Learning Outcomes

• Cultural Competence. Advanced program candidates demonstrate a high level of competence in understanding and responding to diversity of culture, language, and ethnicity.
• Knowledge and Application of Ethical Principles. Advanced program candidates demonstrate in-depth knowledge and thoughtful application of the Code of Ethical Conduct and other guidelines relevant to their professional role.
• Communication Skills. Advanced program candidates possess a high level of oral, written, and technological communication skills, with specialization for the specific professional role(s) emphasized in the program. For doctoral programs, candidates are prepared to publish and present at conferences.
• Mastery of Relevant Theory and Research. Advanced program candidates demonstrate in-depth, critical knowledge of the theory and research relevant to the professional role(s) and focus area(s) emphasized in the program.
• Skills in Identifying and Using Professional Resources. Advanced program candidates demonstrate a high level of skill in identifying and using the human, material, and technological resources needed to perform their professional roles and to keep abreast of the field’s changing knowledge base.
• Inquiry Skills and Knowledge of Research Methods. Using systematic and professionally accepted approaches, advanced program candidates demonstrate inquiry skills, showing their ability to investigate questions relevant to their practice and professional goals.
• Skills in Collaborating, Teaching, and/or Mentoring. Advanced program candidates demonstrate the flexible, varied skills needed to work collaboratively and effectively with other adults in professional roles.
• Advocacy Skills. Advanced program candidates demonstrate competence in articulating and advocating for sound professional practices and public policies for the positive development and learning of all students.
• Leadership Skills. Advanced program candidates reflect on and use their abilities and opportunities to think strategically, build consensus, create change, and influence better outcomes for students, families, and the profession.
• Curriculum/Instruction Skills. Advanced program candidates demonstrate competence in designing, developing, implementing and evaluating school based and other organizational curricula.
• Curriculum/Diversity Skills. Advanced program candidates demonstrate competence in the formulation and use of interpretive frameworks to study and understand the relationships among human diversity, school structures, and the curriculum.
• Human Growth and Development Skills: Advanced program candidates demonstrate the vast array of differences among children, youth, and adults, and the impact of these differences on the curriculum, their learning, and their social and emotional development.

Degree Requirements (60 Post Masters Hours)

The Ed.D in Curriculum and Instruction stresses the importance of core and diverse curriculum issues and prepares comprehensive curriculum practitioners for university professorships, district-level curriculum administration, and school-level instructional and leadership positions. Students must complete either a concentration in Curriculum Studies or Education Technology.

The Curriculum Studies concentration emphasizes concerns for equity and social justice, self-knowledge, cultural issues, and human growth and development through a praxiological (theory/practice) approach to diversity education. The Educational Technology concentration stresses the importance of developing and utilizing educational technology in curriculum.

The program provides an in-depth understanding of the history, concepts, current techniques, strategies, and issues of diversity in school, institutional, and community settings and facilitates self-reflection for engaging in diversity education as well as integrating core technology skills needed for specialists and consultants.