Curriculum and Instruction Ed.D.

Program Description

The Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction offers advanced coursework for personnel in Pre-K-12 schools and higher education. This program provides the content and skill development for leaders in schools, colleges, and universities to be able to function at their highest capacity and advance their careers. The program includes ten core courses and eight specialization courses. The core courses emphasize skill development in research that will be required to complete the dissertation. The specialization courses emphasize philosophical and psychological foundations, theories of learning, diversity, leadership, human resources and personnel management, instructional strategies, and technology integration. Courses are delivered in a blended instruction format with 2-3 required face-to-face classroom sessions per semester. 

Ed.D. Admission Requirements

• Minimum GPA of 3.5 in all graduate (Masters and/or Specialist) degree coursework.
• Completed Masters or Specialist degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (Alumni from Georgia College will have the Georgia College transcript on file and need not send that one separately.). Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution to be eligible for admission into a graduate program at Georgia College.
• Two professional recommendations from colleagues in current or previous professional settings.
• Submission of a Graduate Application (including application fee). See (LINK TO GRADUATE ADMISSIONS)
• Submission of a curriculum vitae or resume describing professional experiences and accomplishments.
• Submit a 2 -5 page, double-spaced writing sample that addresses your rationale for applying to the Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction program. Be sure to articulate howparticipating in this program would support you in achieving your professional and personal goals as an educator.
• Official score report for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General or the Miller’s Analogies Test (MAT) taken within the past five years.
• Students who wish to seek initial certification in Curriculum and Instruction through the GAPSC must provide evidence of a valid, level 4 or higher Induction, Professional, Advanced Professional, or Lead Professional teaching certificate, leadership certificate, service field certificate, or Life certificate.

Secondary Admission Information

A faculty panel will evaluate all applications and make a prioritized decision on admission to each cohort. The decision will be made within one month of the closing date of application.
* NOTE: A qualified application DOES NOT guarantee admission. Cohort admission is highly competitive.

Ed.D. Advisement

A member of the graduate faculty is charged with assisting the candidate in the planned course of study. The advisor may or may not also serve as the student’s dissertation chair. The advisor 1) assists the candidate with information of timelines for satisfactory progress towards degree completion; 2) completes the faculty portion of the annual evaluation; and 3) confers with the candidate regarding exams and committee selection.

Ed.D. Transfer Credit

Candidates may transfer up to nine hours of graduate coursework in the specialization area (see electives). These courses must be from a regionally accredited college or university with a grade of B or better and must not be included in another degree program. None of the ten core courses or required specialization courses can be transferred into the degree.  Each candidate should work with their advisor to select appropriate courses and submit the request for transfer credit to the Chair of the Department of Professional Learning and Innovation for final approval and submission to the Registrar.

Ed.D. Exit Requirements

The Curriculum and Instruction doctoral degree will be granted in recognition of in-depth understanding of a specific field of knowledge, breadth and soundness of scholarship, and proficiency in research, not upon the completion of any prescribed amount of coursework.  Evidence of this attainment must be presented through the passing of comprehensive examinations as prescribed and the presentation of an acceptable dissertation at the completion of independent research.

Certification Upgrades

The C&I Ed.D. degree leads to Georgia S-7 (Service) Certificate and requires successful passage of the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) exam in Curriculum and Instruction. Candidates completing the program are eligible for a certificate upgrade to Level 7 (pending approval).

Academic Dismissal Policy

Candidates must maintain a 3.0 (B) average throughout the program and earn an A or B in all courses. Candidates who fail to meet this requirement will be placed on graduate academic dismissal and will not be allowed to continue in the graduate program. To be considered for readmission to the program, the candidate must successfully petition the Doctoral Program Coordinator and the Dean of the College. Final approval resides with the Director of the Graduate School.

Ed.D. Graduate Assistantships

Limited Graduate Assistantships are available. Applications can be accessed at: www.gcsu.edu/graduate-studies-graduate%20assistants-the-graduate-school

Total Credit Hours: 60

Further Information

Prospective students desiring further information on graduate programs may contact Shanda Brand, Graduate Director, at Georgia College, Campus Box 70, Milledgeville, GA 31061.

Email: Shanda.Brand@gcsu.edu

Phone: 478-445-1383.  (Toll free in Georgia at 1-800-342-0471, extension 1383)