Curriculum and Instruction (EDD, Multiple Specializations)

CIP Code

13.0301.00

The Doctoral Program in Curriculum and Instruction is designed to prepare individuals with expertise to formulate and lead educational programs and organizations in higher education and corresponding entities. In addition, the program will enable candidates to teach in colleges and universities. Graduates will be able to:

  • Lead and administer curriculum programs with a high degree of competence;
  • Supervise professionals and paraprofessionals in a variety of educational settings;
  • Using multiple assessment methodologies;
  • Develop, apply and evaluate assessments, curricular materials, and scientifically research based instructional methods,
  • Synthesize in-depth knowledge of major theories, philosophies, and current issues in curriculum;
  • Design, conduct, assess and evaluate qualitative and quantitative research studies in Curriculum and Instruction and in specialization areas; and
  • Analyze knowledge demonstrated by original research and scholarly contributions to the field of Curriculum and Instruction through publication and presentation of research findings at the local, state, regional, national and/or international levels.

Students may specialize in one of the following areas: bilingual studies, early childhood, educational technology, higher education teaching, literacy, mathematics education or science education.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the doctoral program in curriculum and instruction, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:

  1. Earned master’s degree from a regionally accredited United States institution or a recognized international equivalent with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 on all graduate work
  2. GRE general test
  3. Three professional letters of recommendation from individuals with first-hand knowledge of the applicant’s professional qualities and scholarly potential with reference forms
  4. Documentation of 3 years of experience in education or equivalent experiences in relevant professional fields
  5. Personal statement describing goals, experiences, scholarly accomplishments, reasons for obtaining this degree, and possible research questions or topics of interest
  6. Resume

Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.

Final admission to the doctoral program will be made by a selection committee comprised of Curriculum and Instruction faculty members.

Program Requirements

Bilingual Studies Specialization:

Required Research Courses - 9 Hours

EDFR 8300Research Methods and Design

3

EDFR 8301Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8302Quantitative Research

3

Designated Research Elective - 3 Hours

Select one course from the following:
EDFR 8303Advanced Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8304Advanced Quantitative Research

3

EDFR 8305Program Evaluation

3

EDFR 8306Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research

3

EDFR 8307Selected Topics in Research

3

EDFR 8309Statistics in Education

3

Curriculum and Instruction Core - 21 Hours

EDCI 8300Traditions of Inquiry

3

EDCI 8320Curriculum Inquiry

3

EDCI 8321Adult Learning Strategies

3

EDCI 8323Contemporary Research in Teaching and Teacher Education

3

EDCI 8325Mentoring and Professional Development

3

EDFR 8322Advanced Historical and Sociocultural Inquiry in Education

3

EPSY 8318Advanced Human Development and Cognition

3

Specialization - 15 Hours

BILC 8340History, Politics, and Models of Bilingual Education

3

BILC 8341Bilingualism and Second Language Acquisition

3

BILC 8342Content Area Instruction in Bilingual Programs

3

BILC 8343Literacy and Biliteracy Development

3

BILC 8344Language Use in Bilingual Classrooms

3

Designated Elective - 9 Hours

BILC 8345Seminar in Bilingual Studies

3

BILC 8346Issues and Assessment in Bilingual/ESL Programs

3

BILC 7362Principles of Curriculum Development in Dual Language and ESL Classrooms

3

Capstone Requirement Dissertation - 9 Hours

EDCI 8380Dissertation

3

EDCI 8690Dissertation

6

EDCI 8191Dissertation Revision

1

EDCI 8380 and EDCI 8690: Students will continuously enroll in either EDCI 8380 or EDCI 8690 until they complete their Dissertation.

EDCI 8191 may only be taken subsequent to dissertation defense with approval from advisor and may not be repeated.

Required

Written Comprehensive Exam

Dissertation Defense

Early Childhood Specialization:

Required Research Courses - 9 Hours

EDFR 8300Research Methods and Design

3

EDFR 8301Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8302Quantitative Research

3

Designated Research Elective - 3 Hours

Select one course from the following:
EDFR 8303Advanced Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8304Advanced Quantitative Research

3

EDFR 8305Program Evaluation

3

EDFR 8306Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research

3

EDFR 8307Selected Topics in Research

3

EDFR 8309Statistics in Education

3

Curriculum and Instruction Core - 21 Hours

EDCI 8300Traditions of Inquiry

3

EDCI 8320Curriculum Inquiry

3

EDCI 8321Adult Learning Strategies

3

EDCI 8323Contemporary Research in Teaching and Teacher Education

3

EDCI 8325Mentoring and Professional Development

3

EDFR 8322Advanced Historical and Sociocultural Inquiry in Education

3

EPSY 8318Advanced Human Development and Cognition

3

Specialization - 15 Hours

ECED 8350Advanced Theories in Early Childhood Education

3

ECED 8351Research in Early Childhood Education

3

ECED 8352Advanced Curriculum in Early ChildhoodEducation

3

ECED 8353Families, Schools and Community Partnerships

3

ECED 8354Leadership in Early Childhood Education

3

Free Electives - 9 Hours

Select 3 courses from the following:
EDCI 6325ESL for International and Intercultural Settings

3

EDCI 6336Problems in Education (Topics)

3

ECED 6301Major Theories in Early Childhood Education

3

ECED 6302Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Planning, and Curriculum

3

ECED 6306Literacy in Early Childhood Education

3

ECED 6311Problems in Early Childhood Education

3

EDTC 8376Special Topics in Educational Technology

3

Capstone Requirement Dissertation - 9 Hours

EDCI 8380Dissertation

3

EDCI 8690Dissertation

6

EDCI 8191Dissertation Revision

1

EDCI 8380 and EDCI 8690: Students will continuously enroll in either EDCI 8380 or EDCI 8690 until they complete their Dissertation.

EDCI 8191 may only be taken subsequent to dissertation defense with approval from advisor and may not be repeated.

Required

Written Comprehensive Exam

Dissertation Defense

Educational Technology Specialization:

Required Research Courses - 9 Hours

EDFR 8300Research Methods and Design

3

EDFR 8301Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8302Quantitative Research

3

Designated Research Elective - 3 Hours

Select one course from the following:
EDFR 8303Advanced Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8304Advanced Quantitative Research

3

EDFR 8305Program Evaluation

3

EDFR 8306Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research

3

EDFR 8307Selected Topics in Research

3

EDFR 8309Statistics in Education

3

Curriculum and Instruction Core - 21 Hours

EDCI 8300Traditions of Inquiry

3

EDCI 8320Curriculum Inquiry

3

EDCI 8321Adult Learning Strategies

3

EDCI 8323Contemporary Research in Teaching and Teacher Education

3

EDCI 8325Mentoring and Professional Development

3

EDFR 8322Advanced Historical and Sociocultural Inquiry in Education

3

EPSY 8318Advanced Human Development and Cognition

3

Specialization - 15 Hours

EDTC 8371Theories and Practices in Effective On-line Pedagogy

3

EDTC 8372Advanced Instructional Design

3

EDTC 8373Evaluation and Assessment in Instructional Technology

3

EDTC 8374Course Management and Instructional Systems in K-16

3

EDTC 8375Trends in Educational Technology K-16

3

Designated Electives - 9 Hours

Select 3 courses from the following:
EDTC 6320Instructional Technology

3

EDTC 6321Instructional Design

3

EDTC 6323Multimedia/Hypermedia

3

EDTC 6325Educational Communications

3

EDTC 6329Selected Topics in Educational Technology

3

EDTC 8376Special Topics in Educational Technology

3

Capstone Requirement Dissertation - 9 Hours

EDCI 8380Dissertation

3

EDCI 8690Dissertation

6

EDCI 8191Dissertation Revision

1

EDCI 8380 and EDCI 8690: Students will continuously enroll in either EDCI 8380 or EDCI 8690 until they complete their Dissertation.

EDCI 8191 may only be taken subsequent to dissertation defense with approval from advisor and may not be repeated.

Required

Written Comprehensive Exam

Dissertation Defense

General Specialization:

Required Research Courses - 9 Hours

EDFR 8300Research Methods and Design

3

EDFR 8301Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8302Quantitative Research

3

Designated Research Elective - 3 Hours

Select one course from the following:
EDFR 8303Advanced Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8304Advanced Quantitative Research

3

EDFR 8305Program Evaluation

3

EDFR 8306Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research

3

EDFR 8307Selected Topics in Research

3

EDFR 8309Statistics in Education

3

Curriculum and Instruction Core - 21 Hours

EDCI 8300Traditions of Inquiry

3

EDCI 8320Curriculum Inquiry

3

EDCI 8321Adult Learning Strategies

3

EDCI 8323Contemporary Research in Teaching and Teacher Education

3

EDCI 8325Mentoring and Professional Development

3

EDFR 8322Advanced Historical and Sociocultural Inquiry in Education

3

EPSY 8318Advanced Human Development and Cognition

3

Specialization - 15 Hours

EDCI 8370Critical Approaches to Curriculum Sciences

3

EDCI 8371Curriculum Design, Development & Transformation

3

Any combination of three 8000 level BILC, EDCI, ECED, EDTC, EDUL, RLIT, HIED, SPED

Designated Electives - 9 Hours

Select three of any 8000 level courses:

*6000 and 7000 level courses only by special approval

Capstone Requirement Dissertation - 9 Hours

EDCI 8380Dissertation

3

EDCI 8690Dissertation

6

EDCI 8191Dissertation Revision

1

EDCI 8380 and EDCI 8690: Students will continuously enroll in either EDCI 8380 or EDCI 8690 until they complete their Dissertation.

EDCI 8191 may only be taken subsequent to dissertation defense with approval from advisor and may not be repeated.

Higher Education Teaching Specialization:

Required Research Courses - 9 Hours

EDFR 8300Research Methods and Design

3

EDFR 8301Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8302Quantitative Research

3

Designated Research Elective - 3 Hours

Select one course from the following:
EDFR 8303Advanced Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8304Advanced Quantitative Research

3

EDFR 8305Program Evaluation

3

EDFR 8306Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research

3

EDFR 8307Selected Topics in Research

3

EDFR 8309Statistics in Education

3

Curriculum and Instruction Core - 21 Hours

EDCI 8300Traditions of Inquiry

3

EDCI 8320Curriculum Inquiry

3

EDCI 8321Adult Learning Strategies

3

EDCI 8323Contemporary Research in Teaching and Teacher Education

3

EDCI 8325Mentoring and Professional Development

3

EDFR 8322Advanced Historical and Sociocultural Inquiry in Education

3

EPSY 8318Advanced Human Development and Cognition

3

Specialization

EDFR 8380Comparative Higher Education

3

EDFR 8382History and Philosophy of Higher Education

3

HIED 8381Advanced Human Learning and Motivational Development

3

HIED 8383Higher Education Equity, Inclusion and Diversity

3

HIED 8384Current Issues in Higher Education

3

Free Electives - 9 Hours

Select 3 courses from the following:
EDCI 6336Problems in Education (Topics)

3

EDCI 8336Topics in Higher Education

3

 

EDUL 8340/HIED 8340Higher Education Law

3

Or

HIED 8340/EDUL 8340Higher Education Law

3

 

EDUL 8341/HIED 8341Student Affairs in Higher Education

3

Or

HIED 8341/EDUL 8341Student Affairs in Higher Education

3

EDTC 8376Special Topics in Educational Technology

3

Capstone Requirement Dissertation - 9 Hours

EDCI 8380Dissertation

3

EDCI 8690Dissertation

6

EDCI 8191Dissertation Revision

1

EDCI 8380 and EDCI 8690: Students will continuously enroll in either EDCI 8380 or EDCI 8690 until they complete their Dissertation.

EDCI 8191 may only be taken subsequent to dissertation defense with approval from advisor and may not be repeated.

Required

Written Comprehensive Exam

Dissertation Defense

Literacy Specialization:

Required Research Courses - 9 Hours

EDFR 8300Research Methods and Design

3

EDFR 8301Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8302Quantitative Research

3

Designated Research Electives - 6 Hours

Select from the following:
EDFR 8303Advanced Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8304Advanced Quantitative Research

3

EDFR 8305Program Evaluation

3

EDFR 8306Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research

3

EDFR 8307Selected Topics in Research

3

EDFR 8309Statistics in Education

3

Curriculum and Instruction Core - 21 Hours

EDCI 8300Traditions of Inquiry

3

EDCI 8320Curriculum Inquiry

3

EDCI 8321Adult Learning Strategies

3

EDCI 8323Contemporary Research in Teaching and Teacher Education

3

EDCI 8325Mentoring and Professional Development

3

EDFR 8322Advanced Historical and Sociocultural Inquiry in Education

3

EPSY 8318Advanced Human Development and Cognition

3

Specialization - 15 Hours

RLIT 8370Literacy Research, Assessment and Theory

3

RLIT 8371Transnational and Border Literacies

3

RLIT 8372Traditional and Digital Literacies

3

RLIT 8373Critical Literacies

3

RLIT 8374Literacy Policy and Leadership

3

Free Electives - 6 Hours

Chosen from the following:
RLIT 6301Digital Literacies and Young Children

3

RLIT 6302Adolescent Digital Literacy and Reading

3

RLIT 6303Digital Literacies and the Diverse Learner

3

RLIT 6305Conducting Literacy Research

3

RLIT 6306Assessment Practices in Digital Literacies and Readingÿ

3

RLIT 6307Sociocultural Foundations of Literacy

3

RLIT 6308Digital Literacies and Leadership

3

RLIT 6310Children's and Adolescent Literature

3

RLIT 6311Crossing Borders with Literature for Young People

3

RLIT 6313Literacy Development and Language Study

3

RLIT 6320Writing in the Reading Classroom

3

RLIT 6330Teaching Marginalized Readers

3

EDTC 8376Special Topics in Educational Technology

3

Capstone Requirement Dissertation - 9 Hours

EDCI 8380Dissertation

3

EDCI 8690Dissertation

6

EDCI 8191Dissertation Revision

1

EDCI 8380 and EDCI 8690: Students will continuously enroll in either EDCI 8380 or EDCI 8690 until they complete their Dissertation.

EDCI 8191 may only be taken subsequent to dissertation defense with approval from advisor and may not be repeated.

Required

Written Comprehensive Exam

Dissertation Defense

Mathematics Education Specialization:

Required Research Courses - 9 Hours

EDFR 8300Research Methods and Design

3

EDFR 8301Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8302Quantitative Research

3

Designated Research Elective - 3 Hours

Select one course from the following:
EDFR 8303Advanced Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8304Advanced Quantitative Research

3

EDFR 8305Program Evaluation

3

EDFR 8306Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research

3

EDFR 8307Selected Topics in Research

3

EDFR 8309Statistics in Education

3

Curriculum and Instruction Core - 21 Hours

EDCI 8300Traditions of Inquiry

3

EDCI 8320Curriculum Inquiry

3

EDCI 8321Adult Learning Strategies

3

EDCI 8323Contemporary Research in Teaching and Teacher Education

3

EDCI 8325Mentoring and Professional Development

3

EDFR 8322Advanced Historical and Sociocultural Inquiry in Education

3

EPSY 8318Advanced Human Development and Cognition

3

Specialization - 15 Hours

EDCI 7360Teaching and Learning Space, Dimension and Measurement Concepts.

3

EDCI 7353Teaching and Learning Algebraic Concepts

3

EDCI 8361Theories of Learning and Teaching Mathematics.

3

EDCI 8362Assessing Cognitive, Conceptual and Fluency Structures Related to Learning and Teach Mathematics

3

EDCI 8364Teaching and Learning Data Analysis and Probability

3

Designated Electives (9 Credits)

EDCI 6336Problems in Education (Topics)

3

EDCI 8350Selected Topics in Science Education

3

EDCI 8363Teaching and Learning Mathematics with Diverse Learners.

3

Capstone Requirement Dissertation - 9 Hours

EDCI 8380Dissertation

3

EDCI 8690Dissertation

6

EDCI 8191Dissertation Revision

1

EDCI 8380 and EDCI 8690: Students will continuously enroll in either EDCI 8380 or EDCI 8690 until they complete their Dissertation.

EDCI 8191 may only be taken subsequent to dissertation defense with approval from advisor and may not be repeated.

Required

Written Comprehensive Exam

Dissertation Defense

Science Education Specialization:

Required Research Courses - 9 Hours

EDFR 8300Research Methods and Design

3

EDFR 8301Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8302Quantitative Research

3

Designated Research Elective - 3 Hours

Select one course from the following:
EDFR 8303Advanced Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8304Advanced Quantitative Research

3

EDFR 8305Program Evaluation

3

EDFR 8306Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research

3

EDFR 8307Selected Topics in Research

3

EDFR 8309Statistics in Education

3

Curriculum and Instruction Core (21 Credits)

EDCI 8320Curriculum Inquiry

3

EDCI 8321Adult Learning Strategies

3

EDCI 8323Contemporary Research in Teaching and Teacher Education

3

EDCI 8324Literacy Across the Curriculum

3

EDCI 8325Mentoring and Professional Development

3

EDFR 8322Advanced Historical and Sociocultural Inquiry in Education

3

EPSY 8318Advanced Human Development and Cognition

3

Specialization (15 Credits)

EDCI 8340Technology in the Science Classroom

3

EDCI 8342Addressing the Needs of English Language Learners (ELLs) in the Science Classroom

3

EDCI 8344Diversity Issues in Science Education

3

EDCI 8346Instructional Change and Reform for Science Education Leaders

3

EDCI 8348The Historical Context of Science and Science Learning

3

Designated Electives - 9 Hours

EDCI 6336Problems in Education (Topics)

3

EDCI 8350Selected Topics in Science Education

3

EDCI 7360Teaching and Learning Space, Dimension and Measurement Concepts.

3

EDTC 8376Special Topics in Educational Technology

3

Capstone Requirement Dissertation - 9 Hours

EDCI 8380Dissertation

3

EDCI 8690Dissertation

6

EDCI 8191Dissertation Revision

1

Required

Written Comprehensive Exam

Dissertation Defense

EDCI 8380 and EDCI 8690: Students will continuously enroll in either EDCI 8380 or EDCI 8690 until they complete their Dissertation.

EDCI 8191 may only be taken subsequent to dissertation defense with approval from advisor and may not be repeated.

Special Education Specialization

Required Research Courses - 9 Hours

EDFR 8300Research Methods and Design

3

EDFR 8301Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8302Quantitative Research

3

Designated Research Elective - 3 Hours

Choose one from the following
EDFR 8303Advanced Qualitative Research

3

EDFR 8304Advanced Quantitative Research

3

EDFR 8305Program Evaluation

3

EDFR 8306Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research

3

EDFR 8307Selected Topics in Research

3

EDFR 8308Mixed Methods Research in Education

3

EDFR 8309Statistics in Education

3

Curriculum and Instruction Core - 21 Hours

EDCI 8300Traditions of Inquiry

3

EDCI 8320Curriculum Inquiry

3

EDCI 8321Adult Learning Strategies

3

EDCI 8323Contemporary Research in Teaching and Teacher Education

3

EDCI 8325Mentoring and Professional Development

3

EDFR 8322Advanced Historical and Sociocultural Inquiry in Education

3

EPSY 8318Advanced Human Development and Cognition

3

Specialization - 15 Hours

EPSY 8350Historical and Theoretical Foundations of Special Education

3

EPSY 8351Special Education Inquiry

3

EPSY 8352Special Education Law & Practice

3

EPSY 8353Special Education Literature & Readings

3

EPSY 8354Social & Emotional Interventions in Special Education

3

Designated Electives - 9 Hours

Select three of any 8000 level course

3-9

*6000 and 7000 level courses only by special approval

Capstone Requirement Dissertation - 9 Hours

EDCI 8191Dissertation Revision

1

EDCI 8380Dissertation

3

EDCI 8690Dissertation

6

EDCI 8380 and EDCI 8690: Students will continuously enroll in either EDCI 8380 or EDCI 8690 until they complete their Dissertation.
Note: EDCI 8191 may only be taken subsequent to dissertation defense with approval from advisor and may not be repeated.

Required

Written Comprehensive Exam
Dissertation Defense

Total Credit Hours: 66

In addition to all coursework requirements, students must successfully pass the comprehensive exam before beginning dissertation hours. Once this exam is passed, students will write and defend their dissertation proposal before beginning dissertation research. At the conclusion of the dissertation process, students must successfully complete an oral dissertation defense.