Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction
Our Ed.D. program is ideal for any scholar interested in problems of practice that emerge in educational settings.
Explore important issues of development, implementation and assessment in curriculum and instruction. Our Ed.D. program gives you the opportunity to tackle these issues head-on by working with community partners in formal and informal education settings.
Our Ed.D. program is affiliated with the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). This means we follow the best practices of the CPED and provide exceptional coursework and learning opportunities to help you delve deeply into issues, theory and matters of practice surrounding equity and social responsibility.
Working closely with our nationally recognized faculty, you will develop curricular expertise and applied research skills that will prepare you to become a leader in the field of education.
Our Ed.D. program follows a cohort model — you will take most of your classes with the same group of people over the course of three years. This model allows you to work as a community to explore problems of practice and develop solutions while also supporting your individual interests and perspectives around particular educational challenges and opportunities.
Areas of Study
If your interests lie outside of these areas, you still have many options. Our experienced faculty will help you develop a coursework plan that supports your learning needs and professional goals.
Curriculum Studies
- Students learn about curriculum design, models of curricula, instructional strategies, assessment and student engagement.
- Students explore themes including (but not limited to) diversity, teacher education, aesthetics, urban education, family studies, social work, library and information science, zoo and museum education, and international education.
Mathematics Education
- Students learn about ambitious and equitable instructional practices that support meaningful learning experiences for all students, particularly those in historically marginalized groups.
- Students learn various research designs and methods to address problems of practice within mathematics education.
Gifted Education
- Students learn about gifted education and leadership theory so they can become leaders in gifted education.
- Students develop research skills focused on problem identification and interventions.
- Students gain eligibility for a Colorado Department of Education endorsement in Gifted Education.
Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE)
- Students learn about culturally responsive pedagogy and the cultural, language, cognitive and academic needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners.
- Students apply knowledge of language acquisition, culturally relevant literature, curriculum and assessment practice, and funds of knowledge to bridge communities, classrooms and schools.
- Students gain eligibility for a Colorado Department of Education endorsement in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education.
Special Education
- Students learn about social-emotional, cognitive, academic and behavioral outcomes for children with special needs.
- Students collaborate with families, community partners and school personnel to enhance learning opportunities for children with special needs.
- Students gain eligibility to apply for a Colorado Department of Education endorsement in Special Education.
Twice-Exceptionality
- Students learn about social-emotional, cognitive, academic and behavioral needs for children with both special needs and giftedness.
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes for the Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction program are as follows:
- Inclusive Excellence: Create systems of empowerment to improve educational outcomes for diverse students, families and communities, especially those who are or have been marginalized.
- Research: Critically analyze and conduct rigorous research to address educational inequities.
- Leadership & Advocacy: Act as an agent of change.
- Curriculum: Design, implement and evaluate curriculum that supports learning for all students.
- Instruction: Design, implement and evaluate effective and equitable instructional practices.
- Assessment: Design, implement and evaluate assessments to guide instruction and improve student learning.