Mar 28, 2024  
2011-2012 General Catalog 
    
2011-2012 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Education, PhD


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Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

School of Teacher Education and Leadership

Education, Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Curriculum and Instruction


Director, Curriculum and Instruction Doctoral Program:

Martha L. Whitaker, Associate Department Head, School of Teacher Education and Leadership

Location: Emma Eccles Jones Education 399
Phone: (435) 797-0384
FAX: (435) 797-0372
E-mail: martha.whitaker@usu.edu
WWW: http://teal.usu.edu/htm/graduate-programs/

Faculty: Faculty are listed with participating programs and departments (e.g., Elementary Education Program, Secondary Education Program, Engineering and Technology Education Department, and Agricultural Systems Technology and Education Department)

Degrees offered: Doctorate of Education (EdD) and Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD)

Graduate specialization: PhD or EdD—Curriculum and Instruction

Admission Requirements

For admission information, contact: Dean, School of Graduate Studies, Utah State University, 0900 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322-0900; telephone (435) 797-1189; FAX (435) 797-1192; or visit: http://www.usu.edu/graduateschool/

To be evaluated against established criteria, students must submit to the School of Graduate Studies at Utah State University an Application for Admission along with the following:

  1. A copy of transcripts of both undergraduate and graduate credits from all colleges or universities attended. An average grade of B (3.0) or better is required during the last two years of undergraduate work and for all graduate work.
  2. Three letters of recommendation (required). At least two of these letters should come from individuals who can evaluate the student’s academic abilities. All letters should address the student’s potential for successful graduate study.
  3. Documentation of a master’s degree or equivalent coursework related to an area of specialization, or a statement of why admission is sought without a master’s degree.
  4. An official report of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), including both the Verbal and the Quantitative subtests.
  5. Evidence of writing competency.
  6. A statement of specific reasons for wanting to enroll in the Curriculum and Instruction doctoral program. This essay is completed as part of the School of Graduate Studies online application.

Applicants to the Curriculum and Instruction PhD and EdD degrees must have the equivalent of two years of appropriate teaching experience.

General Information About Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction (C & I)

Both the Doctorate of Education (EdD) and the Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) degrees are offered through the School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services (CEHS). The C & I specialization prepares graduates for leadership, teaching, and research positions in curriculum and instruction.

The EdD degree program is intended for students who wish to be better prepared to (1) understand and deal effectively with curricular and instructional problems as administrators, supervisors, and curriculum specialists in public or private educational institutions and settings; and (2) teach in community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities. Areas of emphasis within the EdD include early childhood; engineering and technology education; instructional leadership; literacy; math education and leadership; and cultural studies. The PhD degree program is intended for students who wish to be better prepared to (1) fulfill roles in teaching and research in colleges, universities, and education-related fields; and (2) conduct and direct research and development activities in public and private educational settings or in the corporate sector. Areas of emphasis are more flexible within the Curriculum and Instruction PhD program and are developed by each student with his or her doctoral committee.

Planned Program

To complete a doctorate degree (PhD or EdD), a minimum of 60 total credits are required for students with a master’s degree, and a minimum of 90 total credits are required for students without a master’s degree. A student must:

  1. Complete a Unifying Curriculum and Instruction Program of Studies Core (12-15 semester credits) and a Research and Statistics Core (12 semester credits).
  2. Complete a planned program of supporting electives, as approved by the student’s supervisory committee.
  3. Pass a written comprehensive examination. This exam must be satisfactorily completed before the student advances to candidacy. Advancement to candidacy also requires an approved dissertation proposal.
  4. Present at a professional conference.
  5. Submit for publication an approved manuscript.
  6. Complete and satisfactorily defend a doctoral research study directed and judged by a supervisory committee of faculty.
  7. Complete all final requirements, as specified by the Curriculum and Instruction specialization, the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, and the School of Graduate Studies. 

Doctoral Residency Requirement

The purpose of the residency requirement is to ensure that the doctoral student experience includes at least one period of concentrated attention to study, research, and interaction with faculty. This period of immersion in the culture of students’ departments is an important part of their preparation for future work in academic communities. The residency requirement for doctoral studies (PhD, EdD, and professional doctoral degrees) consists of the following:

Credits for residency. At least 33 USU semester credits from an approved Program of Study are required for doctoral students. The balance of credits may be from USU or from other institutions, subject to transfer credit limits and the approval of the student’s supervisory committee.

Participation in the academic community. Meeting the residency requirement also means that doctoral students must take part in the academic community of their program. Participation could include collaborative scholarship with faculty or peers, working as a research assistant or graduate instructor, attending professional meetings, being involved with student or professional organizations, and participating in colloquia, orientation programs, etc. This participation may or may not coincide with the period of concentrated study. Departments have the responsibility to determine appropriate ways for their doctoral students to participate in the academic life of their field and to provide opportunities for this participation.

Certification of residency. Residency is certified by the graduate supervisory committee. The required credits and the student’s participation in the academic and intellectual life of the program are noted as acceptable by signatures on the application for candidacy form.

Each degree program may set more intense requirements for residency. Students should review college, departmental, and program requirements.

The following are suggested criteria for determining when a student has met the residency requirement. They should be checked and dated as completed and noted in the Degree Candidacy form.

The candidate:

  • Has been directly engaged in research or creative endeavors with the major professor;
  • Has had access to the required equipment and resources needed for the research or creative efforts;
  • Has been immersed in the culture or atmosphere of graduate education;
  • Has been engaged in the professional activities of the discipline; and
  • Has had the time to concentrate and complete the research or creative activity in a reasonable period.
  • Has been engaged in additional departmental residential requirements (please list).
  • Additional departmental requirements.  

Research

Each student must complete a significant research study; present at a professional conference; and prepare an article for publication in an appropriate journal, based on the completed research and/or program of study.

Financial Assistance

Students should contact department heads for all inquiries regarding assistantships and tuition waivers. Applications for University assistantships, fellowships, and all financial aid are processed through department offices. For a listing of fellowships and scholarships, see the Graduate Financial Assistance  section of this catalog.

Career Opportunities

The doctoral specialization prepares educational leaders for positions as college and university researchers and teachers in education and education-related fields. Recipients of the doctorate degree are also prepared to conduct and direct research and development activities in public or private educational agencies or in the corporate sector; teach in community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities; serve as supervisors and curriculum specialists in public or private educational institutions and settings; and serve in a variety of other careers.

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