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Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction

About the Degree

The Doctor of Education is the highest professional degree in Education. The program serves professionals who are leaders in Curriculum and Instruction in schools, districts, or universities. The program also prepares educators for teaching, research, and scholarly writing at the college and/or university level.

Students are initially admitted as Provisional in status. After completion of 12 units, student work and program goals are reviewed for acceptance as Full Admission.

Prerequisite Requirement

There is a program prerequisite requirement of having completed a Master's level course in the field of curriculum.  It is variously referred to as Curriculum Foundations, Principles of Curriculum, Curriculum Theory.  Applicants who have not had such a course will be required to add EDUC 209 Curriculum Theory to their program of study.

Program Requirements

  • 15 units in research core courses: EDUC 352, EDUC 354, EDUC 356, EDUC 358 (Applied Inquiry I,II,II,IV)
  • 33 units within major and concentration
  • 7 units of dissertation
  • Total of 55 units
  • Dissertation: Students will develop and design their dissertation proposal, defend the proposal, initiate and complete the study, and subsequently defend the dissertation in an oral defense. The successful dissertation defense results in the completion of the doctoral degree.

Admission Information

Students apply to the  Office of Research and Graduate Studies of the University for admission.

All materials must be submitted as a completed application to the Research and Graduate Studies Office.

Admission to this program is a holistic decision, and is based on the following:

  • 3.5 grade point average (GPA) (on a 4-point scale) on the last 60 units of a completed Master's degree.
  • The completed Graduate School application form
  • An essay about your goals and reasons for applying for the program
  • Three letters of reference from professional colleagues
  • Official Transcripts
  • Scores from the  Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Examination

Additional Information

Click here for a complete brochure.

For additional information, please contact  Dr. Thomas Nelson.

Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Gladys L. Benerd School of Education
3601 Pacific Ave.
Stockton, CA 95211

Phone: (209) 946-2558
Fax: (209) 946-3110

There is a program prerequisite requirement of having completed a Master's level course in the field of curriculum. It is variously referred to as Curriculum Foundations, Principles of Curriculum, Curriculum Theory. Applicants who have not had such a course will be required to add EDUC 209 Curriculum Theory to their program of study.