delivery
On-Campus
Curriculum and Instruction: Urban Education Concentration, Ph.D
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Program Overview
The Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, Urban Education Concentration centers on research and theory applied to critical social issues affecting schools and society from a historical, contemporary, and theoretical perspective in a global context. In order to address the complexities of urban schooling, this program draws on education, public policy, sociology, anthropology, and ethnic studies.
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Why Urban Education?
When asked about their advice for anyone considering a doctorate or their program specifically, they both had some sage words of advice, but Jaalil couldn’t help but lead with –
“Do it.”
“There are lots of people who will tell you not to do it, because it’s hard, it takes a long time, it might be expensive, you might have to sacrifice all these things – and while all of that is true, the reward is so much greater than all the sacrifice you have to make.”
Program Details
Courses
Core Courses – 18 hours
| EDCI 8620 | Pro-Seminar in Curriculum, Instruction, and Educational Leadership |
| EDCI 8180 | Critical Issues and Perspectives in Urban Education |
| EDCI 8182 | Power, Privilege and Education |
| EDCI 8184 | Social Theory and Education |
| EDCI 8186 | Globalization, Urbanization and Urban Schools |
| EDCI 8314 | Urban Education Reform |
Research Methodology Courses – 15 hours
| Required Courses: | |
| RSCH 8110 | Descriptive and Inferential Statistics |
| RSCH 8210 | Applied Research Methods |
| GRAD 8990 | Academic Integrity (must be first semester) |
| Plus at least three research electives – for a full course listing, see the academic catalog below | |
Urban Education Specialization Courses – 18 hours – must pick six courses unless enrolling in up to 6 credit hours of courses outside of this list with approval of the Program Advisor and Program Director.
| This is not an exhaustive list. Specialization options include courses like… | |
| EDCI 8061 | Topics in Urban Educational Research |
| EDCI 8070 | Topics in Urban Educational Leadership |
| EDCI 8075 | Topics in Urban-Regional Education |
| EDCI 8300 | Social Stratification and Urban Schools and Communities |
| EDCI 8460 | Internship in Urban Education |
| EDCI 8660 | Readings in Urban Education Research |
| EDCI 8682 | Seminar in Professional and Grant Writing |
| EDCI 8880 | Independent Study in Urban Education |
Dissertation Courses – 9 hours – can only be started with approval from Program Director
| EDCI 8699 | Dissertation Proposal Seminar |
| EDCI 8999 | Dissertation Research |
Admissions Requirements
Required:
- Completed Graduate School application
- Transcripts from all universities attended
- Minimum of 3 letters of recommendation
- A complete statement of purpose
- Curriculum Vitae
- A writing sample from applicant’s most recent degree
Optional:
- RE or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores
- Documentation of scholarship(s) or funding for doctoral education
- Additional recommendations
Application Deadline
The Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction reviews applications annually. Applications are due the first Monday in January each year, the next of which will be January 5, 2026. Admissions decisions are communicated to applicants by the beginning of March.