Program Description
The Curriculum and Instruction EdD program is intended for individuals who are engaged in the practice of education in a variety of settings including schools, colleges, universities, businesses and industry. The program prepares students for engaging in the study of practice-based problems in education and data-driven decision making, to generate real world solutions.
The Curriculum and Instruction EdD program is designed for experienced practicing educators and practitioners who wish to gain advanced skills in:
- Evaluating the effectiveness of educational and clinical programs and identifying impediments to effective practice and program improvement;
- Analyzing and synthesizing educational and clinical research and scholarship to identify research-based practices and solutions to complex problems of the practice;
- Leading the change process through the implementation of data and evidence-based decisions and solutions.
The Doctor of Education program culminates with the Dissertation in Practice.
Curriculum
The Doctor of Education (EdD) program is a professional practice doctorate. It is problem-based and designed for practitioners who aspire to positions of influence through their engagement in the development of others. The program builds that expertise from a core of courses in learning, development, and motivation; data, accountability, and leadership; organizational contexts and the use of research to drive decision-making. Students will work with a team of faculty and field advisers who will support their specialization area.
This program is intended for professionals who are interested in teaching in a college, university, or community college, or leading instructional, training, and/or program improvement in a school or school district, higher education organization, social service agencies, military, or industry settings.
The EdD in Curriculum and Instruction consists of three distinct program areas, all with emphasis on professional practice: core, specialization, and dissertation. Three milestones assess students’ progress through the program.
Total Credit Hours Required: 57 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Master’s Degree
Required Courses—57 Credit Hours
Core—21 Credit Hours
The Core courses include courses on learning theory, organizational theory, and research courses designed to teach students how to identify, analyze and evaluate complex problems of practice.
- EDP 7517 - Facilitating Learning, Development and Motivation 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 7457 - Data, Assessment, and Accountability 3 Credit Hours
- EDA 7101 - Organizational Theory in Education 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 7494 - Identifying Complex Problems of Practice 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 7478 - Analysis of Data for Complex Problems of Practice 3 Credit Hours
- EDG 7985 - Proposing and Implementing Data-Driven Decisions 3 Credit Hours
- IDS 7500 - Seminar in Educational Research 1-3 Credit Hours
Area of Specialization—15-18 Credit Hours
The area of specialization is comprised of 12 to 15 credit hours of specialization courses and 3 credit hours of a Laboratory of Practice.
Students must select an area of specialization. These courses are designed to enhance the student’s professional practice by extending the knowledge base earned through the master’s degree and work experience. Specialization areas are subject to the discretion of the College based on course and faculty availability. Applicants are advised to contact the Program Director regarding specializations.
Students must complete one 3-credit-hour Laboratory of Practice experience. The Laboratory of Practice is a field-based experience. This is not a “work for credit” experience; rather, it places the student in a professional setting for the purpose of gaining practical leadership experience.
- EDG 7947 - Laboratory of Practice (3 credit hours; may be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours)
Examples of concentration areas are provided below; however, these are only examples and do not represent specific requirements. Students should be aware that not every specialization course is offered every semester and concessions will need to be considered based on the availability of coursework, faculty, course prerequisites, and other institutional factors.
Example I: Curriculum and Instruction
The Curriculum and Instruction option provides students with a broad understanding of the factors affecting education and approaches to addressing systemic problems. For example, a student interested in curriculum design and development and contemporary instructional practice may select the following specialization to include:
- EDG 7692 Issues in Curriculum 3 Credit Hours
- EDG 7221 - Advanced Curriculum Theory 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 7232 Analysis of Learning Theories in Instruction 3 Credit Hours
- EDG 7325 - Models of Teaching and Instructional Theory 3 Credit Hours
Example II: Instructional Design and Technology
- EME 6055 - Current Trends in Instructional Technology 3 Credit Hours
- EME 6507 - Multimedia for Education and Training 3 Credit Hours
- EME 6417 - Interactive Online and Virtual Teaching Environments 3 Credit Hours
- EME 6458 - Virtual Teaching and the Digital Educator 3 Credit Hours
Restricted Research Elective —3 Credit Hours
Upon completion of the core research continuum courses, students, with the guidance of their dissertation chairs, will select a fourth research course that will best support their dissertation research. Options include ONE of the following courses:
- EDG 6285 - Evaluation of School Programs 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 7463 - Analysis of Survey, Record, and Other Qualitative Data 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 7403 - Quantitative Foundations of Educational Research 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 7475 - Qualitative Research in Education 3 Credit Hours
Program Milestones
Program milestones are observable demonstrations of competency administered in place of comprehensive exams. Milestones are designed to monitor student progress and clear the student for continuation to the next program level.
- Milestone 1 - Successful Completion of the Year 1 Gap Analysis
- Milestone 2 - Dissertation Chair Approvel of the Dissertation Prospectus and Initial Dissertation Committee Form
- Milestone 3 - Dissertation Committee Approval of the Dissertation in Practice Proposal and Successful Proposal Defense
To enter EDG 7987 - Dissertation in Practice for the EdD, students must have an overall 3.0 GPA on all graduate work in the program and successfully complete the three required program milestones.
Dissertation in Practice—18 Credit Hours
The dissertation in practice is the culmination of coursework and field experience as it relates to complex problems of education practice. The dissertation is the final demonstration of competency in the Curriculum and Instruction EdD. It is a rigorous academic project and is expected to demonstrate the skills and knowledge the student has acquired throughout the program as applied in an authentic professional environment. The dissertation is completed in partnership with the student, university faculty, and the student’s mentor/client.
The dissertation in practice is presented in a thorough and comprehensive written report and must address a complex problem of educational practice. The dissertation in practice will be evaluated on the thoroughness, applicability and appropriateness of the work.
- EDG 7987 - Dissertation in Practice VAR Credit Hours
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- Official transcript - One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- Master’s degree in a closely related field.
- Graduate Record Examination scores and transcripts - Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last five years.
- NOTE: The GRE has been removed as an admission requirement for this graduate program for applicants applying Spring 2021 through the Fall 2021 term. This is a temporary measure in response to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The goal statement - The goal statement is a critical element of your application materials to the EdD program. It should clearly convey the applicant’s intended Area of Specialization (see below), professional experience, and professional goals after completion of the program. The admissions committee will review the goal statement to determine whether the EdD program is the right match for the applicant. In addition, as a sample of the applicant’s writing ability, the goal statement should be clear and concise.
- Area of Specialization - The applicant will be asked to indicate a preferred Area of Specialization in the Goal Statement. Areas of Specialization may be found here. Applicants are required to meet or speak with the Specialization Area Advisor about their interests prior to submitting an application. Please contact the Program Coordinator to discuss options for Areas of Specialization not included in our current program offerings.
- Resume - The applicant should include his/her most recent professional resume or curriculum vitae. The EdD in Curriculum and Instruction is a doctorate in the professional practice of education and as such emphasizes a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in the field.
- Three letters of reference - Three letters of reference will be read by the admissions committee to determine whether the applicant has the academic ability to succeed in the program. As such, these letters should be written by graduate faculty who are able to judge the applicant’s abilities in a doctoral program, including their research and writing skills. One of the letters may be from the applicant’s employer/supervisor. This letter will support the applicant’s professional experience and commitment to the program.
- Interview - The applicant should make an appointment to meet with the program coordinator and the specialization area adviser before the final admission deadline. These appointments may be conducted in person or over the telephone. The interview is an important way for faculty to attach faces to names and draw distinctions among applicants. Students in the EdD in Curriculum and Instruction program will spend three full years working closely with faculty and colleagues in both individual and group settings. The interview allows faculty to meet potential students to begin the process of forming a cohesive and dynamic cohort.
- Applicants to this program, except those that have earned or will earn a Masters or Doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. institution recognized by UCF, who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Application Deadlines
| Curriculum and Instruction EdD | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 15 | May 1 |
| International Applicants | Jan 15 | Jan 15 |
| *Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date. |
Financials
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
