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 educational contexts. 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, education advocates, and adult educators.
Admission Requirements
- 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 applicants should apply by August 1 for fall entry, January 1 for spring entry, and May 1 for summer entry. International applicants should apply by May 1 for fall entry, October 1 for spring entry, and February 1 for summer entry.
Tuition
| Tuition | Cost Per Credit |
|---|---|
| Graduate Tuition | $1,450 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Applicants seeking School of Education graduate assistantships must submit an assistantship application by Feb. 1 to be considered. For information about the application process, contact Ashley Burle, Ph.D., director of graduate admission, at ashley.burle@slu.edu.
For more information on scholarship opportunities or other financial aid options, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
- Graduates will be able to critically analyze educational issues and their impact on learners and communities, with an emphasis on marginalized groups.
- Graduates will be able to evaluate various theoretical and conceptual frameworks that are employed in the design of education research.
- Graduates will be able to apply theories and methods to conduct educational research that extends the knowledge base in education and equity.
- Graduates will be able to effectively communicate research findings to scholarly and broader audiences.
- Graduates will be able to engage in practice that challenges and reduces the impact of inequity (racial, gender, class, ability, etc.,) in educational contexts.
SLU's Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction is a 42-48 credit (30-36 credits of coursework plus 12 credits of dissertation research) degree program beyond the master's degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Content Courses | ||
| EDI 5050 | Proseminar on Ed Research | 3 |
| EDI 6460 | Curriculum Theory | 3 |
| EDF 6600 | Socio-Cultural History of American Education | 3 |
| EDI 6950 | Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams | 0 |
| Content Electives | 9 | |
Choose 3 courses, 9 credits | ||
EDI 5900 | Developing and Implementing a Culturally Responsive Curriculum through Instruction and Assessment | |
EDI 6460 | Curriculum Theory | |
EDI 5600 | Teaching and Learning in Educational Contexts | |
EDI 6550 | Principles of Assessment for Education Settings | |
EDL 6450 | Curriculum Design and Implementation Fidelity | |
EDL 6730 | District Level Professional Development and Teacher Evaluation | |
EDI 5200 | Community Collaboration in Education | |
| Required Research Courses | 12-18 | |
Students may bring in up to 6 credits of prior research coursework at the master’s level to satisfy up to 6 credits of courses marked with an asterisk. | ||
EDR 5000 | General Research Methods for Education * | |
EDR 5100 | Intro to Inferential Stats: Ed * | |
EDR 5400 | Qualitative Research in Education * | |
EDR 6400 | Advanced Qual Research for Ed | |
EDR 6700 | Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks in Education Research | |
EDR 6980 | Graduate Independent Study in Education Research (repeatable for credit) | |
| Required Dissertation Research | 12 | |
EDI 6990 | Dissertation Research | |
| Total Credits | 42-48 | |
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.
This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.
Roadmap notes:
- This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
- Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
- Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EDI 5050 | Proseminar on Ed Research | 3 |
| EDI 6460 | Curriculum Theory | 3 |
| Content elective OR research elective (see requirements page) | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDR 5400 | Qualitative Research in Education | 3 |
| EDR 6700 | Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks in Education Research | 3 |
| Content elective OR research elective (see requirements page) | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDR 6400 | Advanced Qual Research for Ed | 3 |
| EDR 6980 | Graduate Independent Study in Education Research | 3 |
| Content elective OR research elective (see requirements page) | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDF 6600 | Socio-Cultural History of American Education | 3 |
| Content elective OR research elective (see requirements page) | 3 | |
| EDR 6950 | Special Study for Exams | 0 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDI 6950 | Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams | 0 |
| Credits | 0 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDR 6990 | Dissertation Research (Please register in your advisor’s section number.) | 6 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDR 6990 | Dissertation Research (Please register in your advisor’s section number.) | 6 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
For additional admission questions, please contact:
Saint Louis University School of Education
314-977-3292
slued@slu.edu