Curriculum and Instruction
The Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction provides the knowledge and skills to individuals concerned with the research, design, teaching, assessment, and professional development related to P-20 education.
The program is designed for educators who aspire to lead the development of curriculum for the 21st century. Graduates will demonstrate real-world and scholarly knowledge to improve the performance of educational institutions.
Program Objectives
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Curriculum and Instruction prepares scholar professionals to apply theoretical foundations in curriculum and instruction. The program fosters the advanced skills to research, design, develop, implement, evaluate and disseminate innovative educational content in a variety of learning environments to improve student achievement and to affect positive societal change. In addition, the program prepares leaders to work with faculty at the P-20 levels to enhance the quality of instruction focused on excellent, effective curriculum development and instructional strategies. Upon completion of this program, students are able to:
- Analyze social, historical, and policy factors in the development and current practices of curriculum and instruction.
- Apply research processes within the field of curriculum and instruction, including practical design, analysis, and reporting.
- Create a shared vision of a learning culture by understanding and responding to the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural environment.
- Evaluate and apply best practices in instruction using effective teaching practices, emerging technologies, and assessment techniques to achieve optimal educational outcomes.
- Advance the body of knowledge through relevant, reflective, research, and scholarship.
- Demonstrate professional communication skills in writing through organizing, thinking critically, and communicating ideas and information in documents, presentations, and publications
Prerequisites for Major Courses
Master degree from an accredited institution.
Program Outline
To receive a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction degree, students must earn 60 graduate semester credit hours. Fifty-four of the program hours must be completed through BSU.
Program requirements are as follows:
| Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction (60 credit hours) | |
| Foundational Courses (15.0 credit hours) | |
| Ethical and Legal Issues in Education/Leadership | 3.0 credit hours |
| Policy, Politics, and Community Relations (program prerequisite course) | 3.0 credit hours |
| Curriculum Design | 3.0 credit hours |
| Classroom Management | 3.0 credit hours |
| Leading Technology Innovation | 3.0 credit hours |
| Curriculum and Instruction Core Courses (18.0 credit hours) | |
| Differentiated Instruction | 3.0 credit hours |
| Curriculum: Advanced Theory and Research | 3.0 credit hours |
| Instruction: Advanced Theory and Research | 3.0 credit hours |
| Assessment for Student Learning | 3.0 credit hours |
| Curriculum and Instruction for Professional Development | 3.0 credit hours |
| Instructional Design Theory | 3.0 credit hours |
| Research Courses (15.0 credit hours) | |
| Quantitative Research I | 3.0 credit hours |
| Quantitative Research II | 3.0 credit hours |
| Qualitative Research | 3.0 credit hours |
| Mixed Methods | 3.0 credit hours |
| Advanced Research: Pre-Proposal and Literature Review | 3.0 credit hours |
| Dissertation Courses (12.0 credit hours) | |
| Dissertation | 2.0 credit hours |
| Residency Requirement | |
| Doctor of Philosophy Residency | 3.0 credit hours |
| Doctor of Philosophy Residency Two | 3.0 credit hours |
