Advanced Educator Preparation - Curriculum and Instruction

Get an in-depth look at Curriculum and Instruction

The doctoral degree is granted in recognition of scholarly proficiency and distinctive achievement in a specific field/discipline. All candidates for a doctoral degree in the College of Education and Human Development must successfully complete qualifying exams and a dissertation/professional portfolio that clearly indicates the candidate has mastered and can exhibit/articulate the content knowledge, skills, and dispositions specific to their discipline and can utilize appropriate research methodologies to contribute to the body of knowledge in their field.

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View the curriculums for Curriculum and Instruction (PhD) and Curriculum and Instruction (EdS) for admission requirements, degree requirements and other information.
 

Curriculum and Instruction

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Overview

Application Deadline (Fall Admission): November 1

As part of a premier metropolitan research university, the Ph.D. program in Curriculum and Instruction prepares students for faculty positions in research and teacher education and leadership roles in schools and agencies. In this program, students work collaboratively with faculty to develop an individualized program of study based on their area(s) of interest. Some interests may not neatly fit into a particular area, but our Ph.D. program is designed to flexibly adapt to many contexts and interests. The program also is flexible for both working professionals and full-time students. 

Teacher Candidate Expectation

Teacher education candidates should visit the Educator Preparation Program page and review the expectations listed under the "Review These Teaching Profession Expectations" section.

Admission Criteria

Please visit the Educator Preparation Program page and read items listed under "Advanced Educator Preparation" for this program for more in-depth information regarding admission requirements for this program.

Curriculum

View degree requirements here.  Also found at that link are program overview and admission requirements.

Financial Aid

In addition to the financial aid opportunities offered by the University of Louisville's Financial Aid office, the College of Education & Human Development also has information about financial aid

Other financial aid opportunities available include student employment opportunities

Contact

Contact Dr. Susan Peters , 502-852-0579, with questions about the program. Information sessions are scheduled throughout the year. The next session dates will be announced soon. 

 

Program Contact 

Susan Peters 
Associate Professor 
Area: Mathematics Education 
Room 285A - 502-852-0579 
s.peters @ louisville.edu 

L2C2 Contacts 

James Chisholm 
Associate Professor 
Area: English Education 
Room: 292 — 502-852-0791 
jschis01 @ exchange.louisville.edu 

Amy Seely Flint 
Professor 
Area: Literacy 
Room 242 — Office: 502-852-2302 
amy.flint @ louisville.edu 

STEM Contacts 

Thomas Tretter 
Professor Area: Science Education 
Room 289 — 502-852-0595 
tom.tretter @ louisville.edu 

Special Education Contacts 

Ginevra Courtade 
Associate Professor 
Area: Moderate and Severe Disabilities 
Room 158A - 502-852-2144 
grcour01 @ louisville.edu 

Terry Scott 
Professor 
Area: Prevention Science, Effective Instruction 
Room 106 - 502-852-0576 
t.scott @ louisville.edu 

In addition to these individuals, you may also contact individual faculty members if their interests align with yours 

Overview

The Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction prepares classroom teachers to become specialists so that they are well-prepared to lead within their schools, districts, or region, specific to a particular area of teaching specialization (for example, Mathematics Specialist, Literacy/Reading Specialist, or Diversity Literacy Specialist). Prospective applicants for the degree are teachers who have completed a master’s degree in education (e.g., a Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) or a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), or related field, and are interested in continuing their educational pursuits, but are not interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. 

The program will provide graduates with expertise needed for strong instructional leadership in schools, including extensive knowledge of: 

  • Curriculum 
  • Leadership and coaching 
  • Data Analysis and research methods to support data-drive decision making 
  • One area of expertise within teaching (e.g. science teaching, elementary mathematics specialist, reading specialist, special education)

Highlights 

This is a 30-hour program leading to an Education Specialist degree. Teachers who have completed this program are well positioned for leadership positions such as a district science specialist or a school instructional coach. In addition, Education Specialists are strong applicants for working in non-profit organizations and college and/or university positions. 

UofL’s Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction has these defining features: 

  • Flexible choice of specialization area 
  • Collaboration with nationally-recognized experts across many specialization areas 
  • Focus on current research-based effective teaching practices 
  • Development of skills as a leader of other educators, a consumer and conductor of research, and a leader who can impact change to improve educational learning opportunities for all students 

Teacher Candidate Expectation

Teacher education candidates should visit the Educator Preparation Program page and review the expectations listed under the "Review These Teaching Profession Expectations" section.

Admission Criteria

Please visit the Educator Preparation Program page and read items listed under "Advanced Educator Preparation" for this program for more in-depth information regarding admission requirements for this program.

Curriculum

View degree requirements, admission requirements, program overview and other curriculum based information on the UofL Catalog Page for this program

Careers

An Education Specialist is prepared for positions such as these: 

  • District Curriculum Specialist (e.g., Science Education Coordinator) 
  • Program Coordinator (e.g., Early Childhood programs) 
  • Content Specialist (e.g., Math Specialist) 
  • Instructional Coach (e.g., at school or district level) 
  • Consultant (in area of specialization) (e.g., working for a state department, textbook company, tutoring agency, or online education organizations and businesses). 

For job opportunities in Kentucky, visit Kentucky Educator Placement Service 

Financial Aid

In addition to the financial aid opportunities offered by the University of Louisville's Financial Aid office, the College of Education & Human Development also has information about financial aid

Other financial aid opportunities available include student employment opportunities

Contact

Dr. Justin McFadden 
Advanced Programs Co-coordinator 
Associate Professor 
justin.mcfadden@louisville.edu 

Dr. James Chisholm 
Advanced Programs Co-coordinator 
Associate Professor 
james.chisholm@louisville.edu 

Ms. Betty Hampton 
betty.hampton@louisville.edu 
Advisor, Graduate Education Programs 
Director, Graduate Student Services 

FAQs for Ph.D. Curriculum & Instruction

FAQs for Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction