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.
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 30-36 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.
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
- 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 and for the spring semester by Nov. 1. International students should apply by May 1 for the fall semester and by Oct. 1 for the spring semester.
Tuition
| Tuition | Cost Per Credit |
|---|---|
| Graduate Tuition | $1,310 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
For priority consideration for graduate assistantships, apply by Jan. 15.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
- Graduates will be able to explain learning and curriculum theories.
- Graduates will be able to research questions in the field of curriculum and instruction.
- Graduates will be able to analyze social justice issues in education.
- Graduates will be able to explain how learning and curriculum theories are used to develop education programs.
- Graduates will be able to use oral and written communication.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum and Instruction | 6 | |
Select six credits of the following: | ||
| Curriculum Theory | ||
or EDF 6650 | Seminar: History of American Education | |
| Proseminar on Ed Research | ||
| Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams | ||
| Electives | 12 | |
Select four of the following: | ||
| Advanced Educational Psychology | ||
| Foundations of Urban Education | ||
| Advanced Growth and Development | ||
| Education in American Culture | ||
| Seminar: History of American Education | ||
| Reimagining Schools for Equity, Justice, & Healing | ||
| Seminar: Current Educational Problems | ||
| Using Children's YA Literature to Promote Conversations about Equity and Justice | ||
| Teaching Reading: Contemporary Issues & Practices | ||
| Disciplinary Literacy Assessment & Intervention | ||
| Language & Culture | ||
| Racial Literacy and Antiracist Praxis | ||
| Talking and Learning in Classrooms | ||
| Curriculum and Instruction Summer Institute | ||
| Developing and Implementing a Culturally Responsive Curriculum through Instruction and Assessment | ||
| Collaborative Leadership and Communication | ||
| Developing Writers and Thinkers: Advanced Methods of Teaching Writing | ||
| Seminar in Instruction | ||
| Curriculum Development | ||
| Principles of Assessment for Education Settings | ||
| Evaluation of Education Programs | ||
| Action Research for Teachers | ||
| Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs | ||
| Comparative Theories and Practice to Address Challenging Behaviors | ||
| Mental Health Literacy | ||
| Classroom Organization and Management (Early Childhood, ECSE, Elementary, Special Education) | ||
| Advanced Studies in Psych/Educ the Exceptional Child | ||
| Differentiated Instruction: Theories and Practice | ||
| Teaching Everyone: Identifying Supports for Educational Access | ||
| Special Education Administration | ||
| Proseminar on Ed Research | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Education Policy | ||
| Economics of Education | ||
| Applied Research and Reporting | ||
| Policy Evaluation and Assessment | ||
| Poverty, Inequality and Public Policy | ||
| Research Courses | ||
| Introductory Research Courses | 3-9 | |
| Advanced Research Courses | 6 | |
| Dissertation Research | ||
| EDR 6990 | Dissertation Research | 12 |
| Total Credits | 39-45 | |
Introductory Research Courses
Students must complete master’s level graduate research coursework as prerequisites for advanced research courses. Students are required to successfully complete the following three research courses. Up to six credits may be waived based on students’ prior coursework.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDR 5000 | General Research Methods for Education | 3 |
| EDR 5100 | Intro to Inferential Stats: Ed | 3 |
| EDR 5400 | Qualitative Research in Education | 3 |
Advanced Research Courses
Students choose six credits of research electives from either the qualitative or quantitative focus (see lists below).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Qualitative Research Focus (choose two courses from the following:) | ||
| Evaluation of Education Programs | ||
| Advanced Qual Research for Ed | ||
| Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks in Education Research | ||
| Talking and Learning in Classrooms | ||
| Quantitative Research Focus (choose two courses from the following:) | ||
| Research Design and Analysis | ||
| Intermediate Applied Statistics for Education | ||
| Multilevel Regression Models | ||
| Designing Mixed Methods Research | ||
Non-Course Requirements
- Students must pass a comprehensive written examination.
- 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.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EPE 5050 | Proseminar on Ed Research | 3 |
| EDR 5000 | General Research Methods for Education (if not already completed as a prerequisite) | 3 |
| Credits | 3-6 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDR 5400 | Qualitative Research in Education (if not already completed as a prerequisite) | 3 |
| EDR 6700 | Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks in Education Research | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDR 5100 | Intro to Inferential Stats: Ed (if not already completed as a prerequisite) | 3 |
| Credits | 0-3 | |
| 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 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Content elective OR research elective (see below) | 3 | |
| Content elective OR research elective (see below) | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Content elective OR research elective (see below) | 3 | |
| Content elective OR research elective (see below) | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Content Elective | 3 | |
| EDI 6950 | Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams (Please register in your advisor’s section number.) | 0 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Four | ||
| 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 | 42-48 | |
For additional admission questions, please contact:
Saint Louis University School of Education
314-977-3292
slued@slu.edu