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
- 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:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
For priority consideration for graduate assistantships, apply by Jan. 15.
For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
- 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.
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum and Instruction | 6 | |
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 Electives | 12 | |
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 Courses | 12 | |
| Advanced Research Courses | 6 | |
| Dissertation Research | ||
| EDR 6990 | Dissertation Research | 12 |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
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.
| 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 |
| EDR 6700 | Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks in Education Research | 3 |
Advanced Research Electives
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:) | ||
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.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EPE 5050 | Proseminar on Ed Research | 3 |
| EDR 5000 | General Research Methods for Education | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDR 5400 | Qualitative Research in Education | 3 |
| Content elective OR research elective (see below) | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDR 5100 | Intro to Inferential Stats: Ed | 3 |
| Credits | 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 | ||
| EDR 6700 | Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks in Education Research | 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 | 48 | |
For additional admission questions, please contact:
Saint Louis University School of Education
314-977-3292
slued@slu.edu
