The curriculum and instruction major is designed for experienced practitioners in a variety of academic disciplines. The program provides opportunities for candidates to relate theoretical foundations to curricular and instructional issues facing schools, school systems, higher education, and other learning environments.The program offers concentrations for both non-P-12 educators and P-12 educators. P-12 educators seeking certificate upgrades (level 6/7) are required to select concentrations in their certification field--all electives must be approved by the advisor and completed in the teaching certification field. Non-P-12 educators' electives must be approved by the advisor in the are of specific interest.
Selected Educational Outcomes
- Doctoral candidates will demonstrate inquiry skills in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methodologies.
- Doctoral candidates will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge, research, and theories appropriate to their major field by completing an online portfolio.
- Doctoral candidates will demonstrate the ability to engage in focused inquiry by researching a topic, evaluating relevant literature, writing a comprehensive dissertation, and presenting the results of their study.
Examples of Outcome Assessments
- Doctoral candidates will successfully complete course work in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methodologies.
- Doctoral candidates will successfully develop an online portfolio. Portfolios will be evaluated by a team of faculty members.
- Doctoral candidates will be evaluated by a faculty committee on the development and defense of their dissertation.
Prior to admission to any graduate program at Valdosta State University, applicants must first submit a completed application to the Graduate School. A completed application packet includes official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, official test scores (GRE or MAT), completed application form, fee, and any additional program requirements submitted by the admission deadline. To be considered for the preferred term, all required materials must be received by the Graduate School no later than the close of business on the deadline. It is the responsibility of the applicant to allow adequate time for document submission and to ensure receipt of documents.
Admission Deadline
The Ed.D. program in Curriculum and Instruction considers applications for Fall term only.
Fall Deadline: March 15
Go to the Graduate School website and click on Our Programs, then click on Ed.D. Curriculum and Instruction Program for information on:
- Specific Ed.D. Curriculum and Instruction Program Admission Requirements
- Ed.D. Curriculum and Instruction Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies
- Ed.D. Curriculum and Instruction Program Graduation Requirements
To Apply Online, click here.
Requirements for the Ed.D. with a Major in Curriculum and Instruction with a Concentration in P-12 Curriculum and Instruction
According to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), all candidates applying for a certificate in Curriculum and Instruction are required to present passing scores on the GACE Content Assessments for Curriculum and Instruction. The Valdosta State University Dewar College of Education and Human Services requires all candidates to take the appropriate GACE Content Assessment(s) for their major and submit the score reports to the Dean’s office. Candidates are not required to pass GACE Content Assessments in order to graduate from our programs but cannot be recommended for certification until they pass. All coursework and assessments must be completed successfully before a candidate can be recommended for certification in Curriculum and Instruction by the GaPSC.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Disciplinary Studies | 9 | |
| CIED 9100 | Curriculum Design, Implementation, and Evaluation | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Adult Learning Strategies | ||
| Leadership Problems: Interdisciplinary Analysis | ||
| Interdisciplinary Studies in Education | ||
| Area B: Educational Inquiry | 16 | |
| RSCH 9800 | Research Design and Foundations for Advanced Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods Research | 3 |
| RSCH 9820 | Qualitative Research Methods in Education | 3 |
| RSCH 9840 | Quantitative Research Methods in Education | 3 |
| RSCH 9871 | Planning for Dissertation | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Quantitative Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Mixed Method | ||
| RSCH 9872 | Dissertation Topic Conceptualization | 3 |
| Area C: Major Courses | 21 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction Core | 9 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Instructional Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation | ||
| Using Assessment to Maximize Student Learning | ||
| Review of Academic Discipline and Pedagogy Literature | ||
| Advanced Educational Psychology | ||
| GaPSC Certification Area Electives 1 | 9 | |
| EDUC 5999 | Professional Orientation | 0 |
| Area D: Dissertation | 9 | |
| Total Hours Required for the Degree | 55 | |
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9 hours of electives and/or dissertation in the candidate’s area of previous certification is required in GaPSC Rule 505-3.55 for Curriculum and Instruction Certification.
Requirements for the Ed.D. with a Major in Curriculum and Instruction with a Concentration in Learning and Development
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Disciplinary Studies | 9 | |
| Select three from the following: | 9 | |
| Adult Learning Strategies | ||
| Interdisciplinary Studies in Education | ||
| Review of Academic Discipline and Pedagogy Literature | ||
| Leadership Problems: Interdisciplinary Analysis | ||
| Area B: Educational Inquiry | 16 | |
| RSCH 9800 | Research Design and Foundations for Advanced Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods Research | 3 |
| RSCH 9820 | Qualitative Research Methods in Education | 3 |
| RSCH 9840 | Quantitative Research Methods in Education | 3 |
| RSCH 9871 | Planning for Dissertation | 1 |
| RSCH 9872 | Dissertation Topic Conceptualization | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Quantitative Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Mixed Method | ||
| Area C: Major Courses | 21 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction Core | ||
| CIED 9100 | Curriculum Design, Implementation, and Evaluation | 3 |
| CIED 9210 | Instructional Design | 3 |
| CIED 9220 | Instructional Development and Production | 3 |
| ACED 7110 | Workforce Human Performance Improvement | 3 |
| Electives | 9 | |
The advisor and student will jointly design a program of study based on the selected program of study. | ||
| Area D: Dissertation | 9 | |
| Total Hours Required for the Degree | 55 | |
An approved portfolio is required before Admission to Candidacy.
Requirements for the Ed.D. with a Major in Curriculum and Instruction (with an Approved Disciplinary Concentration)
Students seeking a certificate upgrade must identify an approved concentration (i.e., certification field) on the Ed.D. admission application in order for a concentration to appear on their transcript. Concentrations include English, History, Language Arts, Library Media, Mathematics, P-12 Curriculum & Instruction, Political Science, Reading, Science, Social Science, Spanish, Instructional Technology, Special Education Adapted Curriculum, Special Education General Curriculum, ESOL English to Speakers of Other Languages, Gifted, Health and Physical Education, Middle Grades, and Secondary Education. Other approved concentrations are available upon request.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Disciplinary Studies | 9 | |
| CIED 9100 | Curriculum Design, Implementation, and Evaluation | 3 |
| Select two from the following: | 6 | |
| Adult Learning Strategies | ||
| Leadership Problems: Interdisciplinary Analysis | ||
| Interdisciplinary Studies in Education | ||
| Area B: Educational Inquiry | 16 | |
| RSCH 9800 | Research Design and Foundations for Advanced Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods Research | 3 |
| RSCH 9820 | Qualitative Research Methods in Education | 3 |
| RSCH 9840 | Quantitative Research Methods in Education | 3 |
| RSCH 9871 | Planning for Dissertation | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Quantitative Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Mixed Method | ||
| RSCH 9872 | Dissertation Topic Conceptualization | 3 |
| Area C: Major Courses 1 | 21 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction Core | 9 | |
| Instructional Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation | ||
| Using Assessment to Maximize Student Learning | ||
| Review of Academic Discipline and Pedagogy Literature | ||
| PSYC 8020 | Advanced Educational Psychology | 3 |
| Concentration Electives | 9 | |
| EDUC 5999 | Professional Orientation | 0 |
| Area D: Dissertation | 9 | |
| Total Hours Required for the Degree | 55 | |
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Students must apply electives and other designated course work to content and pedagogy within their approved certification (i.e., certification field).
An approved portfolio is required before Admission to Candidacy.
