US News Best Grad Schools Badge Curriculum and Instruction 2024The Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction is a professional practice program designed for educators and practitioners interested in teaching in higher education or leading program improvements in educational settings, social service agencies, military organizations or business settings.

Students can pursue our fully online degree or a hybrid model that allows for use of on-campus resources. Students interested in applying for a GTA position or fellowships (both of which are very limited and rarely available in this program) should apply for the hybrid option. Both options provide fully online synchronous and asynchronous courses.

Students gain advanced skills in:

  • Evaluating the effectiveness of educational and clinical programs and identifying impediments to effective practice and program improvement.
  • Analyzing and synthesizing educational and clinical research and scholarship to identify research-based practices and solutions to complex problems of the practice.
  • Leading the change process through the implementation of data and evidence-based decisions and solutions.
Did You Know?
  • Students in the curriculum and instruction program learn through a hybrid model with synchronous and online courses.
  • Classes are offered in the evenings to accommodate working professionals’ schedules.
  • Our faculty, instructors and advisors provide expert advice to help students earn their doctorate remotely in three years.
hybrid icon
The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) logo

Areas of Specialization

Students enrolled in this program work with a team of faculty and field advisors to build expertise in their selected specialization area.

  • Curriculum and Instruction
  • Educational Psychology
  • Exceptional Student Education
  • English Language Arts
  • Gifted Education
  • Global, International and Comparative Education
  • Health & Human Performance
  • Instructional Design and Technology
  • Methodology, Measurement and Analysis
  • Reading Education
  • Social Science Education
  • TESOL

Signature Research Area

The Curriculum and Instruction Ed.D. program is excited to announce our new signature research area: Mindfulness and Meditation in Education. Students interested in exploring this topic, especially in relation to their professional organizational context, are invited to be a part of this research study group. Students and faculty involved in this signature research area will collaborate through innovative research projects to explore the role of mindfulness and meditation in education using cutting edge technology. For more information, please contact Dr. Steve Haberlin.

Learn more about our specializations.

Specialization Area Advisors

Careers & Alumni

Graduates can advance within the workplace in positions related to instruction or training. Some have led or developed training programs and initiatives that improve their practice. Others take faculty positions at teaching-focused colleges and universities, consultancy roles or positions of leadership within their field.

Maria Vazquez ‘10EdD

Maria Vazquez ‘10EdD
Curriculum and Instruction Ed.D.
Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools

Lauren Thomas ’21EdD

Lauren Thomas ’21EdD
Curriculum and Instruction Ed.D.
Director of mathematics for college readiness, Valencia College
First-place winner of UCF’s 2020 3-Minute Thesis Competition

Adam Brieske-Ulenski ’17EdD

Adam Brieske-Ulenski ’17EdD
Curriculum and Instruction Ed.D.
Assistant professor of literacy education, Bridgewater State University

Katie Philp ’19 EdD

Katie Philp ’19EdD
Curriculum and Instruction Ed.D.
Research and evaluation manager, Parramore Education and Innovation District

FAQs

No. Students can enroll full-time, but the program is aimed at working professionals, and thus the standard plan of study is for part-time enrollment of two classes per semester in the evenings.
No. Starting with Fall 2024 admissions, we will no longer require the GRE for admissions. Instead, applicants will be required to submit a scholarly writing sample.
Please check the Student Account Services website for updates on current tuition fees. Students can also learn more about available scholarships.
Applicants should have some experience in education or training-related fields.
Take time to review the list of our current specialization areas, current courses offered and correlating career opportunities. Please email eddcurriculum@ucf.edu and mention area of research interest to discuss options for an Area of Specialization that is not included in our current program offerings.
Students in the program can apply for the Lester N. Mandell Scholarship and explore other college scholarships. The UCF’s Financial Aid website includes additional scholarship and funding opportunities.
Students complete 36 credit hours of coursework and 18 dissertation hours for a total of at least 54 credit hours. The courses are designed to teach students to identify, analyze and evaluate problems of practice. To view the plan of study, visit the UCF Graduate Catalog.
  • Official transcript - One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
  • Master's degree in a closely related field.
  • Goal Statement - Written essay of 500 words or less, single-spaced. Respond to both of the following prompts. Be specific. 1) Why are you interested in pursuing an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction? Be sure to address current and/or previous academic and professional experiences and how they align with your interest in pursuing this doctoral program. 2) Describe your future career plans and how the Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction will help you achieve these goals.
  • Scholarly Writing Sample – You must include a sample of your scholarly writing that demonstrates your ability to complete graduate level coursework. Acceptable writing samples must be single authored (i.e., no co-authored documents), include citations, and demonstrate your ability to pursue the type of research that could lead to a completed dissertation. Possible samples include a chapter from a master’s thesis, a conference paper, a research paper for a graduate class, or other research project. Ideally, your writing sample should be at least 10-20 pages, double-spaced.
  • Area of Specialization - The applicant will be asked to indicate a preferred Area of Specialization in the Goal Statement. Please email eddcurriculum@ucf.edu and mention area of research interest to discuss options for an Area of Specialization that is not included in our current program offerings.
  • Resume - The applicant should include his/her most recent professional resume or curriculum vitae. The EdD in Curriculum and Instruction is a doctorate in the professional practice of education and, as such, emphasizes a minimum of three (3) years of experience in the field.
  • Three letters of reference - Three letters of reference will be read by the admissions committee to determine whether the applicant has the academic ability to succeed in the program. As such, at least two of these letters should be written by graduate faculty who can judge the applicant's abilities in a doctoral program, including their research and writing skills. One of the letters may be from the applicant's employer/supervisor. This letter will support the applicant's professional experience and commitment to the program.

In the News

Amanda Ferguson smiles in front of a garden.

UCF Curriculum and Instruction Doctoral Student Leads Orange County School to Prestigious Environmental Status

Amanda Ferguson played a critical role in helping Arbor Ridge K-8 School secure a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon...
Maria Vazquez

UCF Alumna Named First Hispanic Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools

Maria Vazquez ’95MEd ’10EdD has served as the district’s deputy superintendent since 2018...
Michele Gill

Knights Do That: The Psychology of Creating Change

Program Coordinator and Professor Michele Gregorie Gill shares a few of her favorite things that have helped her with...
Deshawn Chapman

UCF Alum Advocates for Education Research That Centers Community Homegrown Ideas

EdD alum DeShawn Chapman collaborates with communities to build educational access from early childhood to adulthood...
MIchele Gill

UCF Education Professor Creates Women’s History One Student at a Time

Michele Gill makes an impact on the present and future by making student success and support her top priority...

CHECK OUT MORE STORIES