2026-2027 Course Catalog
Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/education/curriculum-instruction-edd/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/
for the degree of Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
Two doctoral degree programs are offered. The Ph.D. program prepares degree candidates for careers involving research and scholarship, including those in colleges and universities where research is generally combined with teacher education. The Ed.D. program prepares scholarly practitioners for leadership positions in teacher training institutions, state education agencies, and public school districts.
Length of time for a degree:Doctoral programs usually require five years of full-time study.
Admission
Interested applicants should start at the College of Education Graduate Programs website. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to submit the following information: a statement of purpose, an updated resume, official transcripts from all colleges attended, and three letters of recommendation. A scholarly writing sample in English (e.g., a master's thesis, article, or academic paper) is required for application to a doctoral program.
International applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency for admission. Please see the English Proficiency Requirement for Admission for additional information on this requirement.
Faculty Research Interests
To learn more about our faculty’s research areas, current grants, and recent publications, please visit our department homepage and/or visit the Faculty Finder. Our faculty pursue a wide range of research interests, offering graduate students many opportunities to collaborate and participate in meaningful research projects.
Facilities and Resources
The College of Education offers a variety of resources to support graduate students throughout their academic journey. The Bureau of Educational Research assists students in securing research funding, and each student is assigned a graduate adviser to help plan their program of study, select courses, and track progress toward degree completion. Additional information about university-wide resources is available on the GradMAP website.
Financial Aid
Financial aid in the form of assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, and tuition waivers can be found throughout the college and campus. Please note: Graduate students employed as staff by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are not eligible for a College of Education Fellowship. Campus opportunities can be found at the Graduate College and the Office of Student Financial Aid.
for the degree of Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers many programs leading to the degree of Doctor of Education (Ed.D.). A list of programs and additional requirements can be found on the program's website, the College of Education Graduate Programs Handbook, and the Graduate College Handbook.
Students may select a concentration in Bilingual-Bicultural Education or Digital Learning.
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
|---|---|---|
| Major subject coursework (includes concentration courses) | 12 | |
| Research Methods | 12 | |
| Elective Hours (includes 0-12 hours of independent study) | 36 | |
| CI 599 | Thesis Research (min/max applied toward degree) | 4-16 |
| Total Hours | 64 |
Other Requirements
Grad Other Degree Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree Required for Admission to Ph.D. | |
| Residency | 2 consecutive full-time (12 hours) semesters of study on campus |
| Qualifying Exams | |
| Human Subjects Approval | |
| Premiminary Exam | |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense | |
| Dissertation Deposit | |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
for the degree of Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
- Students will develop a deep knowledge of a content area and a related cognate connected to curriculum and instruction.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to plan, implement, analyze data, and author a dissertation.
- Students will read, interpret, and critique scholarship in their academic field and across multiple fields.
- Students will understand issues related to school and society including existing inequities.
- Students will connect research with instructional practices that support learning and connect research to their professional practices.
for the degree of Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Department Head: Joshua Danish\ Director of Graduate Studies: Emma Mercier\ Graduate admissions information: Mitzi Koeberlein\ Curriculum & Instruction website\ Curriculum & Instruction faculty\ 142 Education Building, 1310 South Sixth Street, Champaign, IL 61820\ (217) 244-3542\ gradservices@education.illinois.edu
College of Education
College of Education website\ College of Education programs
Admissions
Graduate College Admissions & Requirements\ College of Education Admissions & Requirements