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Ph.D. - Curriculum and Learning Design

Note: The CLD program is on hiatus for the Fall 2023 admissions cycle.

Do you want to help prepare schools and students to better meet the needs of the 21st century? The Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership with a concentration in Curriculum and Learning Design prepares graduates who understand innovative curriculum, instruction and assessment for K-12 education and have the leadership skills to successfully implement them. The program prepares educational leaders and researchers with specialized, contextualized knowledge of educational design that sits at the nexus of curriculum, teaching, learning, assessment, and educational technologies (digital and nondigital).  Its focus is the interdependence and ever-changing nature of these interwoven aspects of design for PreK-12 schools, learning environments, and organizations.

Students learn to design, develop, implement and evaluate robust and innovative curricula, programs, and learning designs that are keyed to students’ differentiated learning interests and needs. They are prepared to work as faculty members or educational leaders and administrators in school divisions or at state or national levels.

Course of Study

Doctoral students in the Curriculum & Learning Design program complete a 69-semester hour program. They explore a wide variety of K-12 curriculum, design, instruction, and assessment research, theory and applications, including those facilitated by savvy use of educational technologies.

Prior to starting their dissertations, students take classes in four areas: 

  • Educational leadership
  • Research design and methods
  • Curriculum and learning design
  • Individualized specialization (cognate designed in conjunction with academic advisor) 

See the Ph.D. EPPL - Curriculum Learning and Design Program of Studies for more details. 

Note: The CLD program is on hiatus for the 2022-23 admissions cycle.

Curriculum and Learning Design Program Contact

[[crgare,Chris Gareis]]
Professor of Education
(757) 221-2319

Download Program Fast Facts (PDF)