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Residential

Curriculum Studies

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Curriculum and Instruction

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OVERVIEW

Advance Your Career

Purdue’s graduate program in curriculum studies explores the cultural, political, and economic dimensions of education, with emphases on social justice, multiculturalism, and international concerns.

We focus on the theories and practices of teaching and learning: both traditional questions concerning curriculum design and evaluation and newer questions that have emerged in the field, including how curriculum is culturally, politically, and economically situated; contemporary analyses of curriculum and instruction discourses; and multicultural, global and international dimensions of teaching and learning.

This residential program has rolling admission. Applications must be fully complete and submitted (including all required materials) and all application fees paid prior to the deadline in order for applications to be considered and reviewed. For a list of all required materials for this program application, please see the “Admissions” section.

What degree is conferred upon satisfactory completion of this program?

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration of Curriculum Studies. This information will be listed on the transcript, and the diploma states the degree objective.

Dec 1
Fall Application Deadline December 1 is the deadline for applicants interested in being considered for any available PhD funding. Applications are accepted until April 1 for all other applicants.
Oct 1
Spring Application Deadline
Feb 1
Summer Application Deadline

Courses

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Courses

17 credit hours

Required 11 credits:

  • EDCI 58000 Foundations of Curriculum
  • EDCI 58500 Multicultural Education
  • EDCI 62800 Doctoral Seminar I
  • EDCI 63800 Doctoral Seminar II
  • EDCI 68200 Contemporary Curriculum Theory

An additional 3 credits of Humanities or Social Sciences taken outside of C&I, determined in conjunction with advisor.

An additional 3 credits in Curriculum:

  • EDCI 59000 Individual Research Problems (curriculum focus)
  • EDCI 68400 Seminar in Curriculum Studies (may be repeated for credit)

15 credit hours

15 credit hours

The candidate must complete the following research methodology courses before embarking on their thesis project.

  • EDPS 53300, Introduction to Research in Education (3 credits)
  • EDCI 61500, Qualitative Research I (3 credits)
  • One Introductory Statistics Course (EDPS 55600, STAT 50100, STAT 51100, or other course pre-approved by the department) (3 credits)
  • One Advanced Elective (3 credits)
    • For qualitative methods – EDCI 61600, EDCI 62100, or other qualitative method course pre-approved by the department, or
    • For quantitative methods – EDPS 55700, STAT 50200, STAT 51200 or other quantitative method course pre-approved by the department
  • EDPS 63000, Research Seminar (3 credits)

Admissions

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Admissions

A graduate application must be submitted and application fee paid (if applicable) by the application deadline. In addition, the materials listed under the Application Requirements section below must be submitted by the application deadline in order for an application to be considered complete and for the application to be reviewed for admission consideration. Please review the How to Apply section below before submitting an application.

A completed master’s degree is required prior to admission.

Below are the materials required for this application. Visit the Office of Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS) website for more information about the requirements below.

  • Transcripts (from all universities attended)
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • 3 Recommendations
  • Resume/CV
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • International Applicants must meet English Proficiency Requirements set by the Purdue Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars

We encourage prospective students to submit an application early, even if not all required materials are uploaded. Applications are not forwarded on for faculty review until all required materials are uploaded.

When submitting your application for this program, please select the following options:

  • Campus and Program Tab:
    • Select a Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
    • Select your proposed graduate major: Curriculum and Instruction
  • First Choice Program Details Tab:
    • Please select an Area of Interest: Curriculum Studies
    • Please select a Degree Objective: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
    • Primary Course Delivery: Residential

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Licensure

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Licensure Information

This program does not lead to licensure in the state of Indiana or elsewhere. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) before continuing with the program application if you have questions regarding licensure or contact your state Department of Education about how this program may translate to licensure in your state of residence.

program FACULTY

Learn From the Experts

Explore how Purdue’s faculty for the residential PhD in Curriculum Studies can prepare you to help all students learn.

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Jake Burdick

Associate Professor

Nadine Dolby

Professor

Stephanie Masta

Professor

Stephanie Oudghiri Scherer

Clinical Assistant Professor

Amber M. Neal-Stanley

Assistant Professor

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