Curriculum and Instruction, Doctor of Education

(63 Hours)

The Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction (EDCI) at Gardner-Webb University is a 63-credit-hour program for advanced candidates aspiring to leadership roles that promote high impact learning by empowering people within communities to nourish innovation through facilitated collaboration and continuous improvement. Candidates experience EDCI program course modules within a cohort model progressing through coursework as a team and building relationships crucial to the goals of collaboration and continuous improvement. All components of the program are aligned to the Teacher Leader Model Standards (TLMS) published by the Teacher Leadership Exploratory Consortium (2012). These standards are aligned to Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) standards and to the revised Interstate Teacher Assessment and Standards Consortium (InTASC) standards. The TLMS can be accessed at http://teacherleaderstandards.org/.

Program Goals

As a result of participating in the EDCI program, candidates will:

1. foster a collaborative culture to support educator development and student learning;

2. access and use research to improve practice and student learning;

3. promote professional learning for continuous improvement;

4. facilitate improvements in instruction and student learning;

5. promote the use of assessments and data for school and district improvement;

6. improve outreach and collaboration with families and community; and

7. advocate for student learning and the profession.

Student Learning Outcomes

EDCI candidates will:

1a. demonstrate effective leadership, collaboration, coaching, and mentoring skills with colleagues;

1b. lead efforts to promote an educational culture that focuses on learning for all students;

2a. lead efforts to share research-based best practices to foster improved practice and student learning;

2b. incorporate research on curriculum and adult learning in order to lead others effectively in improving student learning;

3a. lead efforts to promote an educational culture that develops reflective teacher-leaders who are data-informed agents of change;

3b. identify, summarize, and apply current research on characteristics of professional learning that lead to effective teaching practices, supportive leadership, and improved student results;

4a. identify, summarize, and apply current research on curriculum design, implementation, and assessment;

4b. mentor others on effective design and delivery of instruction;

5a. identify, summarize, and apply current research related to accessing and utilizing various forms of data to inform decision-making;

5b. lead efforts to promote an educational culture that utilizes multiple measures of formative and summative assessment to improve student learning;

5c. demonstrate leadership skills in development and implementation of action plans based on identified needs;

6a. identify, summarize, and apply current research related to family and community engagement;

6b. lead efforts to improve family and community engagement within a site or district;

7a. value an educational culture that recognizes the importance of collaborative decision-making that advocates for positive change; and

7b. advocate for improved student learning as well as for the education profession.

Admission Requirements

Program-specific admission requirements for acceptance into the Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction are the following.

1. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all post-baccalaureate work completed;
2. Minimum of three years of successful teaching experience;
3. Current teaching license or a letter indicating appropriate experience;
4. Three professional recommendations from persons, at least one of whom must be an administrator or at the central-office level, who know the applicant’s work as an educator or graduate student;
5. Satisfactory scores on the GRE or MAT;
6. Personal essay explaining the applicant’s purpose in wanting to earn a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction; and
7. Internship Supervision Form and Cohort Form.

Course Requirements for Candidates Beginning Prior to Fall 2019

EDCI 700	Theory Development Module	6
EDCI 701	Dissertation Coaching/Clinical Experience Seminar	1
EDCI 702	Issues and Models in Curriculum Module	6
EDCI 703	Dissertation Coaching/Clinical Experience Seminar	1
EDCI 704	Research Design and Methods	12
EDCI 705	Dissertation Coaching/Clinical Experience Seminar	1
EDCI 706	Reform and Change Theory Module	6
EDCI 707	Dissertation Chairing/Clinical Experience Seminar	1
EDCI 708	Assessment and Evaluation Module	6
EDCI 709	Dissertation Chairing/Clinical Experience Seminar	1
EDCI 710	Instructional Leadership Module	12
EDCI 711	Dissertation Chairing/Clinical Experience Seminar	1
EDCI 712	Dissertation Module I	6
EDCI 713	Dissertation Module II	3

As-needed Continuing Hours

In order to continue to receive University assistance and consultation throughout the dissertation process, the candidate will register for EDCI 714 each semester until the dissertation is successfully defended or until the candidate chooses to graduate with the EdS or withdraw from the program.

EDCI 714

Dissertation (Continuing)

1-3

Course Requirements for Candidates Beginning Fall 2019 or After

EDCI 730	Theory Development Module	6
EDCI 732	Issues and Models in Curriculum Module	6
EDCI 734	Reform and Change Theory Module	6
EDCI 736	Research Design and Methods	12
EDCI 738	Assessment and Evaluation Module	6
EDCI 740	Instructional Leadership Module	12
EDUC 731	Dissertation Coaching/Clinical Experience Seminar	1
EDUC 733	Dissertation Coaching/Clinical Experience Seminar	1
EDUC 735	Dissertation Chairing/Clinical Experience Seminar	1
EDUC 737	Dissertation Chairing/Clinical Experience Seminar	1
EDUC 739	Dissertation Chairing/Clinical Experience Seminar	1
EDUC 741	Dissertation Chairing/Clinical Experience Seminar	1
EDUC 742	Dissertation Module I	6
EDUC 743	Dissertation Module II	3

 

As-needed Continuing Hours

In order to continue to receive University assistance and consultation throughout the dissertation process, the candidate will register for EDUC 744 each semester until the dissertation is successfully defended or until the candidate chooses to graduate with the EdS or withdraw from the program.

EDUC 744

Dissertation (Continuing)

1-3

Course Requirements for Add-on School Administration Licensure for Candidates Who Have Completed EDCI 700-711 or 730-741 (12 hours)

Semester 1:(12 Hours)

MELS 601 Executive Leadership in a 21st Century Change Environment

MELS 603 Resource Management for 21st Century Executive Leaders

 

MELS 601	Executive Leadership in a 21st century Change Environment	6
MELS 603	Resource Management for 21st century Executive Leaders	6

At the dissertation stage, doctoral candidates must maintain continuous enrollment through the semester of their successful defense or until the candidate withdraws from the program. In rare and extenuating circumstances, a candidate may request a leave of absence which must be approved by the candidate’s dissertation chair, program coordinator, the Dean of the School of Education, and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. Candidates who are approved for a leave of absence may return to the program with the approval of the program coordinator, the Dean of the School of Education, and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. Candidates who break continuous enrollment without a leave of absence will be suspended from the program. If a suspended candidate requests readmission, the program graduate faculty makes the decision on whether to readmit and, if readmitted, the stipulations that will apply. A Dissertation Enrollment Fee equal to the tuition of the missed semesters of continuous enrollment will be applied to the suspended candidate’s account upon return to the program. Candidates approved for a leave of absence will not be subject to the Continuous Enrollment Fee. The time limit of seven calendar years to complete the program from the beginning of the term in which candidates complete their first graduate course toward the degree continues to apply to candidates who are granted a leave of absence or who are suspended.