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Curriculum and Instruction, Ph.D.

Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University's doctoral program in curriculum and instruction is designed for individuals who work in educational settings — including schools, nonprofits and community organizations — and who wish to deepen their knowledge of teaching and learning.

SLU students choose a research focus that is informed by their work as practitioners and that addresses problems of practice in education. With an emphasis on issues of social justice and educational equity, the program prepares students to produce original research and advocate for educational change. Ìý

Curriculum Overview

This doctoral program emphasizes the tools of research and the interplay of theory and practice in education. The degree requires the completion of 36 credits of coursework, 12 credits of dissertation research, a comprehensive written examination, an oral examination/proposal defense, and a public presentation and defense of the dissertation. Up to six credits of graduate-level research coursework may be considered for transfer.

Careers

Possible career paths for graduates with advanced degreesÌýin curriculum and instruction include faculty positions in colleges and universities, positions in research institutes and organizations,Ìýcurriculum coordinators/teacher leaders, teacher educators, educational outreach coordinators, nonprofit specialists, special educators and adult educators.

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree from aÌýregionally accreditedÌý¾±²Ô²õ³Ù¾±³Ù³Ü³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô.
  • Transcript(s)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • GRE or other applicable graduate entry exam scores
  • ¸éé²õ³Ü³¾Ã©
  • Professional goal statement

Requirements for International Students

Along with the general admission requirements above, the following must be provided by prospective international students:

  • Demonstration ofÌýEnglish Language Proficiency.
  • Proof of financial support that must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University.
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University.
  • Academic records, in English translation, for postsecondary studies outside the United States. These must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Please note that application deadlines for this program differ for international students.

Review Process

A committee reviews each application holistically.

Application Deadlines

Domestic students should apply for the fall semester by June 15, for the spring semester by Nov. 1, and for the summer semester by April 1.
International students should apply by May 1 for the fall semester, Oct.1 for the spring semester, and Feb. 1 for the summer semester.Ìý Ìý

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Graduate Tuition $1,370

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for graduate assistantships, apply by Jan. 15.

For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

  1. Graduates will be able toÌýexplain learning and curriculum theories.
  2. Graduates will be able toÌýresearch questions in the field of curriculum and instruction.
  3. Graduates will be able toÌýanalyze social justice issues in education.
  4. Graduates will be able toÌýexplain how learning and curriculum theories are used to develop education programs.
  5. Graduates will be able toÌýuse oral and written communication.

SLU's Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction is a 48-credit (36 credits of coursework plus 12 credits of dissertation research) degree program beyond the master's degree.

Curriculum and Instruction6
Select six credits of the following:
·¡¶Ù±õÌý6460
Curriculum Theory
´Ç°ùÌý·¡¶Ù¹óÌý6650
Seminar: History of American Education
·¡±Ê·¡Ìý5050
Proseminar on Ed ÀË»¨Ö±²¥
·¡¶Ù±õÌý6950
Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams
Content Electives12
Select 12 credits of the following:
·¡¶Ù¹óÌý5300
Advanced Educational Psychology
·¡¶Ù¹óÌý5600
Foundations of Urban Education
·¡¶Ù¹óÌý5700
Advanced Growth and Development
·¡¶Ù¹óÌý6600
Education in American Culture
·¡¶Ù¹óÌý6650
Seminar: History of American Education
·¡¶Ù¹óÌý6700
Reimagining Schools for Equity, Justice, & Healing
·¡¶Ù¹óÌý6870
Seminar: Current Educational Problems
·¡¶Ù±õÌý5040
Using Children's YA Literature to Promote Conversations about Equity and Justice
·¡¶Ù±õÌý5390
Teaching Reading: Contemporary Issues & Practices
·¡¶Ù±õÌý5590
Disciplinary Literacy Assessment & Intervention
·¡¶Ù±õÌý5601
Language & Culture
·¡¶Ù±õÌý5650
Racial Literacy and Antiracist Praxis
·¡¶Ù±õÌý5800
Talking and Learning in Classrooms
·¡¶Ù±õÌý5810
Curriculum and Instruction Summer Institute
·¡¶Ù±õÌý5900
Developing and Implementing a Culturally Responsive Curriculum through Instruction and Assessment
·¡¶Ù±õÌý5920
Collaborative Leadership and Communication
·¡¶Ù±õÌý6030
Developing Writers and Thinkers: Advanced Methods of Teaching Writing
·¡¶Ù±õÌý6450
Curriculum Development
·¡¶Ù±õÌý6550
Principles of Assessment for Education Settings
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý5500
Evaluation of Education Programs
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý5800
Action ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ for Teachers
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý6350
Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs
·¡¶Ù³§±ÊÌý5100
Comparative Theories and Practice to Address Challenging Behaviors
·¡¶Ù³§±ÊÌý5200
Mental Health Literacy
·¡¶Ù³§±ÊÌý5240
Classroom Organization and Management (Early Childhood, ECSE, Elementary, Special Education)
·¡¶Ù³§±ÊÌý5310
Advanced Studies in Psych/Educ the Exceptional Child
·¡¶Ù³§±ÊÌý5350
Differentiated Instruction: Theories and Practice
·¡¶Ù³§±ÊÌý5400
Teaching Everyone: Identifying Supports for Educational Access
·¡¶Ù³§±ÊÌý6110
Special Education Administration
·¡±Ê·¡Ìý5050
Proseminar on Ed ÀË»¨Ö±²¥
·¡±Ê·¡Ìý5250
Contemporary Issues in Education Policy
·¡±Ê·¡Ìý6250
Economics of Education
·¡±Ê·¡Ìý6650
Applied ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ and Reporting
³§°¿°äÌý5850
Policy Evaluation and Assessment
³§°¿°äÌý6250
Poverty, Inequality and Public Policy
ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Courses
Required ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Courses12
Advanced ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Courses6
Dissertation ÀË»¨Ö±²¥
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý6990Dissertation ÀË»¨Ö±²¥12
Total Credits48

Required ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Courses

Students are required to successfully complete the following four research courses. Up to six credits may be considered for transfer based on students’ prior coursework. Ìý

·¡¶Ù¸éÌý5000General ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Methods for Education3
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý5100Intro to Inferential Stats: Ed3
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý5400Qualitative ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ in Education3
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý6700Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks in Education ÀË»¨Ö±²¥3

Advanced ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Electives

Students choose six credits of research electives from either the qualitative or quantitative focus (see lists below).

Qualitative ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Focus (choose two courses from the following:)
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý5500
Evaluation of Education Programs
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý6400
Advanced Qual ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ for Ed
·¡¶Ù±õÌý5800
Talking and Learning in Classrooms
Quantitative ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Focus (choose two courses from the following:)
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý6060
ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Design and Analysis
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý6100
Intermediate Applied Statistics for Education
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý6500
Multilevel Regression Models
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý6600
Designing Mixed Methods ÀË»¨Ö±²¥

Non-Course Requirements

  • Students must pass a comprehensive written examination upon completion of all required and elective courses.
  • Students must pass an oral examination/proposal defense.
  • Students must pass a public presentation and defense of their dissertation.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentÌýunless otherwise noted. Ìý

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
·¡±Ê·¡Ìý5050 Proseminar on Ed ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ 3
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý5000 General ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Methods for Education 3
ÌýCredits6
Spring
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý5400 Qualitative ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ in Education 3
Content elective OR research elective (see below) 3
ÌýCredits6
Summer
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý5100 Intro to Inferential Stats: Ed 3
ÌýCredits3
Year Two
Fall
·¡¶Ù±õÌý6460
or ·¡¶Ù¹óÌý6650
Curriculum Theory
or Seminar: History of American Education
3
Content elective OR research elective (see below) 3
ÌýCredits6
Spring
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý6700 Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks in Education ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ 3
Content elective OR research elective (see below) 3
ÌýCredits6
Year Three
Fall
Content elective OR research elective (see below) 3
Content elective OR research elective (see below) 3
ÌýCredits6
Spring
Content Elective 3
·¡¶Ù±õÌý6950 Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams (Please register in your advisor’s section number.) 0
ÌýCredits3
Year Four
Fall
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý6990 Dissertation ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ (Please register in your advisor’s section number.) 6
ÌýCredits6
Spring
·¡¶Ù¸éÌý6990 Dissertation ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ (Please register in your advisor’s section number.) 6
ÌýCredits6
ÌýTotal Credits48

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact:
Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University School of Education
314-977-3292
slued@slu.edu