Best Online Doctorates In Curriculum And Instruction

Based in Fayetteville, U of A offers an education specialist degree in curriculum & instruction, training candidates in advanced research, instruction, and other education topics. Students pursuing their curriculum and instruction degree online complete a minimum of 33 credits, typically taking 2-3 years to complete. The program curriculum includes nine credits of research courses, nine credits of curriculum and instruction courses, and 12-18 credits of area interest electives, offering advanced knowledge in topics such as gifted and talented education, special education leadership, and literacy studies. While U of A offers most course material online, students may also mix in evening campus courses if they desire.

Designed for practicing educators, UF's degree in curriculum and instruction online draws explicit connections between education theory and classroom practice, encouraging teachers to apply coursework to their own teaching methods. This cohort-based program has students to complete most courses together in the same sequence, sharing knowledge and building deeper connections with peers and faculty. While UF offers most coursework online, candidates must attend weeklong residency sessions held each summer on campus in Gainesville. These intensive sessions combine classroom work, individual meetings with faculty, guest lectures, and socializing opportunities. Students must also visit campus for final exams and dissertation defense, each lasting one day.

A major public college based in Columbia, USC hosts an online doctor of education in curriculum & instruction with a curriculum studies concentration. This advanced degree serves the needs of education professionals who plan to work as curriculum specialists for K-12 schools or higher education institutions. Requiring a total of 60 credits, the program includes five distinction components: 12 credits of curriculum and instruction courses, 15 credits in curriculum studies concentration courses, nine hours of professional development courses, 12 credits of research courses, and 12 credits of dissertation courses. Most candidates complete the program in about 36 months.

A premier public colleges in Texas, A&M hosts one of the state's top curriculum and instruction degree online. Stressing both curriculum and instructional assessment, the doctor of education in curriculum & instruction prepares mid-career K-12 education professionals to assume top level leadership roles in schools and other education organizations. The degree emphasizes three major goals: discovery, leadership, and application of knowledge. Students complete a minimum of 64 credits, with courses offered in a cohort model that increases collaboration among candidates. Along with core coursework, all students complete a two-semester, 300-hour internship that applies class learning to a professional education environment (typically their current place of employment).

Located in Pensacola, UWF ranks among the top college in Florida for candidates pursuing a curriculum and instruction doctorate degree online. The school's doctor of education in curriculum & instruction trains students to construct, implement, and assess curriculum measures, building both qualitative research skills and knowledge of educational philosophies and practices. Offering three start dates throughout the year, the program also uses a fully online delivery format, providing flexibility for working education professionals. Students complete a total of 66 credits, with a curriculum that includes a 30-credit professional core, an 18-credit specialization component, an 18-credit doctoral seminar, and a six-credit dissertation. Most students complete the program in 48 months.

Based in northern Louisiana, ULM offers a doctor of education in curriculum & instruction that explores the moral, social, and political foundations of education. Using a fully online format with accelerated eight-week terms, the program makes it easy for working students to earn a degree without putting their career on hold. Candidates complete a minimum of 60 credits, split between 24 credits of core courses and 36 credits of concentration courses. The program core covers general topics such as educational research, and instructional design, while the concentration core delves into specialized subjects such as decision making for school improvement and education law.

A major public research college based in Las Cruces, NMSU offers a doctor of education and a doctor of philosophy in curriculum and instruction, both with similar curriculum requirements (the Ph.D. requires an extra language/computer tools component). While most coursework occurs online, NMSU requires students to attend intensive summer sessions held on campus each year. Lasting two weeks, these campus residencies bring students and faculty together for traditional classroom courses, workshops, and other activities. Typically occurring during the second and third weeks of June, the sessions require class attendance Monday-Friday but offer weekends off. The first summer session inaugurates the program and serves as an extended orientation.

One of the country's largest providers of online education, Liberty offers a wide assortment of online programs, including a doctor of education with a specialization in curriculum and instruction. This 60-credit degree explores topics in education administration, learning theory, and curriculum development, encouraging candidates to develop their professional practice as educators, administrators, and researchers. Liberty offers all courses for the curriculum and instruction degree online, but students can also attend optional campus residency sessions, which include hands-on learning activities, workshops, and opportunities for socializing and networking. Most students complete the program in about three years.

Students pursuing a degree in curriculum and instruction online at Concordia-Chicago choose from either a 61-credit doctor of education or a 67-credit doctor of philosophy. Both programs offer a similar curriculum that trains candidates to design, implement, and assess curriculum programs in public and private schools. Stressing knowledge in research, curriculum mapping and evaluation, and best practices for teaching and learning, this comprehensive degree explores challenges and solutions for teacher education programs. Students complete a variety of courses, covering topics such as school/district improvement data analysis and research-based instructional practices. All candidates also complete both a dissertation a comprehensive final exam.

A Christian college based in Berrien Springs, Michigan, Andrews offers both a doctor of education and a doctor of philosophy in curriculum & instruction. Both tracks focus heavily on research, preparing graduates to improve curriculum and education practices through exploration of theoretical and conceptual education models. Students complete a comprehensive selection of education and research courses, covering topics such as curriculum theory, teaching in higher education, internationalizing curriculum studies, and assessment and evaluation of learning. Candidates also complete extensive research into an approved education topic, culminating in a dissertation. This flexible yet rigorous program offers multiple start dates throughout the year, including three summer sessions.