Students in the PhD in Curriculum and Instruction study the interactions between learners, teachers, and subject matter. Designed for students interested in research about and leadership in teaching and learning environments, this program develops educators as researchers and advanced professionals in education.

The PhD in Curriculum and Instruction is a 60 semester hour program. Students take core educational courses along with courses selected with faculty based on the student's interests and goals. The program culminates with the completion of original research addressing a problem in curriculum and instruction based on the student's area of concentration. Coursework can be completed on campus or through a combination of on-campus and online courses. 

There are two areas of concentration.

Curriculum and Instruction: For students interested in focused study of teaching and learning environments in a particular area such as English language arts, reading, mathematics, science, or social studies or in broader issues of curriculum and instruction.

Special Education: For students interested in focused study of the nature and needs of learners with special needs including early intervention, preschool special needs, high incidence conditions (e.g. learning disability, intellectual disability, emotional disturbance), severe disabilities (e.g. physical, cognitive and social-emotional), transition, and behavior disorders. This concentration is completed online.

Admission to the PhD in Curriculum and Instruction

In addition to admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, admission to the doctoral program requires the following:

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university

• Previous academic work necessary to successfully complete a doctoral program in the area of study

• Evidence of research and writing ability such as a master’s thesis, proctored writing sample, a written research report, one or more reprints of publications, a paper presented to a professional society, or similar evidence of competence

• A statement of purpose that describes why you wish to pursue this doctoral program and includes information on previous study, educational experience, professional accomplishments, immediate and future professional goals, a proposed time schedule for completing the degree, and any other information that you believe is relevant for admission into this doctoral degree program

• Three letters of recommendation regarding  your potential for doing doctoral level work. Letters should be recommendations from professionals who are knowledgeable about your ability to engage in graduate work in this doctoral degree program

What to Submit with Your Application 

• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education

• A sample of academic writing (e.g. report, thesis, project, or academic paper)

• Statement of purpose

• Three letters of recommendation 

Degree Requirements By Concentration

• Curriculum and Instruction
• Special Education

 Curriculum and Instruction

For the Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction degree, students must complete the following program requirements:

• A minimum of 60 semester credit hours of approved doctoral level (7000/8000 level) course work

• 21 credit hours of specialization in curriculum and instruction

• 15 credit hours of research tools including courses in quantitative research, qualitative research, and independent research

• 9 credit hours in a supporting area

• A written comprehensive program examination

• An oral comprehensive program examination after passing the written examination

• 15 credit hours of dissertation research

• An oral presentation and defense of a dissertation research proposal

• An oral presentation and defense of the completed dissertation research in a public forum

• A written document of the completed dissertation research in approved style and format

All coursework and requirements of the doctoral degree must be taken within a seven-year period immediately preceding the date the degree is awarded.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

COURSEWORK PHASE

• A doctoral program committee is required before the completion of 18 credit hours. The doctoral program committee has a minimum of three members who are selected from the membership of the graduate faculty of the University. The doctoral program committee is responsible for assisting the student in the development of a plan of study and assuring competence by overseeing the comprehensive program written examination and the comprehensive program oral examination.

Program Examinations

• A written comprehensive program examination
• An oral comprehensive program examination after successful completion of the written examination

DISSERTATION RESEARCH PHASE

• A doctoral dissertation committee is required immediately after the completion of the required coursework, comprehensive program written examination, and comprehensive program oral examination. The dissertation committee has a minimum of four graduate faculty members including one who is not in the discipline major. The dissertation committee is responsible for guiding dissertation research and approving the dissertation concept, research proposal, and the completed dissertation research, both the written dissertation and oral dissertation defense. Students must work closely with the committee throughout the dissertation process. 

• All research with human subjects must be approved by the Institutional Research Board before beginning any phase of the research study. Student must complete IRB training as defined by the University's Human Research Protection Program.

• A public defense of the dissertation is required.

• The final written dissertation must be approved by the dissertation committee and formatted according the guidelines of the college and the College of Graduate Study. Electronic submission of the dissertation to OhioLINK ​is mandatory.

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 Special Education

For the Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction degree, students must complete the following program requirements:

• A minimum of 60 semester credit hours of approved doctoral level (7000/8000 level) course work

• 21 credit hours of specialization in special education

• 15 credit hours in research tools including quantitative research, qualitative research, and independent research

• 9 credit hours of supporting courses from other doctoral areas in the College

• A written comprehensive program examination

• An oral comprehensive program examination after passing the written examination

• 15 credit hours of dissertation research

• An oral presentation and defense of a dissertation research proposal

• An oral presentation and defense of the completed dissertation research in a public forum

• A written document of the completed dissertation research in approved style and format

All coursework and requirements of the doctoral degree must be taken within a seven-year period immediately preceding the date the degree is awarded.

ADDITIONAL pROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

COURSEWORK PHASE

• A doctoral program committee is required before the completion of 18 credit hours. The doctoral program committee has a minimum of three members who are selected from the membership of the graduate faculty of the University. The doctoral program committee is responsible for assisting the student in the development of a plan of study and assuring competence by overseeing the comprehensive program written examination and the comprehensive program oral examination.

Program Examinations

• A written comprehensive program examination
• An oral comprehensive program examination after successful completion of the written examination

DISSERTATION RESEARCH PHASE

• A doctoral dissertation committee is required immediately after the completion of the required coursework, the comprehensive program written examination, and the comprehensive program oral examination. The dissertation committee has a minimum of four graduate faculty members including one who is not in the discipline major. The dissertation committee is responsible for guiding dissertation research and approving the dissertation concept, research proposal, and the completed dissertation research, both the written dissertation and oral dissertation defense. Students must work closely with the committee throughout the dissertation process. 

• All research with human subjects must be approved by the Institutional Research Board before beginning any phase of the research study. Student must complete IRB training as defined by the University's Human Research Protection Program.

• A public defense of the dissertation is required.

• The final written dissertation must be approved by the dissertation committee and formatted according the guidelines of the college and the College of Graduate Study. Electronic submission of the dissertation to OhioLINK ​is mandatory.

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Plan of study By Concentration

• Curriculum and Instruction
• Special Education

 Curriculum and Instruction

Below is a guide for developing a Plan of Study for the PhD in Curriculum and Instruction. Students should review their degree audit and work with their faculty advisor to identify specific courses to fulfill program requirements. 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Specialization in Curriculum and Instruction
EDU 7000	Introduction to Doctoral Studies	3
CIEC 8320	Meaning And Development Of Play Behavior	3
CIEC 8330	Language And Concept Development	3
CI 8650	Teacher Learning and Education	3
CI 8830	Curriculum Trends And Issues	3
EDP 7110	Advanced Educational Psychology	3
TSOC 8310	Major Educational Theorists	3
Research Tools
EDU 7100	Quantitative Research Foundations: Concepts and Practice	3
EDU 7200	Foundations of Qualitative Research	3
EDU 7300	Foundations of Theory	3
CI 8930	Independent Research In Curriculum And Instruction	3
Select one of the following:		3
EDU 8100	Literacy in Advanced Quantitative Methods
EDU 8400	Advanced Seminar in Research
Supporting Area		9
Select 9 credits from one area below
Special Education Supporting Area
SPED 7250	Assessment and Planning in Transition Education and Services
SPED 8430	Policy and Leadership in Special Education
CI 8370	Fundamentals Of Grant Writing
Early Childhood Supporting Areas
CIEC 8310	Pre-K/Primary Curriculum
CIEC 8950	Theory And Research In Early Childhood
SPED 7270	Team Models And Community Networking In Early Intervention
SPED 7280	Management Of The Learning Environment In Early Childhood Special Education
SPED 8070	Curriculum Models And Intervention Strategies In Early Childhood Special Education
Educational Psychology Supporting Area
EDP 8160	Self and Identity
EDP 8120	School Violence Theory, Prevention, and Intervention
EDP 8270	Parenting: Theory And Research
Theory and Social Foundations Supporting Area
TSOC 7110	Modern Educational Controversies
TSOC 7600	Foundations of Peace Education
TSOC 8140	School-State Relations
TSOC 7210	Social Justice in American Society
Literacy Supporting Area
CI 8400	Trends In Literacy Acquisition
CI 8410	Content Area Literacy
CI 8430	Diagnosis Of Reading Disability
Program Examinations
Approval of Written Exam(s)
Approval of Oral Exam(s)
Dissertation Research		15
CI 8960	Dissertation In Curriculum And Instruction
Approval of Research Proposal
Approval of Oral Presentation of Dissertation Research
Approval of Dissertation Final Document
Total Hours		60

 Special Education

Guide for Developing a Plan of Study

Below is a guide for developing a Plan of Study for the PhD in Curriculum and Instruction. Students should review their degree audit and work with their faculty advisor to identify specific courses to fulfill program requirements. 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Specialization in Special Education
EDU 7000	Introduction to Doctoral Studies	3
SPED 8430	Policy and Leadership in Special Education	3
SPED 8450	Adaptive Development and Support Systems in Special Education	3
SPED 8460	Evidence-Based Practices in Special Education	3
SPED 8490	Collaborative Research in Advanced Special Education	3
CI 8370	Fundamentals Of Grant Writing	3
RESM 8360	Program Evaluation	3
Research Tools
EDU 7100	Quantitative Research Foundations: Concepts and Practice	3
EDU 7200	Foundations of Qualitative Research	3
EDU 7300	Foundations of Theory	3
SPED 8900	Independent Research In Special Education	3
Select one of the following:		3
EDU 8100	Literacy in Advanced Quantitative Methods
EDU 8400	Advanced Seminar in Research
Supporting Area		9
Select 9 credits from other doctoral areas in the College following advisor guidance
Program Examinations
Approval of Written Exam(s)
Approval of Oral Exam(s)
Dissertation Research		15
SPED 8960	Doctoral Dissertation In Curriculum & Instruction
Approval of Research Proposal
Approval of Oral Presentation of Dissertation Research
Approval of Dissertation Final Document
Total Hours		60

• PLO 1: Students will be able to critically analyze research and theory in the field of curriculum studies.
• PLO 2: Students will be able to conduct qualitative and/or quantitative research to address critical research questions.
• PLO 3: Students will develop a conceptual and theoretical base in their area of specialization (special education, early childhood education, etc.)
• PLO 4: Students will develop skills necessary to construct and disseminate knowledge in their field.
• PLO 5: Students will conduct original research that addresses current challenges and advances knowledge within their area of specialization.