Doctorate in Education - Curriculum Studies - Hybrid

The Curriculum Studies Program at Georgia Southern University is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) for all certification field upgrades.

It an interdisciplinary program that encompasses a broad range of considerations from the purely theoretical to the pragmatic questions of design and evaluation. The program is designed to nurture and create teaching professionals and professors who are independent thinkers capable of doing scholarly work to enhance the learning experiences of students in various educational settings, including, but not limited to K-12 and higher education. Graduates from our program are equipped with knowledge and skills that enable them to be leaders who are capable of making ethical and wise decisions in professional settings, as well as competent scholars who are able to conduct independent research and evaluate research projects and scholarly creations.

Areas of Study

This degree program consists of work in five areas:

1. Curriculum Studies Foundations,
2. Research and Inquiry,
3. Curriculum and Pedagogy Courses,
4. Emphasis Area, and
5. Dissertation.

The first two areas require a combined minimum of 39 credit hours of coursework, the third area requires a minimum of 9 credit hours of coursework, the fourth area requires a minimum of 12 credit hours, and the fifth area requires a minimum of 6 credit hours. The complete program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework plus a minimum of 6 credit hours of dissertation.

Students may opt out of the Ed.D Curriculum Studies program and instead receive an Educational Specialist’s (Ed.S.) Degree in Curriculum Studies upon completion of all 60 credit hours of required Ed.D. coursework and satisfaction with the Candidacy Exam. Please contact the program director for more information.¹

Emphasis Areas

This program offers three interdisciplinary emphasis areas covering a broad terrain of scholarly inquiry and educational application.

1. Cultural Curriculum Studies
   This emphasis area provides intensive exposure to critical aspects of the Curriculum Studies field. It also centers on the study of popular culture in its many manifestations and the implications of the ways in which the study of these educational sites impacts the social construction of identity and the intersections of popular culture on pedagogy and curriculum theory.
2. Learning, Development, and Curriculum
   This emphasis area meets the needs of many practicing professionals including curriculum directors, staff development personnel, instructional coordinators, high school department chairs, and lead teachers as well as others in teaching or administrative positions at the P-12 level or in higher education.
3. Multicultural and Social Justice Education
   This emphasis area reflects the growing importance of addressing issues of culture, diversity, and social justice at all levels of education. The emphasis area allows examination of the needs of culturally diverse groups, the relationship between culture and academic achievement, and processes and mechanisms for realizing social justice aims within formal and informal educational environments.

Admission Requirements

The following minimum admission requirements must be met:

1. Complete the requirements for a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
2. Present a minimum grade point average of 3.25 (4.0 scale) in all graduate work attempted (or other appropriate evidence of scholarly aptitude necessary for doctoral study).
3. International Students who have not earned a degree at an institution of higher education in the United States must also submit the results of the TOEFL Examination.
4. Submit a personal statement of purpose, not to exceed 200 words, that identifies the applicant’s reasons for pursuing graduate study and how admission into the program relates to the applicant’s professional aspirations.
5. Submit three (3) letters of recommendation from persons well acquainted with the applicant’s academic and/or professional performance.
6. Submit a completed “Disclosure and Affirmation Form” that addresses misconduct disclosure, the Code of Ethics for Educators, and tort liability insurance.
7. Complete a writing sample. For more information, please visit the Ed.D. Curriculum Studies program’s website. (https://coe.georgiasouthern.edu/cs/)
8. Complete an interview, if requested.

Applicants’ credentials will be evaluated by the Ed.D. in Curriculum Studies Admissions Committee in order to identify the candidates in that applicant pool to recommend for admission; admission is competitive. The number of applicants accepted each year will be dependent upon available resources. Applications will be evaluated once per year for Summer admissions. Students seeking a certificate upgrade must identify a concentration (i.e., certification field) on the Ed.D. admission application.

Some students might enter the program carrying coursework beyond the master’s degree. Once admitted and a Candidacy Committee Chair is identified, up to 9 credit hours of applicable and appropriate post-master’s work may apply toward degree requirements with the approval of the student’s Candidacy Committee Chair.

Enrollment

Continuous enrollment in dissertation phase is required.

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation