Contact Curriculum & Instruction
C & I Quicklinks
- PhD Degree Info
- Program Overview
- Program Guide for Students and Faculty
- Admissions
- Forms
- Policies, Procedures, and Checklist
Programs of study
For a complete listing of all programs of study, please visit the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies programs of study page.Graduate quick links
Curriculum and Instruction Program Overview
This dissertation-based degree is designed for those who seek advanced preparation in curriculum and instruction with the goal of participating professionally in a variety of venues, including public and private schools, community colleges, government, and other agencies.
This degree is designed to prepare you for a variety of possible paths. Our graduates work in areas such as:
- higher education
- research
- K-12 systems
- non-profit organizations and governmental agencies
Candidates pursue advanced studies in these foci:
- Early Childhood Education
- Special Education
- Teaching and Teacher Education
- Educational Technology
- Higher Education
- Bilingual/Multicultural (Diversity) Education
- Other
Program Guide for Students and Faculty
Download the Program Guide for Students and Faculty which includes the following:
- program overview
- program requirements
- admissions process
- deadlines
Programs of Study
Each programs of study includes a complete set of courses and other work that must be successfully completed before qualifying for a degree in Curriculum & Instruction.
Please visit the page for more information.
Program Requirements Accordion Closed
This 60-hour program includes four phases:
- phase 1 – coursework according to your program of study
- phase 2 – qualifying research project and comprehensive exams
- phase 3 – proposal and prospectus
- phase 4 – research and dissertation
See theacademic catalog listingfor full details on this degree, including a course listing.
Professional Development Requirement
NAU’s professional development requirement provides doctoral students the benefit and opportunity to engage in and contribute to the full spectrum of educational and professional opportunities provided by faculty and other students within their program and across the university. The Office of Graduate and Professional Studies and the University Graduate Committee concur that the doctoral professional development requirement at NAU may be met in a variety of ways, some of which fit the ethos of a particular discipline or type of cohort engaged in a particular program.
When considering appropriate standards for professional development, graduate program faculty are expected to encourage, design, provide, and monitor the professional development activities in which their doctoral students acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values appropriate to their discipline. These activities extend beyond the required coursework and may include but are not limited to attending and presenting at professional conferences; participation and active engagement in presentations of scholarly work, seminars, and events; assisting and engaging in various funding efforts to support research, scholarship, and creative work; and active participation in professional development opportunities offered by programs and the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
A minimum of 5 hours of professional development activities is required between matriculation in the program and admission to candidacy.
Graduate program faculty have the responsibility of identifying and approving how the specific professional development requirement for their program will be met, in consultation with the dean of the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies. Details regarding each program’s professional development requirement are listed on the program of study, and documentation of the completion of the professional development requirement is submitted with the candidacy application.”
Courses Accordion Closed
Our courses focus on four areas:
- Curriculum and Instruction Core Courses: Review the paradigms, theories, and dimensions of praxis from multiple perspectives.
- Research Coursework: Build your research skills in quantitative and qualitative methods.
- Field of Study/Discipline-Specific Coursework: You will choose these courses in collaboration with your adviser, based on your specific interests and research area. You can take courses from almost any graduate program at the university.
- Dissertation