PhD in Curriculum and Instruction

This professional doctorate invites educators to reflect on and improve their own practice and to work with colleagues toward fairness and strong schooling. Students practice critical reflection, pursue rigorous theoretical inquiry, and form alliances to tackle educational problems and openings. The degree typically serves people aiming for practitioner roles such as superintendent or principal. It ends in a capstone project, which may take the form of a program evaluation, policy paper, applied research study, professional plan, or an investigation of a practical problem. Curriculum decision-making is treated as an activity that is practical, conversational and grounded in theory. Educators are encouraged to pursue the best-justified action for the situation in front of them. The catalog entry for the program lists the full set of required courses, a suggested plan of study and the learning outcomes expected of graduates.