Program Overview

With the present climate of accountability, there is a substantial demand for educators who have a high level of expertise in school improvement, professional learning, and educational research.  Educators who work with various student populations should be able to identify current needs, examine or explore those needs, and implement practices and/or policies based on empirical literature to improve those needs.  The College of Education and Health Professions at Columbus State University is committed to developing this level of expertise through the Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Leadership Program.  The EdD Program offers three specialization program tracks:

Curriculum,

Educational Leadership, and

Higher Education Administration.

The Curriculum program track follows a cohort model implemented through synchronous and asynchronous online instruction. Courses in the 63-credit hour, doctoral program are intended for classroom educators, school administrators, district personnel, and other individuals seeking professional expertise in curriculum and instruction.  Upon program completion in the Curriculum specialization program track, EdD students may add Curriculum and Instruction certification (i.e., S-7) to their Georgia teaching certificate after passing the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators in Curriculum and Instruction.

Additional program information can be found on the CSU Department of Teacher Education, Leadership, and Counseling website.

Career Opportunities

Careers, such as teacher leaders, curriculum specialists, and curriculum leaders in schools or districts, are available to individuals who earn a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Leadership with a specialization in curriculum.

Program of Study

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Research Area
EDUF 8126	Introduction to Statistical Methods in Education	3
EDUF 8117	Qualitative Research Methods	3
EDUF 8127	Quantitative Experimental Research	3
Choose One:		3
EDUF 8118	Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
EDUF 8125	Mixed Methods Research in Education
EDUF 8128	Advanced and Multivariate Statistical Methods
EDUF 8135	Survey and Questionnaire Design
EDUF 8701	Doctoral Seminar I	1
EDUF 8702	Doctoral Seminar II	1
EDUF 8703	Doctoral Seminar III	1
Research Area Total		15
Dissertation Area
EDUF 8129	Developing the Dissertation Prospectus	3
EDUF 8999	The Dissertation	9
EDUF 8996	Prospectus Defense	0
EDUF 8998	Proposal Defense	0
EDUF 8000	Ed.D. Dissertation Defense	0
Dissertation Area Total		12
Elective Area
12 Hours of Advisor-Approved 8000-level Electives
Elective Area Total		12
Curriculum and Instruction Area
EDCI 8115	Diversity in Education	3
EDCI 8116	Trends and Issues in Curriculum Studies	3
EDCI 8117	Professional Development and Learning	3
EDCI 8157	Quality Assessment and Evaluation	3
EDCI 8167	Curriculum Development and Reform	3
EDCI 8177	Curriculum Design and Evaluation	3
EDCI 8187	Applications of Neurological Research to Student Learning	3
EDCI 8555	Selected Topics in Education	3
Specialization Area		24
Total Credit Hours		63

Admissions decisions are based on a holistic combination of criteria, including the interview, writing assessment, recommendations, professional experiences and academic transcripts. 

• Applicant must hold at least a master’s degree from an accredited United States institution, or the equivalent from an international institution.
• Good academic standing at previous institution(s).
• Cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on all graduate course work at an accredited United States institution in fulfillment of the requirement for a graduate degree and post-baccalaureate coursework.
• Four (4) years of experience in a school setting or in a leadership role in the private sector shown by completing the Teaching Experience Form. 
• Background check to verify no criminal record or discharge from the armed services that would prevent recommendation for related teacher, counseling, or leadership certifications.
• Statement of Purpose
• Two (2) professional letters of recommendation.
• Successful completion of interview and timed writing assessment.
• For international students, additional criteria may be required.  See International Graduate Admissions for more details.

Additional Program Requirements

• Completion of all required EdD coursework (i.e., minimum of 63 semester hours and a minimum of 51 semester hours in residence) with a 3.25 GPA and no more than one grade of C applying toward the degree (i.e., good academic standing).
• Appointment of an approved EdD dissertation committee.
• Approval of the Dissertation Prospectus by the EdD Dissertation Committee.
• Approval of the Dissertation Proposal by the EdD Dissertation Committee.
• Met all program requirements (i.e., successful defense of final dissertation and approval of final dissertation publication by the EdD Dissertation Committee, Director of Doctoral Program in Education, Director of COEHP Office of Graduate Studies, Dean of COEHP, and CSU Library).
• Maintained continuous enrollment in EDUF 8999 The Dissertation until completion of the EdD dissertation.