Instruction and Administration, EDD

The doctorate (Ed.D.) in Instruction & Administration prepares students to conduct research, teach, and/or assume leadership roles in the field of curriculum & instruction.  Graduates of this program pursue a variety of career opportunities, including: becoming university faculty in Curriculum & Instruction departments; assuming advanced leadership positions in schools, districts, and state governments; or working for curriculum development companies or in private consulting, among others. Within the Instruction and Administration Ed.D. program, students may specialize in an educational content area within Curriculum & Instruction, or they may study Curriculum & Instruction more broadly. Due to diverse professional outcomes and optional strands of specialization, coursework is planned by the major professor and advisory committee based on the student’s background, needs, and professional goals.

Areas of specialization include:

Instructional Systems Design (ISD)

Literacy Education
Social Studies Education

Admission Requirements

Applicants are evaluated holistically, with attention paid to prior educational achievement and professional experience. In addition to the admission requirements set by the Graduate School, departmental requirements include a statement of professional goals, an autobiographical sketch, professional writing samples, and three letters of professional reference. Interviews are frequently requested. All materials may be submitted through The Graduate School’s online application process.

Degree Requirements

A listing of curriculum requirements for the degree program providing detail such as the following:

Minimum of 42 credit hours beyond the master’s degree
All program plans require coursework in the following areas:
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Support work inside and/or outside the College of Education
- Research methodology courses (minimum of 9 semester hours required)

Students must successfully complete a qualifying examination consisting of both written and oral components and also present a dissertation which is the result of original research. Additionally, doctoral students are encouraged to enhance their doctoral preparation through teaching, research, and other service opportunities that are available through the department and the college.
Doctoral students in Instruction and Administration may elect to complete graduate certificates as part of their coursework. Graduate certificates in a) Distance Education and b) Teaching in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Classrooms are offered within the department. Students are also eligible for graduate certificates housed elsewhere, such as the certificate in Research Methods in Education, offered through Educational Policy and Evaluation.

https://education.uky.edu/edc/graduate/edd/