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Curriculum and Instruction, Ph.D.

Saint Louis University's doctoral program in curriculum and instruction is designed for individuals who work in educational settings — including schools, nonprofits and community organizations — and who wish to deepen their knowledge of teaching and learning.

SLU students choose a research focus that is informed by their work as practitioners and that addresses problems of practice in education. With an emphasis on issues of social justice and educational equity, the program prepares students to produce original research and advocate for educational change.  

Curriculum Overview

This doctoral program emphasizes the tools of research and the interplay of theory and practice in education. The degree requires the completion of 36 credits of coursework, 12 credits of dissertation research, a comprehensive written examination, an oral examination/proposal defense, and a public presentation and defense of the dissertation. Up to six credits of graduate-level research coursework may be considered for transfer.

Careers

Possible career paths for graduates with advanced degrees in curriculum and instruction include faculty positions in colleges and universities, positions in research institutes and organizations, curriculum coordinators/teacher leaders, teacher educators, educational outreach coordinators, nonprofit specialists, special educators and adult educators.

Admission Requirements

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  • Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Transcript(s)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • GRE or other applicable graduate entry exam scores
  • Résumé
  • Professional goal statement

Requirements for International Students

Along with the general admission requirements above, the following must be provided by prospective international students:

  • Demonstration of English Language Proficiency.
  • Proof of financial support that must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University.
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University.
  • Academic records, in English translation, for postsecondary studies outside the United States. These must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Please note that application deadlines for this program differ for international students.

Review Process

A committee reviews each application holistically.

Application Deadlines

Domestic students should apply for the fall semester by June 15, for the spring semester by Nov. 1, and for the summer semester by April 1.
International students should apply by May 1 for the fall semester, Oct.1 for the spring semester, and Feb. 1 for the summer semester.   

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Graduate Tuition $1,370

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for graduate assistantships, apply by Jan. 15.

For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

  1. Graduates will be able to explain learning and curriculum theories.
  2. Graduates will be able to research questions in the field of curriculum and instruction.
  3. Graduates will be able to analyze social justice issues in education.
  4. Graduates will be able to explain how learning and curriculum theories are used to develop education programs.
  5. Graduates will be able to use oral and written communication.

SLU's Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction is a 48-credit (36 credits of coursework plus 12 credits of dissertation research) degree program beyond the master's degree.

Curriculum and Instruction6
Select six credits of the following:
EDI 6460
Curriculum Theory
or EDF 6650
Seminar: History of American Education
EPE 5050
Proseminar on Ed Research
EDI 6950
Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams
Content Electives12
Select 12 credits of the following:
EDF 5300
Advanced Educational Psychology
EDF 5600
Foundations of Urban Education
EDF 5700
Advanced Growth and Development
EDF 6600
Education in American Culture
EDF 6650
Seminar: History of American Education
EDF 6700
Reimagining Schools for Equity, Justice, & Healing
EDF 6870
Seminar: Current Educational Problems
EDI 5040
Using Children's YA Literature to Promote Conversations about Equity and Justice
EDI 5390
Teaching Reading: Contemporary Issues & Practices
EDI 5590
Disciplinary Literacy Assessment & Intervention
EDI 5601
Language & Culture
EDI 5650
Racial Literacy and Antiracist Praxis
EDI 5800
Talking and Learning in Classrooms
EDI 5810
Curriculum and Instruction Summer Institute
EDI 5900
Developing and Implementing a Culturally Responsive Curriculum through Instruction and Assessment
EDI 5920
Collaborative Leadership and Communication
EDI 6030
Developing Writers and Thinkers: Advanced Methods of Teaching Writing
EDI 6450
Curriculum Development
EDI 6550
Principles of Assessment for Education Settings
EDR 5500
Evaluation of Education Programs
EDR 5800
Action Research for Teachers
EDR 6350
Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs
EDSP 5100
Comparative Theories and Practice to Address Challenging Behaviors
EDSP 5200
Mental Health Literacy
EDSP 5240
Classroom Organization and Management (Early Childhood, ECSE, Elementary, Special Education)
EDSP 5310
Advanced Studies in Psych/Educ the Exceptional Child
EDSP 5350
Differentiated Instruction: Theories and Practice
EDSP 5400
Teaching Everyone: Identifying Supports for Educational Access
EDSP 6110
Special Education Administration
EPE 5050
Proseminar on Ed Research
EPE 5250
Contemporary Issues in Education Policy
EPE 6250
Economics of Education
EPE 6650
Applied Research and Reporting
SOC 5850
Policy Evaluation and Assessment
SOC 6250
Poverty, Inequality and Public Policy
Research Courses
Required Research Courses12
Advanced Research Courses6
Dissertation Research
EDR 6990Dissertation Research12
Total Credits48

Required Research Courses

Students are required to successfully complete the following four research courses. Up to six credits may be considered for transfer based on students’ prior coursework.  

EDR 5000General Research Methods for Education3
EDR 5100Intro to Inferential Stats: Ed3
EDR 5400Qualitative Research in Education3
EDR 6700Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks in Education Research3

Advanced Research Electives

Students choose six credits of research electives from either the qualitative or quantitative focus (see lists below).

Qualitative Research Focus (choose two courses from the following:)
EDR 5500
Evaluation of Education Programs
EDR 6400
Advanced Qual Research for Ed
EDI 5800
Talking and Learning in Classrooms
Quantitative Research Focus (choose two courses from the following:)
EDR 6060
Research Design and Analysis
EDR 6100
Intermediate Applied Statistics for Education
EDR 6500
Multilevel Regression Models
EDR 6600
Designing Mixed Methods Research

Non-Course Requirements

  • Students must pass a comprehensive written examination upon completion of all required and elective courses.
  • Students must pass an oral examination/proposal defense.
  • Students must pass a public presentation and defense of their dissertation.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
EPE 5050 Proseminar on Ed Research 3
EDR 5000 General Research Methods for Education 3
 Credits6
Spring
EDR 5400 Qualitative Research in Education 3
Content elective OR research elective (see below) 3
 Credits6
Summer
EDR 5100 Intro to Inferential Stats: Ed 3
 Credits3
Year Two
Fall
EDI 6460
or EDF 6650
Curriculum Theory
or Seminar: History of American Education
3
Content elective OR research elective (see below) 3
 Credits6
Spring
EDR 6700 Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks in Education Research 3
Content elective OR research elective (see below) 3
 Credits6
Year Three
Fall
Content elective OR research elective (see below) 3
Content elective OR research elective (see below) 3
 Credits6
Spring
Content Elective 3
EDI 6950 Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams (Please register in your advisor’s section number.) 0
 Credits3
Year Four
Fall
EDR 6990 Dissertation Research (Please register in your advisor’s section number.) 6
 Credits6
Spring
EDR 6990 Dissertation Research (Please register in your advisor’s section number.) 6
 Credits6
 Total Credits48

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact:
Saint Louis University School of Education
314-977-3292
slued@slu.edu