About the Program:

The Curriculum Studies concentration in the Ph. D. program focuses on normative curricular issues as a field of inquiry and develops strengths in the areas of understanding and addressing the complex and multiple questions that influence curriculum theory, design, development, delivery, assessment, and evaluation.  The primary goal of this program is to prepare curriculum leaders, researchers, and professors with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to analyze, construct, and evaluate curricula in ways that create optimal learning conditions for all learners. This comprehensive preparation will enable graduates to examine unconscious assumptions and identify complex challenges associated with working in schools and other institutions in a multicultural democracy. Consequently, particular attention is devoted to the philosophical, theoretical, historical, cultural, ethical, and political constructs and assumptions that affect curricula, including courses and programs. 

Standards

Program work within Curriculum Studies is developed and guided by a strong conceptual framework, standards from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the professional judgment of an experienced and caring faculty.

Degree programs of study

There are two degree programs within Curriculum Studies.  

• Individuals who already possess a bachelor’s degree may enter a program culminating with a Master’s of Education Degree.
• An advanced graduate program culminates in a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

The above programs are described in detail in a variety of online documents that are accessed through the links found on this homepage.

Students have considerable flexibility in selecting courses for the Curriculum Studies concentration. However, they are required to take at least one course in six (6) of the following complementary domains: (1) philosophical issues and curriculum, (2) political issues and curriculum, (3) cultural issues and curriculum, (4) ethical issues and curriculum, (5) evaluation issues and curriculum, (6) language issues and curriculum, (7) gender issues and curriculum, and (8) technological issues and curriculum. While most of the courses offered in the concentration are in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, approved courses throughout the College of Education and University may be selected.
Courses that are offered to meet these eight requirements include (1) philosophical issues and curriculum: EDCI 6331 John Dewey’s Theory of Education or EDCI 6320 Curriculum Theory: Inquiry—A Critical Study of the Historical Development of the Curriculum, (2) political issues and curriculum: EDCI 6306 Seminar—Critical Social Theory  or EDCI 6306 Seminar—Paulo Freire, (3) cultural issues and curriculum: EDCI 6333 Diversity Ideologies or EDCI 6306 Foundations of Culture and Curriculum, (4) ethical issues and curriculum: EDCI 6306 Seminar—Ethics and Teaching or EDCI 6306 Seminar—Foundations of Values Education Curricula, (5) evaluation issues and curriculum: EDCI 6306 Seminar— Curriculum Evaluation:  Challenges & Opportunities or  EPSY 5356 Principles of Educational and Psychological Measurement, (6) language issues and curriculum: EDBL 5332 Foundations of Bilingual Education or EDLL 6341 Problems, Trends, and Issues in Literacy Teaching and Learning , (7) gender issues and curriculum: EDCI 5306 Seminar—Developing Gender Informed Curricula or EDCI 6306 Seminar—Gender and Academic Achievement: Etiology and Interventions, (8) technology issues and curriculum: EDCI 6306 Seminar— Technology as Tool and Curriculum:  Problems & Potentials or EDCI 6306 Seminar—Media, Society, and the Curriculum. Other courses may be substituted with the approval of one’s advisor.

Minor or Area of Interest

Students are strongly encouraged to consider selecting a Minor or Area of Interest (15 hours) that complements their Curriculum Studies concentration and enhances their opportunities to achieve their professional goals. In making these choices, students are advised to consider developing one or more strengths in the following fields: Bilingual Education, Educational Instructional Technology, Educational Psychology, Elementary Education, Language and Literacy, Mathematics Education, Middle School Education, Science Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, Teacher Education. In consultation with their advisors, students select a Minor or Area of Interest.