Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Graduate Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Doctor of Philosophy - Curriculum & Instruction


Plan Description


This course of study is for professional educators who desire to extend and advance knowledge in the theory and practice of education as university researchers or leaders in an array of other education-related settings, both in the United States and abroad.  The completion of this degree will particularly enable individuals to become skilled researchers as members of university faculties.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will:

  1. Have an understanding of the theoretical and historical foundations of education.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and synthesis of major research in teaching and schooling.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge and research application in the area of emphasis: career & technical and post-secondary education (CTPE), cultural studies, international, and multicultural education (CSIEME), interaction and media sciences, literacy, mathematics education, and science education.
  4. Demonstrate college-level teaching experience.
  5. Understand and apply the major tenets of research design and analysis spanning quantitative and qualitative methods. Begin to disseminate findings in refereed journals.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to successfully design, defend, and complete an extended educational study resulting in a defensible dissertation.

Areas of research emphasis include:

Career & Technical and Postsecondary Education (CTPE)
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction with a Concentration in Career & Technical and Postsecondary Education (CTPE) is a research and professional leadership degree. It is designed to develop future leaders/educators who will make well-informed, theory-based, research supported, and data driven decisions related to planning, organizing, delivering and evaluating the many components and systems connecting education, work, and economic development. Program graduates typically seek research and teaching faculty positions in universities; administrative and policy positions in local, state and national education and other governmental agencies; instructional/curricular leadership positions within school districts; leadership and teaching positions in secondary, community and technical colleges, and training positions in a variety of adult education and training environments. Graduates will be prepared to assume leadership positions in Southern Nevada and throughout Nevada and the Nation.

Cultural Studies, International Education, and Multicultural Education (CSIEME)
Cultural Studies is a highly interdisciplinary field, drawing on philosophy, literature, the arts, sociology, psychology, political science, technology, and media. Cultural Studies connects those scholars interested in examining and challenging relationships of power, culture, and knowledge. International Education is an umbrella term encompassing comparative education, transnational education, and pan-global indigenous studies. Included in these studies are a series of large-scale, cross-national comparisons in student achievement, teaching practice, curriculum, and educational policy. Multicultural Education is an instructional and pedagogical paradigm that integrates the history, cultural traditions, social norms, life experiences, and learned contributions that members of non-dominant groups have made to all aspects of local and global society, especially those aspects that are typically codified in PK-12 and higher education courses of study in the United States.

Interaction and Media Sciences
The goal of our program is to enable students to become university faculty, researchers, instructional designers, and leaders in the growing field of educational technology. The focus of the program is on content, pedagogy, technology, and a wide range of associated issues. Students will develop expertise in critical analysis, deconstruction, and research on educational technology. The program will prepare students for a variety of professional careers related to teaching and learning in both academic and non-academic settings, such as K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, state and federal agencies, and private organizations.

Literacy Education
Doctoral students in Literacy Education will be engaged in exploring relationships among language, literacy, culture and social justice. They will develop expertise in critical analysis and methodological approaches for conducting research on literacy teaching and learning (e.g., curriculum design; assessment; policy; new literacies; issues related to gender, race, and class; and attention to comparative, international, and cross-cultural studies in education). Students will have opportunities for clinical and field-based work in conjunction with our teacher education program, the Gayle A. Zeiter Literacy Development Center, the Southern Nevada Writing Project, and other community organizations. Through an emphasis on the integration of theory, research and practice, students will demonstrate a well-grounded understanding of the literacy content, pedagogy, technology, and issues associated with teaching and learning in literacy education.

Mathematics Education
The purpose of the Ph.D. Program in Mathematics Education is to prepare individuals for research and teacher education careers in higher education and for leadership positions in educational settings. The program is designed to develop expertise in conceptualizing, conducting and reporting research in mathematics education and to improve student knowledge about the field of mathematics education. Students choosing this area of study will find themselves challenged with the latest ideas and theories in the field. The program is consistent with other top graduate programs and is aligned with UNLV’s goals to advance the research functions of UNLV while maintaining high quality teaching.

Science Education
Doctoral students electing this Ph.D./Ed.D. area of study will be engaged in developing expertise in critical analysis, deconstruction, and research on teaching and learning science including, but not limited to: curriculum design, assessment, scientific literacy, policy, media, popular culture, issues related to race, gender, class, and attention to comparative, international, and cross-cultural studies in education. In essence, the development and offering of this Ph.D./Ed.D. emphasis is consistent with offerings at other top graduate schools of education. Indeed, this goal is consistent with UNLV planning documents designed to advance the research functions of UNLV while maintaining high quality teaching.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements


Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

Specific admission criteria for the PhD in Curriculum and Instruction include:

  1. All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements. 
  2. Hold a master’s degree from an accredited program in an area closely related to the chosen field of specialization. Normally, 18 semester hours in education are required.
  3. Have a grade point average of 3.0 of higher in all graduate level coursework. *Please note that one third of the total program hours may be transferred from another accredited doctoral program.
  4. Have completed a minimum of 2 years of successful professional educational experience upon entrance to the program.
  5. Obtain three letters of recommendation from individuals who can specifically address the applicant’s potential for success in the doctoral program. These letters of recommendation will be requested and submitted through the Graduate College online application system. One of the letters must be from a university faculty member addressing your past academic success and future potential in a doctoral program.
  6. Submit one set of official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities as requested in the Graduate College online application. You may upload unofficial transcripts via the online application as a supplement if you have the documents in a digital computer file (e.g., PDF). Unofficial transcripts do NOT substitute for the official documents.
  7. Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the General Exam. The scores should be sent directly to the Doctoral Studies Office in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Applicants are encouraged to provide self-reported scores for the GRE in the Standardized Tests section of the Graduate College online application.
  8. Submit a Personal Statement via the Graduate College online application that addresses in detail:
    1. Emphasis area of study
    2. Reasons for pursuing a doctorate in education
    3. Expectations concerning the doctoral program
    4. Potential areas of study
    5. The name of a faculty member in the department with whom you would like to work [optional]
  9. Submit a written statement regarding when the residency requirement will be met (see the Doctoral Handbook. This statement should be uploaded via the Graduate College online application in the Supplementary Information section as an “Other Required Document.”
  10. Demonstrate oral communication skills through an interview conducted by members of the C&I graduate faculty. Out-of-state applicants must contact the Coordinator of Doctoral Studies directly to make alternate arrangements to the on-campus interview.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Subplan 1 Requirements: Career & Technical and Postsecondary Education Track


Total Credits Required: 60

Course Requirements 

T&L Required Courses – Credits: 6

CIG 761 - Theoretical Foundations of Education  

CIG 790 - Doctoral Research Seminar  

Research Required Courses – Credits: 12

EPY 718 - Qualitative Research Methodologies  

EPY 721 - Descriptive and Inferential Statistics: An Introduction  

Complete two additional advisor approved research courses (6 credits)

CIG 690 - Teachers as Action Researchers  

EPY 716 - Evaluation Research Methods  

EPY 719 - Advanced Qualitative Research  

EPY 720 - Research Design in Education

EPY 722 - Inferential Statistics and Experimental Design  

EPY 726 - Advanced Evaluation Research Methods  

EPY 729 - Qualitative Case Study Research  

EPY 730 - Advanced Research Methods  

EPY 731 - Mixed Methods Research  

EPY 733 - Multivariate Statistics  

EPY 738 - Discourse Analysis  

Individual Specialization Required Courses – Credits: 15

Select six of the following:

EDW 719 - Leadership in Workforce Education and Development  

EDW 745 - Theories of Adult Learning  

EDW 746 - History and Development of Two Year Postsecondary Institution  

EDW 747 - Workforce Education Teaching  

EDW 749R - Evaluation of Workforce Education Programs  

EDW 763 - Readings in Postsecondary Education, Workplace Learning and Performance, and Workforce Education Leadership  

EDW 768 - Grantsmanship in Education  

Individual Specialization Elective  Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits of advisor-approved courses outside the CTPE program (e.g., Technology, learning and cognition, cultural studies, etc.) should be selected to broaden the student’s knowledge and research procedures.

Applied Research and/or Instructional Practice – Credits: 6

Complete six credits of a combination of a research internship and/or a college teaching internship.

EDW 735 - Practicum in Workforce Education  

CIG 791 - Internship in Curriculum and Instruction  

Dissertation – Credits: 12

CIG 799 - Dissertation  

Degree Requirements 

  1. Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond the master’s degree.
  2. All coursework must be approved by the doctoral student’s advisor.
  3. Maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher for all course work taken at the doctoral level;
  4. Complete the residency requirement for the degree through one of the three options available as described in the current Doctoral Studies Guide on the department Web site.
  5. Attend the Teaching and Learning Department Doctoral Colloquium held periodically throughout their years of study.
  6. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a dissertation committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
  7. Pass a written qualifying examination prior to commencing work on the dissertation proposal or dissertation (See the Doctoral Handbook for more detailed information on this process). Students may begin developing their qualifying examination questions and commence their qualifying exam upon completion of minimum program requirements and advisor approval.
  8. Submit a manuscript for a peer-reviewed publication.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 2 Requirements: Cultural Studies, International Education, and Multicultural Education Track


Total Credits Required: 60

Course Requirements

T & L Required Courses – Credits: 6

CIG 761 - Theoretical Foundations of Education    

CIG 790 - Doctoral Research Seminar    

Research Required Courses – Credits: 12

EPY 718 - Qualitative Research Methodologies  

EPY 721 - Descriptive and Inferential Statistics: An Introduction  

Complete two additional advisor approved research courses.

CIG 690 - Teachers as Action Researchers  

EPY 719 - Advanced Qualitative Research  

EPY 720 - Research Design in Education

EPY 729 - Qualitative Case Study Research  

EPY 730 - Advanced Research Methods  

EPY 738 - Discourse Analysis  

EDW 768 - Grantsmanship in Education   

Individual Specialization Required Courses – Credits: 9

CIG 662 - Theory and Research Multicultural Education  

CIG 771 - Comparative Studies in Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum  

CIG 772 - Introduction to Cultural Studies in Education  

Applied Research and Practice – Credits: 6

CIG 791 - Internship in Curriculum and Instruction  

Individual Specialization Elective Courses – Credits: 15

 Complete 15 credits of advisor-approved courses including those from the list below: 

CIG 660 - Multicultural Education  

CIG 661 - Topics Multicultural Education  

CIG 773 - Critical Literacies/Critical Pedagogies  

Dissertation – Credits: 12

CIG 799 - Dissertation  

Degree Requirements  

  1. Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond the master’s degree.
  2. All coursework must be approved by the doctoral student’s advisor.
  3. Maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher for all course work taken at the doctoral level.
  4. Complete the residency requirement for the degree through one of the three options available as described in the current Doctoral Studies Guide on the department Web site.
  5. Attend the Teaching and Learning Department Doctoral Colloquium held periodically throughout their years of study.
  6. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a dissertation committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
  7. Pass a written qualifying examination prior to commencing work on the dissertation proposal or dissertation (See the Doctoral Handbook for more detailed information on this process). 
  8. Submit a manuscript for a peer-reviewed publication.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 3 Requirements: Interaction and Media Sciences Track


Total Credits Required: 60

Course Requirements 

T& L Required Courses – Credits: 6

CIG 761 - Theoretical Foundations of Education  

CIG 790 - Doctoral Research Seminar  

Research Required Courses – Credits: 12

EPY 718 - Qualitative Research Methodologies  

EPY 721 - Descriptive and Inferential Statistics: An Introduction  

Complete two additional advisor approved research courses.

EPY 716 - Evaluation Research Methods  

EPY 719 - Advanced Qualitative Research  

EPY 720 - Research Design in Education

EPY 722 - Inferential Statistics and Experimental Design  

EPY 726 - Advanced Evaluation Research Methods  

EPY 730 - Advanced Research Methods  

EPY 733 - Multivariate Statistics  

EPY 738 - Discourse Analysis  

Individual Specialization Required Courses – Credits: 9

CIT 770 - Foundations in Technology & Learning  

CIT 780 - Educational Technology Research and Practice  

Individual Specialization Elective Courses– Credits: 21

Complete 21 hours of advisor-approved courses within and/or outside the department.

Dissertation – Credits: 12

CIG 799 - Dissertation  

Degree Requirements 

  1. Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond the master’s degree.
  2. Maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher for all course work taken at the doctoral level.
  3. Complete the residency requirement for the degree through one of the three options available as described in the current Doctoral Studies Guide on the department Web site.
  4. Attend the Teaching and Learning Department Doctoral Colloquium held periodically throughout their years of study.
  5. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a dissertation committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
  6. Pass a written qualifying examination prior to commencing work on the dissertation proposal or dissertation (See the Doctoral Handbook for more detailed information on this process). 
  7. Submit a manuscript for a peer-reviewed publication.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 4 Requirements: Literacy Education Track


Total Credits Required: 60

Course Requirements 

T&L Required Courses – Credits: 6

CIG 761 - Theoretical Foundations of Education  

CIG 790 - Doctoral Research Seminar  

Research Required Courses – Credits: 12

EPY 718 - Qualitative Research Methodologies  

EPY 721 - Descriptive and Inferential Statistics: An Introduction  

Complete two additional advisor approved research courses.

EPY 719 - Advanced Qualitative Research  

EPY 720 - Research Design in Education

EPY 729 - Qualitative Case Study Research  

EPY 730 - Advanced Research Methods  

EPY 738 - Discourse Analysis  

EDW 768 - Grantsmanship in Education  

EPY 722 - Inferential Statistics and Experimental Design  

EPY 726 - Advanced Evaluation Research Methods  

EPY 730 - Advanced Research Methods  

EPY 733 - Multivariate Statistics  

Individual Specialization Required Courses – Credits: 9

CIL 772 - Cognitive Foundations of Literacy  

CIL 774 - Historical Foundations of Literacy Research and Instruction  

CIL 776 - Social and Political Issues in Literacy  

Individual Specialization Elective Courses – Credits: 21

Complete 21 credits of advisor-approved courses within and/or outside the department to support applied research, practice, theory, and content that aligns with individual scholarly goals.

Dissertation – Credits: 12

CIG 799 - Dissertation  

Degree Requirements  

  1. Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond the master’s degree.
  2. Maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher for all course work taken at the doctoral level.
  3. Complete the residency requirement for the degree through one of the three options available as described in the current Doctoral Studies Guide on the department Web site.
  4. Attend the Teaching and Learning Department Doctoral Colloquium held periodically throughout their years of study.
  5. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a dissertation committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
  6. Pass a written qualifying examination prior to commencing work on the dissertation proposal or dissertation (See the Doctoral Handbook for more detailed information on this process). Students may begin developing their qualifying examination questions and commence their qualifying exam upon completion of minimum program requirements and advisor approval.
  7. Submit a manuscript for a peer-reviewed publication.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 5 Requirements: Mathematics Education Track


Total Credits Required: 60

Course Requirements 

T&L Required Courses – Credits: 6

 CIG 761 - Theoretical Foundations of Education  

 CIG 790 - Doctoral Research Seminar  

Research Required Courses – Credits: 12

EPY 718 - Qualitative Research Methodologies  

EPY 721 - Descriptive and Inferential Statistics: An Introduction  

Complete two additional advisor approved research courses.

EPY 716 - Evaluation Research Methods  

EPY 719 - Advanced Qualitative Research  

EPY 722 - Inferential Statistics and Experimental Design  

EPY 726 - Advanced Evaluation Research Methods  

EPY 730 - Advanced Research Methods  

EPY 733 - Multivariate Statistics  

Individual Specialization Required Courses – Credits: 9

CIG 783 - Theory and Research in School Mathematics  

CIG 787 - Individual Instruction in Mathematics Education  

CIG 720 - Principles of Mathematics Learning

Applied Research and Practice/Internship – Credits: 6

CIG 791 - Internship in Curriculum and Instruction   

Individual Specialization Elective Courses – Credits: 15

Complete 15 credits of advisor-approved emphasis-area courses within and/or outside the department.

Dissertation – Credits: 12

CIG 799 - Dissertation  

Degree Requirements  

  1. Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond the master’s degree.
  2. Maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher for all course work taken at the doctoral level.
  3. Complete the residency requirement for the degree through one of the three options available as described in the current Doctoral Studies Guide on the department Web site.
  4. Attend the Teaching and Learning Department Doctoral Colloquium held periodically throughout their years of study.
  5. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a dissertation committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
  6. Pass a written qualifying examination prior to commencing work on the dissertation proposal or dissertation (See the Doctoral Handbook for more detailed information on this process). 
  7. Submit a manuscript for a peer-reviewed publication.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 6 Requirements: Science Education Track


Total Credits Required: 60

Course Requirements 

T&L Required Courses – Credits: 6

CIG 761 - Theoretical Foundations of Education  

CIG 790 - Doctoral Research Seminar   

Research Required Courses – Credits: 12

EPY 718 - Qualitative Research Methodologies  

EPY 721 - Descriptive and Inferential Statistics: An Introduction  

Complete two additional advisor approved research courses.

EPY 716 - Evaluation Research Methods  

EPY 719 - Advanced Qualitative Research  

EPY 722 - Inferential Statistics and Experimental Design  

EPY 726 - Advanced Evaluation Research Methods  

EPY 730 - Advanced Research Methods  

EPY 733 - Multivariate Statistics  

EDW 768 - Grantsmanship in Education  

Individual Specialization Required Courses – Credits: 9

CIG 777 - Principles of Learning Science  

CIG 784 - Theory and Research in School Science  

Complete one additional advisor approved course.

CIG 775 - Theoretical Frameworks for Science Education  

CIG 776 - Philosophical Foundations of Science Education  

Applied Research and Practice – Credits: 6

CIG 788 - Individual Instruction in Science Education  

Individual Specialization Elective Courses – Credits: 15

Complete 15 credits of advisor-approved emphasis-area courses within and/or outside the department. Courses will be selected to broaden the student’s knowledge in areas related to student’s area of emphasis (e.g. science content courses with a BIO, CHE, PHY, ENV, GEO, GEY, ENG, AST, or SCI prefix, technology, learning and cognition, and cultural studies)

Dissertation – Credits: 12

CIG 799 - Dissertation  

Degree Requirements 

  1. Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond the master’s degree.
  2. Maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher for all course work taken at the doctoral level.
  3. Complete the residency requirement for the degree through one of the three options available as described in the current Doctoral Studies Guide on the department Web site.
  4. Attend the Teaching and Learning Department Doctoral Colloquium held periodically throughout their years of study.
  5. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a dissertation committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
  6. Pass a written qualifying examination prior to commencing work on the dissertation proposal or dissertation (See the Doctoral Handbook for more detailed information on this process). 
  7. Submit a manuscript for a peer-reviewed publication.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Plan Graduation Requirements


  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her dissertation by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
  3. The student must submit his/her approved, properly formatted hard-copy dissertation to the Graduate College, and submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline.
  4. The student must also file a copy of the dissertation with the Teaching and Learning Department.