Education, Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Curriculum and Instruction, EdD and PhD

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Faculty: Faculty are listed with participating programs and departments (e.g., School of Teacher Education and Leadership, Technology and Engineering 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 in education or a closely related field.
4. An official report of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
5. 700-900 word essay and resume/vita.

Applicants to the Curriculum and Instruction PhD and EdD degrees must have two years of 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 prepares candidates to conceptualize and apply reseach within professional practice. It is designed for graduates who will serve as curriculum and instructional leaders in public or private education.  The PhD prepares candidates for careers in university settings. It is designed for graduates who will have significant research and higher education teaching responsibilities.

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. Complete and satisfactorily defend a doctoral research study directed and judged by a supervisory committee of faculty.
5. 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. 

USU 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.
• Additional departmental requirements.  

Doctorate in Education Residency Requirements

All EdD students must:

• Present once at a state, regional or national professional conference.
• Publish or be actively engaged in the process of publishing your scholarship in a peer reviewed professional journal.

EdD students extend their immersion in the scholarship and practice of educational leadership in a number of ways:

• Research and creative endeavors: (e.g., participate in action research or program evaluation; participate in research project within current professional context; write/co-write a grant to fund a school or district-based project; contribute to education newsletters or local publications?
• Immersion in the culture of graduate education: (e.g., attend program sponsored seminars and presentations; initiate and/or participate in coursework study groups; serve on committees within the department, college or university; complete coursework or professional development experiences beyond program requirements)
• Engagement in professional activities: (e.g., lead program or professional development seminars in school settings; participate in policy change processes; apply course content in education settings; organize professional meetings at the local or state level; collaborate with school stakeholders; work on local or state wide curriculum development committees)

All PhD students must:

• Present once at a state, regional or national professional conference.
• Publish or be actively engaged in the process of publishing your scholarship in a peer reviewed professional journal.

PhD students participate with faculty to extend their immersion in academia in a number of ways:

• Research and creative endeavors: (e.g., participate in research project; participate in a grant funded project;apply for graduate student funding; write/co-write a grant to fund a research project; publish an article in professional organization’s newsletter; publish a book review)
• Immersion in the culture of graduate education: (e.g., participate in scholarly discussion or writing groups; participate in graduate student organizations and events; serve on committees within the department, college or university; complete coursework or immersion on literature beyond program requirements)
• Engagement in professional activities: (e.g., teach a college course; work as a research or teaching assistant at the college level; conduct a guest lecture or workshop; attend local, regional or national scholarly professional meetings; hold office in local, regional or national scholarly professional meetings; organize informal seminars, consortia or orientation programs; serve as a reviewer for a professional conference or journal)

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 education 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.