some emergency, such as illness, interrupts the student’s work. In such cases, the student may be required to validate out-of-date work by examination.

Admission requirements are described on the Curry website.

Comprehensive Examination This culminating experience is developed and administered in accordance with procedures determined by the department. Satisfactory performance must be demonstrated before the student can graduate. A student who fails to perform satisfactorily may petition for one more opportunity to succeed.

Program Requirements To earn a Master of Education degree, students must:

1. complete program requirements established by the faculty of the student’s program area,
2. demonstrate satisfactory performance on a comprehensive examination in the program area. In certain program areas, a project or thesis replaces the comprehensive exam requirement,
3. complete a minimum of 30 credits of graduate work.
4. apply no more than 6 graduate credits taken either at another institution towards the total number of required credits, or at U.Va. prior to admission,
5. complete a culminating experience (e.g., comprehensive exam, thesis), and
   register during the final semester.

Time Limit No requirements, including transferred credit, completed more than five years before the M.Ed. is to be awarded may be credited toward that degree. Exceptions must be approved by the advisor, department chair, and the associate dean, and are granted only when some emergency, such as illness, interrupts the student’s work. In such cases, the student may be required to validate out-of-date work by examination. 

The Master of Teaching (M.T.) degree is for individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree and wish to qualify for a teaching license. M.T. programs require one-and- a-half to two years of full-time study, including academic course work in the specialization field and teacher education experiences leading to initial endorsement in one or more specialties. (Opportunities for applicants to correct deficiencies in liberal arts preparation may also be required based on undergraduate course work.)

M.T. degree programs are available in elementary education (PreK-6); special education (general curriculum K-12); early childhood/special education (ages 0-5); health and physical education (K-12); foreign languages–French/German/Spanish/Latin (K-12); and secondary education (6-12), with specialization in English, mathematics, science (biology, chemistry, earth and space science, general science, physics), or social studies. Any student majoring in general special education must have a corollary area in elementary or secondary education or ESOL.

Admission Requirements Post-graduate Master of Teaching applicants seeking teacher licensure must have a B.A. or B.S. degree with the equivalent of an academic major in the arts and sciences (or an appropriate discipline) and an acceptable general studies component. The general studies component should be a well-planned sequence of courses and experiences that includes theoretical and practical knowledge gained from studies in mathematics, natural science, social science, U.S./American history, English, communication, literature, and other humanities.

The following are examples of acceptable courses within the specified areas. Science: natural science, astronomy, biology, chemistry, environmental science, and physics. Social science: anthropology, economics, government and foreign affairs, linguistics, psychology, sociology, and Western civilization or world history. A course in some area of non-Western studies is also desirable. Humanities: English, literature, speech communications, public speaking, debate, drama, art, music, philosophy, religious studies, foreign literature in translation, and foreign language.

In addition to submitting GRE scores (see Curry web page for target scores) applicants must provide ACT, SAT, VCLA or Praxis I scores that meet criteria described on the application web site.

Program requirements The following requirements must be met:

1. An approved program of study leading to licensure and endorsement. Information on specific program course sequences can be obtained on the Curry web site.
2. Teaching Associateship (student teaching practicum) in which students demonstrate an ability to integrate the theoretical concepts of education with academic material in a practical teaching experience. This associateship is equivalent to an entire semester’s course work (EDIS 5880: 12 credits). Degree candidates must complete the Teaching Associateship to earn a Master of Teaching degree.
3. Field Project/Comprehensive Examination approved by the program area advisor. In special cases, a master’s comprehensive examination may be required.
4. Satisfactory Academic Performance in courses required for the B.A. degree or teaching specialty. Courses taken at or below the 4000 level may be successfully completed with a passing grade of D- or better. Courses in the major must reflect a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better. Courses taken at the 5000 level or above require a minimum grade of B- or better; 5000-level courses in which a student has performed below the level of B- must be retaken, or a substitute professional course must be taken to replace the deficiency. The advisor and the Director of Teacher Education must approve course substitution or retaking a course. Program deficiencies may require that the student be suspended from the program.
5. Passing scores on Praxis II Examinations are required for initial licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia and for graduation.
6. An application for the Degree must be submitted by October 1 for January graduation, by February 1 for May graduation, and by June 1 for August graduation.
7. A passing score on the ETS exam, Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE), is required for students enrolled in Elementary and Special Education programs.
8. All applicants for licensure must complete the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA).

TED policies are listed in the Student Advising Handbook, which can be found on the Teacher Education website (http://curry.virginia.edu/teacher-education).

State Assessments of Teacher Education Under the Commonwealth of Virginia’s approved program status for schools of education, all students enrolled in a teacher education program at the University of Virginia must take the appropriate licensing exams required by the Commonwealth of Virginia for program area endorsements.

A testing schedule for all required tests is provided on the Curry website.

Transfer Credit A maximum of six transfer credits may be counted toward the M.T. degree. The advisor and the director of teacher education must approve credits.

Time Limit No requirements completed more than five years before the M.T. is to be awarded may be credited toward this degree. In special cases, an extension may be granted for emergency circumstances when approved by the advisor, the director of teacher education, and the dean’s office.

General Professional Development

Professional Development (PD) status is designed for those who hold at least a baccalaureate degree and wish to improve their professional skills by enrolling in individual courses. The link to the electronic application for permission to enroll as a PD student may be found on the Curry website (http://curry.virginia.edu/academics/degrees/non-degree). Enrollment in specific courses requires the approval of both the instructor and the advisor. If enrolling on a full-time basis (i.e., 12 credits per semester), PD students must take a minimum of one course in the Curry School of Education. PD students may enroll only in instructor-led classes. Enrollment in an independent study requires an independent studies contract (http://curry.virginia.edu/search/results-google?s=y&q=independent+study). During their enrollment, PD students are subject to the Graduate Academic Regulations of the Curry School of Education.

Any PD student who wishes to apply for a degree program must submit an online application, required test scores, at least two letters of recommendation, a complete transcript, and a current statement of professional goals. It is possible to apply up to 6 graduate credits toward a degree. The student’s advisor must approve such credit. All other University of Virginia course work must be earned after admission to a degree program. Students planning to become degree-seekers are responsible for knowing the requirements for admission to, and completion of, that degree.

Professional Development leading to Licensure or Endorsement Certificates

Curry offers a number of certificate programs (Administration and Supervision, Reading, Adolescent Literacy and Special Education). Applicants interested in these programs must submit an online application and any other materials required for admission. (See program-area web pages for additional information.). Students may apply up to 6 credits taken prior to admission to the certificate. They must earn grades of B- or better to remain enrolled in the program. All requirements must be completed within 5 years after admission.

For more information, go to the Curry website (http://curry.virginia.edu).