Planned Program

To complete a Ph.D. degree, a minimum of 60 total credits (6000 level or above) is required for students who previously earned a Master’s degree. A student must:

Complete (a) Curriculum and Instruction Core (10 semester credits), (b) Research Methods Core (12 semester credits), and Concentration Area Core (12-21 credits), approved by the student’s Supervisory Committee.
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.
Complete and satisfactorily defend a doctoral research study directed and evaluated by a Supervisory Committee of USU Graduate Faculty.
Complete all degree 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.

Ph.D. Residency Professional Requirements

The Ph.D. prepares candidates for careers in university settings, school districts, or research institutes. It is designed for graduates who will have significant leadership, research and/or higher education teaching responsibilities.

All PhD students must:

Present once at a state, regional, or national professional conference
Submit a manuscript to 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 a 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 of writing groups; participate in graduate student organizations and events; serve on committees within the department, college, or university; complete coursework or immersion in 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)

School of Graduate Studies Requirements

Degree Verification: A Master’s degree from an accredited U. S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission. An official transcript must be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies.
Overall Graduate GPA at least 3.0 and no grades of C- or lower; Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Grades of C- or lower will not be accepted for a graduate degree.
Course Number Acceptability: The program of study for a doctoral degree cannot include courses at the 5000 level. Credits . Credits of courses at the 6000 level or above are required
Matriculation Start Semester: A doctoral degree must be completed within eight years of entering the degree program. Additional time may be requested by the student’s committee and submitted to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for review.
Coursework Validity: Coursework over eight years old at the time of degree completion may not be used for a graduate degree unless it is revalidated by the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies.
Required Forms:

Ph.D. program forms are available on the School of Graduate Studies forms website and the TEAL Service Now forms website.

Supervisory Committee Form
Program of Study
Application for Candidacy
Appointment for Exam
Record of Exam
Authorship & Copyright
Format and Style
Title Page
Graduation Application
TEAL Thesis/Dissertation Credit Request Form
TEAL Annual Review
TEAL Dissertation Proposal/Defense Request Form
TEAL Professional Requirements From
TEAL Comprehensive Exam Request Form

Education: Curriculum and Instruction Specialization - PhD

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Program Overview

Program Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes