Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction

The Doctorate in Curriculum of Instruction is a program of study designed for educators to advance in their current professional settings or to qualify for positions in higher education research and teaching.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • SLO 1: Knowledge of Curriculum. Program completers will demonstrate advanced ability to
    design, implement, and evaluate curriculum that promotes student learning.
  • SLO 2: Knowledge of Instruction. Program completers will demonstrate advanced ability to plan,
    implement, and evaluate instruction to facilitate student learning.
  • SLO 3: Knowledge of Content. Program completers will demonstrate advanced depth and
    breadth of knowledge and skills in their academic discipline and pedagogy.
  • SLO 4: Knowledge of Students. Program completers will demonstrate advanced knowledge of
    students as influenced by cognitive, physical, emotional, social, cultural, environments,
    and economic factors.
  • SLO 5: Knowledge of Research. Program completers will demonstrate the ability to use research
    to promote student learning and to contribute to the teaching profession.
  • SLO 6: Knowledge of Assessment. Program completers will demonstrate advanced knowledge
    of assessment and the ability to use multiple sources of assessment for maximizing
    student learning.
  • SLO 7: Professional Practices. Program completers will demonstrate high standards for
    professional practice.

Service/Leader Competencies

  • Competency 1: Candidates in Service/Leader programs will demonstrate the ability to apply data in a variety of settings.
  • Competency 2: Candidates in Service/Leader programs will employ action research to address an identified instructional/curricular need.
  • Competency 3: Candidates in Service/Leader programs will employ action research to address an identified instructional/curricular need in order to promote a supportive school environment.
  • Competency 4: Candidates in Service/Leader programs will demonstrate the ability to participate and lead collaborative activities in the appropriate setting.
  • Competency 5: Candidates in Service/Leader programs will demonstrate the ability to utilize technology in a variety of educational settings.
  • Competency 6: Candidates in Service/Leader programs will demonstrate their application of professional dispositions, laws and policies, codes of ethics, and professional standards appropriate to their field of specialization.

Admission Requirements

  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.5 from all graduate coursework attempted;
  • Submit a criminal background clearance and/or current public-school teaching certificate.
  • Pass the Georgia Assessment of Content Evaluation (GACE) in Curriculum and Instruction at the Professional Level
  • Hold a Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction degree from a Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GAPSC) 
  • Meet all requirements and apply for Georgia certification in Curriculum and Instruction.
  • Submit TOEFL scores if an international student who did not earn a degree from a US institution.
  • Submit official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended.
  • Submit a writing sample as directed by the Education Department
  • Complete an interview, which may be conducted online.
  • Submit three letters of recommendations from individuals well-acquainted with the applicant’s professional potential and academic aptitude.

Degree Options for Ed.S. Candidates

  • Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction 
  • Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction  with Tier I Educational Leadership
  • Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction  with Tier II Educational Leadership

 

Program of Study

The Doctorate in Curriculum of Instruction is a 30-33-hour program, post Ed.S. which includes 30 hours. Enrolled candidates must have applied for a certification upgrade at the completion of the Ed.S. coursework prior to admittance into the Ed.D. program. The Ed.D. program consists of 18-21 didactic hours plus a minimum of 12 dissertation hours. Courses are delivered online with periodic on-campus meetings.  

 

Candidates who wish to enroll in the Ed.S. program and seamlessly transition into the Ed.D. program at LaGrange College must complete the following courses at the Ed.S. level, meet certification requirements for the Ed.S., and then be accepted into the Ed.D. program.

 

 

Enrollment

Continuous enrollment in Fall and Spring semesters required during dissertation phase. 

 

Dissertation Candidacy Exam

After successful completion of the courses listed below, candidates must pass a comprehensive assessment, referred to as the Dissertation Candidacy Exam.

Dissertation Candidacy Exam Prerequisite Courses:

EDUC 8000 Methods of Inquiry (3 hours)

EDUC 8010 Forms of Curriculum Inquiry (3 hours)

EDUC 8020 Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (3 hours)

EDUC 8030 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (3 hours)

EDUC 8040 Advanced Curriculum Development in Areas of Specialization (3 hours)

 

The Dissertation Candidacy Exam measures candidates’ advanced knowledge of Curriculum and Instruction content, methodologies, and professionalism.  Doctoral candidates must pass the Dissertation Candidacy Exam within five (5) years from the first Ed.D. admission registration semester and no later than the semester following the completion of Ed.D. coursework.

 

Dissertation 

Reading and research under the direction of an assigned faculty member leads to the development and defense of the dissertation proposal and the dissertation. At least 3 credit hours must be taken each fall and spring semester until the dissertation is completed. The number of hours taken per semester must be approved by the dissertation chair. At least 12 hours must be completed. 

 

Graduation Requirements 

Candidates must complete all the required coursework with a cumulative 3.50 grade point average or higher as well as pass all program key assessments. All degree program requirements must be completed within five (5) years of passing the Dissertation Candidacy Exam, including the Dissertation; otherwise, all doctoral level coursework must be repeated, and the Dissertation Candidacy Exam retaken.

Courses

EDUC8000 - Methods of Inquiry - 3 hours

EDUC8010 - Forms of Curriculum Inquiry - 3 hours

EDUC8020 - Advanced Qualitative Methods - 3 hours

EDUC8030 - Advanced Quantitative Methods - 3 hours

EDUC8040 - Advanced Curriculum Development - 3 hours

EDUC8050 - Doctoral Writing Seminar in Curriculum and Instruction I - 3 hours

EDUC8060 - Doctoral Writing Seminar in Curriculum and Instruction II - 3 hours

EDUC8070 - Dissertation in Curriculum and Instruction - 3 hours

EDUC8070 - Dissertation in Curriculum and Instruction - 3 hours

Elective Hours - 6

Total Hours to Complete - 33