Required Courses
REQUIRED COURSES (80 CREDIT HOURS)
Program Knowledge Base
Students must take 6 credit hours of the required courses listed below.
Students must then select an additional 6 credit hours of elective courses. Course selection is subject doctoral committee approval.
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EDCI 5600 Diversity in Education (3 credit hours)
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EDCI 5800 Curriculum Development (3 credit hours)
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EDAD 5720 - Educational Leader as Change Agent (3 credit hours)
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EDAD 5650 - Educational Leader as Communicator (3 credit hours)
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EDCI 5665 History & Philosophy of Education (3 credit hours)
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EDCI 5730 Learning & Cognition (3 credit hours)
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PRST 5900 Practicum in College Teaching (3 credit hours)
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Other graduate-level courses determined in consultation with committee
Advanced Research Courses
Students must take 6 credit hours of the required courses listed below.
Students must then select an additional 6 credit hours of elective research courses. Course selection is subject doctoral committee approval.
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EDRE 5121 - Ethics in Reseach and Professional Practice (3 credit hours)
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EDRE 5530 - Introduction to Research (3 credit hours)
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EDRE 5550 - Action Research (3 credit hours)
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EDRE 5610 - Ed Research 2: Group Comparison (3 credit hours)
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EDRE 5620 - Ed Research 3: Correlational (3 credit hours)
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EDRE 5630 - Ed Research 4: Multivariate (3 credit hours)
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EDRE 5650 - Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (3 credit hours)
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EDRE 5870 - Mixed Methods or other Seminar (3 credit hours)
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Other graduate-level research course determined in consultation with committee
Practicum/Internship
Two credit hours. Must be determined with doctoral committee.
Curriculum and Instruction Specialization
Students must select a minimum of 15 credit hours around one area at the 4000 level or better; courses below are menu options, not requirements Course selection is subject doctoral committee approval.
Foundations of Education
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ADED 5050 Learning Theories for Education (3 credit hours)
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ADED 5510 Adult Ed Movement in the US (3 credit hours)
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ADED 5680 Issues in Higher Education (3 credit hours)
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ADED 5710 International and Comparative Education (3 credit hours)
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EDCI 5665 History & Philosophy of Education (3 credit hours)
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EDCI 5050 MSGI Issues in Education (3 credit hours)
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ADED 5260 Educational Issues in Race, Class & Gender (3 credit hours)
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FCSC 5114 Human Lifespan Development (3 credit hours)
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FCSC 5117 Understanding Community Leadership (3 credit hours)
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FCSC 5122 Developmental Contexts Across the Lifespan (3 credit hours)
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EDCI 5070 International Issues in Education (3 credit hours)
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Other graduate-level coursework determined in consultation with committee (3 credit hours)
Early Childhood/Elementary Education
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EDCI 5140 Storytelling (3 credit hours)
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EDCI 5160 Recent Trends in Children’s Literature (3 credit hours)
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EDEC 5210 Special Topics in Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)
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EDCI 5050 MSGI Issues in Education (3 credit hours)
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ADED 5260 Educational Issues in Race, Class & Gender (3 credit hours)
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EDEC 5240 Eval Young Children W/Disabilities (3 credit hours)
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EDEC 5220 Children with Disabilities B-5 (3 credit hours)
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EDEC 5230 Curriculum for Young Children with Disabilities (3 credit hours)
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EDEC 5250 Legal Issues in Early Childhood Special Education Health Management (3 credit hours)
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EDEC 4350 Issues in Early Childhood Special Education (3 credit hours)
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FCSC 4124 Families of Young Children with Special Needs (3 credit hours)
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FCSC 5120 Infancy and Toddlerhood (3 credit hours)
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FCSC 5129 Seminar in Child Development (3 credit hours)
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FCSC 5132 Seminar in Family Studies (3 credit hours)
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FCSC 5112 Family Decision and Resource Management (3 credit hours)
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FCSC 5138 Family Stress/Coping (3 credit hours)
American Indian Education
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EDCI 5110 Educational Foundations of American Indian Education (3 credit hours)
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EDCI 5121 History and Philosophy of American Indian Education (3 credit hours)
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EDCI 5130 Cultural Foundations of American Indian Education (3 credit hours)
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EDCI 5141 Instructional Methods in American Indian Education (3 credit hours)
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Other graduate-level coursework determined in consultation with committee (3 credit hours)
English as a Second Language
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EDCI 5350 Introduction to Second Language Acquisition (3 credit hours)
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EDCI 5430 ESL Theory and Methods I (3 credit hours)
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EDCI 5440 ESL Theory and Methods II (3 credit hours)
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EDCI 5760 Social Literacies (3 credit hours)
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Other graduate-level coursework determined in consultation with committee (3 credit hours)
Secondary Content Area
Dissertation in Practice
Students must take all 12 credit hours listed below.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
After coursework is completed, you mush satisfy the below requirements before completing your program and gaining your doctoral credential.
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Preliminary Exam - After completing your coursework you will need to take a preliminary exam.
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Program Outcomes - You must submit written demonstration to show you have met the learning outcomes determined by your program, department, or committee.
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Dissertation - After your preliminary exam, you will present and defend your doctoral dissertation.
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Residency - You must satisy all requirements of your residency.
Additional Information:
Application Process:
Applications for the Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction, Curriculum Studies concentration are due September 1 for spring semester admission and February 1 for summer or fall semester admission.
Applications for the PhD in Curriculum Studies are only reviewed two times per year: immediately after September 1 and immediately after February 1. If you require an earlier decision, please apply for the deadline a year prior to ensure your application can be reviewed in time for planning international study.
Minimal Admissions Criteria for PhD Program
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission; however, meeting minimal admissions criteria does not automatically ensure admission to the program.
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Master’s degree from an accredited institute of higher education.
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It is highly recommended these courses are taken prior to admission, but can be taken within the first semesters of admission to the PhD Program. EDRE 5530 Intro to Research, EDCI 5000 Principles of Curriculum, EDCI 5450 Issues in Multicultural Education, and EDCI 5790 Advanced Instructional Strategies, or equivalent coursework.
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Score of “Proficient” or higher on a letter of intent describing academic goals, teaching experiences, and reasons for pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Wyoming. This letter serves as a writing sample, an indicator of the applicant’s proficiency in writing. For a full description of the letter of intent and scoring categories, see guideline below.
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Three (3) years of P-12 teaching experience or its equivalent.
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Copy of GRE scores, current within the last five years.
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Three letters of recommendation, completed by an individual familiar with the applicant’s academic performance, a current or recent supervisor, and/or a selected colleague and/or community member.
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Transcript evaluation for undergraduate/graduate degree completion, reflecting a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale on the applicant’s most recent degree from an accredited institution, plus transcripts from all other schools attended.
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A TOEFL score of 525 (paper-based), 197 (computer-based) or above is required for international students. Students may occasionally be admitted provisionally with lower test scores.
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Submission of all required supplemental materials:
Required Supplemental Materials
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Three Letters of Recommendation
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Sample of academic writing
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Transcripts reflecting most recent degree (3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale required) from an accredited institution plus transcripts from all other schools attended. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted through the online application. Official ones will be required if admitted.
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Copy of GRE scores
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Letter of Intent describing career goals and reasons for pursuing a graduate degree at the University of Wyoming
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Resume
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Demonstration of teaching experience
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A TOEFL score of 525 (paper-based), 197 (computer exam) or above is required for international students. Until further notice, due to COVID-19 related postponements/cancellations of TOEFL/IELTS exams, we will be accepting Duolingo scores or 110 or higher as proof of English proficiency.
Please note that meeting minimal admissions criteria does NOT automatically ensure admission to a program.
Guidelines for Letter of Intent
A letter of intent must be submitted with other required admissions materials. The letter of intent serves as a writing sample, an indicator of the applicant’s proficiency in writing. The admissions committee will be examining both the quality of the written sample and the depth of its content. In the letter of intent please address the following questions:
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Teaching Experiences: Provide a detailed description of your teaching experiences including how many years you have taught as well as what grades and/or subjects you have taught. Describe crucial aspects of your teaching experience and how you have developed as a teacher as a result of these experiences. Finally explain how your teaching background will influence your graduate studies.
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Personal Strengths: Explain what you will bring to our program and your classes that may demonstrate your ability to be a successful graduate student and ability to contribute to the learning environment.
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Academic Goals: Describe in detail why you wish to pursue a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, including why you want to do so at this time and how you are planning to use the degree in the future. Include a description of specific areas of study you are interested in and include your goals for graduate study and why these goals are important?
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Potential Advisor(s): If you have communicated with a professor(s) in your area of interest and/or she or he has indicated willingness to work with you on your doctorate degree program, please include her or his name in your letter.
The letter should be typed (double-spaced) on 8.5 by 11 inch paper. Letters of intent will be scored by a rubric that evaluates two areas:
Each category is ranked as Outstanding, Proficient, Marginal, or Deficient. An overall score of Proficient is required for acceptance to the Doctor of Philosophy degree program.
Guidelines for Academic Resume
Include the following in your resume:
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Personal Information: Name and Contact Information (Address, Phone numbers, email)
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Education: Institution, City, State, Dates Attended, Major, and Degree
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Work Experience: Dates, Job Title, Employer, City, State
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Professional experiences such as: Publications, Presentations and Grants; Continuing Education Activities, Awards/Honors Received; Community and Volunteer Activities; Professional Memberships; other pertinent information
General Requirements for Curriculum & Instruction PhD in Curriculum Studies
Minimum of 81 total credits required. Students may transfer up to 30 credits from a master’s degree program completed at an accredited institution.
Residency Information
PhD Program Requirements | College of Education
If you feel that you have met any degree requirements through a previously obtained master’s degree or coursework at another institution, contact your advisor to determine the correct procedure. Note that the Introduction to Doctoral Studies course requirement may not be waived.
Minimum of 79 total credits required in the following areas:
Core courses (minimum of 9 credits)
All PhD option areas require PRST 5610 (Intro to Doctoral Studies). In addition, doctoral students, with direction from their committees, will choose a minimum of two additional courses from the remaining five core courses:
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PRST 5900 (Practicum in College Teaching)
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EDCI 5600 (Diversity)
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EDCI 5810 (Writing for Publication)
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EDCI 5730 (Learning and Cognition)
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EDAD 5720 (Leader as Change Agent)
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EDRE 5660 (Dissertation/Thesis Prospectus Writing)
Cognate courses and advanced courses (minimum of 18 credits)
Advanced research courses (minimum of 12 credits)
Dissertation Hours
All PhD Students are required to have a minimum of 12 dissertation credit hours.
Other Requirements
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Preliminary exam (after coursework is completed): Guidelines determined by program, department, or committee
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Program Outcomes: Written demonstration is required to show PhD outcomes are met (determined by program, department, or committee)
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Dissertation (after preliminary exam): Guidelines determined by program, department, or committee
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Residency (check with program area for specific requirements)
Notes: These requirements for a PhD in Education are minimum requirements only. Refer to specific program options for additional requirements, including admissions criteria. Options approved prior to May 2009 may have different requirements.