Graduation Requirements

The ability to make formal oral presentations and to do scholarly writing is an expectation of the Program. The Graduate Education and Research Department reserves the right to terminate a student after admission to the doctoral program, if in the judgment of the faculty the student demonstrates unacceptable progress in these areas.

The doctoral degree requires that students complete a minimum of 54 post-master’s credits as noted in the published curriculum. After completion of the six dissertation credits, students must continually register for one to three (1-3) credits per semester until they have finished the dissertation and met all the requirements for the degree.

Requirements for the Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction include:

• Plan of Study – The published curriculum must be completed to satisfy the pre-dissertation academic requirements. The faculty advisor and the Program Chair or Doctoral Program Director must approve modification of the curriculum.
  
• Residency – Two semesters of continuous registration for six (6) or more credits.
  
• Standards of Progress – All students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher to remain in good academic standing and to graduate. Any student who receives two C’s in the program is subject to school action, including dismissal. Failing grades must be replaced by a passing grade in the same course or the student is subject to dismissal.
  
• Comprehensive Examination – A written examination taken upon completion of course requirements
  
• Admission to Candidacy – Upon passing the comprehensive examination and verification that all coursework and other requirements have been satisfied, admission to candidacy status allows the candidate to formally begin the dissertation.
  
• Research Proposal and Oral Defense of Said Proposal – These must be completed prior to proceeding with the dissertation.
  
• Dissertation – A written thesis which adds substantively to the theory and/ or practice in Curriculum and Instruction.
  
• Oral Defense of the Dissertation – A public presentation of the results of the dissertation at which members of the Dissertation Committee and others are given the opportunity to ask questions before approving or disapproving the dissertation.
  
• Time Limitations – Requirements, including the dissertation, must be completed by the end of eight (8) calendar years beginning with the date the student first registers as a student for the Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction.
  
• All fees must be paid and requirements for the degree must be completed and reported to the faculty advisor no later than two weeks prior to graduation.
  
• Students are required to complete a dissertation that demonstrates originality, creativity, and scholarship in the field of curriculum and instruction. Students who complete all the requirements for the Ph.D. degree will be properly equipped to lead and promote educational change in policy, organizations, and teacher education.