If you are an EC-12 teacher who is looking for a path of advancement in your career, consider earning a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. It may be that your professional experience has already demonstrated to you the need for more education in this area of expertise. The terminal degree in C&I may prepare you to work more effectively as a teacher, or you may decide to move into other teaching venues, such as performing education research or training. The degree can also lead to work in academia, government, and business, even as a teacher at the university level. With a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, you will be prepared for whatever curriculum and instruction leadership roles arise in your school or district.
The program of study for this degree consists of a wealth of choices in classes in statistics, research methods, and policy, which will make you a valuable employee in businesses or government agencies. In addition, your degree will be in high demand in the education departments of large corporations where curriculum designers and trainers are often in-house.
Other job titles include the following: director of HR training; researcher; director of curriculum and instruction; director of professional development; corporate trainer; instructional designer; director of educational technology; and director of assessment.
You are no doubt already aware of the increased earnings that come with a terminal degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median usual weekly earnings with a doctoral degree is $1825 (2018). Median for all workers is $932, and for those with a master’s degree is $1434.
The schools we have compiled in this review have been researched and ranked according to the categories in the charts shown below. CAEP is the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation. All figures come from the schools or from Niche.com. Where a tie occurs, extra weight is given for lower tuition.
Rating and Ranking Methodology
Hourly Tuition
- Hourly Out of State Rate $400 and Below: 5 points
- Hourly Out of State Rate $600 and Below: 4 points
- Hourly Out of State Rate $800 and Below: 3 points
- Hourly Out of State Rate $1,000 and Below: 2 points
- Hourly Out of State Rate above $1,001: 1 point
Total Cost of Tuition
- $20,000 or below: 5 points
- $30,000 or below: 4 points
- $50,000 or below: 3 points
- $60,000 or below: 2 points
- $60,001 and above: 1 point
Regional Accreditation – 5 points
CAEP Accreditation – 5 points
#1 – University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Online EdD in Educational Leadership
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Total Cost of Tuition: $18,102
Hourly Tuition Rate: $430.69
Points: 19
Website
The online doctor of education in educational leadership that is designed by the University of Arkansas is a 42 credit hour affair that requires a GRE score for admission purposes. One on-campus seminar per semester is required for each of the three years. The final on-campus meeting of this cohort-style program is for dissertation defense and otherwise implementing the knowledge you have gained in the course of your studies. The program has one start date per year, in the summer.
#2 – Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas
Ph.D. in C&I – concentration in CSTE Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Total Cost of Tuition: $29,925
Hourly Tuition Rate: $474.50
Points: 18
Website
Texas Tech University’s 63 credit hour, online Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, with a concentration in curriculum studies and teacher education degree is for people who want to understand current issues faced by curriculum and teacher education specialists. Application requires that you contact program advisors for specific procedures. Some of the requirements are three professional recommendations, applicant statement, and writing sample. Texas Tech University’s online Ph.D. in C&I – concentration in CSTE follows the same schedule as on-campus classes and begins only in the fall.
#3 – University of Louisiana – Monroe
Monroe, Louisiana
Online EdD in Curriculum and Instruction
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Total Cost of Tuition: $30,000
Hourly Tuition Rate: $500
Points: 18
Website
Open to anyone holding a master’s degree in any field, the doctor of education in curriculum and instruction online at the University of Louisiana Monroe has multiple start dates per year to increase the flexibility of the course offerings. This 60 credit hour program features reasonable tuition and 100% online coursework. Applicants to the University of Louisiana Monroe’s online EdD in curriculum and instruction should have a graduate GPA of at least 3.25 and be able to provide a recent GRE or MAT score.
#4 – University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Online EdD in Curriculum and Instruction (Curriculum Studies)
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Total Cost of Tuition: $27,456
Hourly Tuition Rate: $572.25
Points: 18
With no GRE or MAT required for the admissions process, the University of South Carolina’s online doctor of education in curriculum and instruction (curriculum studies) offers a discounted tuition rate to certified teachers in the Palmetto State. The 48-hour degree includes 12 hours of dissertation preparation and defense. The application system for the online EdD in curriculum and instruction (curriculum studies) at the University of South Carolina calls for the following: two letters of recommendation; a current CV or resume; a personal statement detailing why this program is a good next step for your career; and official transcripts.
#5 – Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana
Ph.D. in Instructional Systems Technology Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Total Cost of Tuition: $31,200
Hourly Tuition Rate: $520.32
Points: 17
Website
To gain acceptance into Indiana University’s online doctor of education in instructional systems technology program, you will need to have a minimum overall GPA of 2.7, a completed master’s degree, as well as test scores, transcripts, two reference letters, and a thoughtful statement on why you seek to study in the school’s distance-learning program. Indiana University recommends a number of professional positions, including distance learning director, corporate trainer, or e-learning developer that will be open to holders of their online EdD in instructional technology degree.
#6 – University of Memphis Global Campus
Memphis, Tennessee
Online Ph.D. of Instructional Curriculum Leadership
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Total Cost of Tuition: $34,938
Hourly Tuition Rate: $647
Points: 17
Website
University of Memphis Global Campus has an online Ph.D. of instructional curriculum and leadership degree that requires applicants to commit to a cohort experience. A course rotation schedule is available before classes begin so that you can do needed planning well in advance. No courses that counted toward a previous master’s degree may be counted toward a doctoral degree. You will be eligible to take comprehensive exams for your 54 credit hour, online Ph.D. of instructional curriculum and leadership degree from the University of Memphis Global Campus after completion of all course requirements or upon enrollment in the final course.
#7 – Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
Ph.D. in C&I Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Total Cost of Tuition: $53,956
Hourly Tuition Rate: $574.20
Points: 16
Kansas State University features a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction online degree that is a 94 credit hour program. With the permission of the supervisory committee, up to 30 hours of master’s degree hours may be used to fulfill the degree requirements. Credit hours are allotted to multiple course and discipline areas, among which are the major emphasis area (48), courses in major and minor areas, research courses, and doctoral research. Application to Kansas State University’s Ph.D. in C&I online degree calls for a $65 fee and multiple documents that relate to experience and motivation.
#8 – Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas
Online EdD in Instructional Systems Design and Technology
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Total Cost of Tuition: $36,240
Hourly Tuition Rate: $603.75
Points: 16
Website
Sam Houston State University’s online doctor of education in instructional systems design and technology is a 60 master hour affair that is looking for applicants who can achieve an acceptable score on three sections of the GRE, submit a professional writing sample, and have a minimum of three years practical experience in instructional design and technology. Three letters of recommendation are also required. The EdD in instructional systems design and technology at Sam Houston State University has one enrollment date per year (in the fall) and involves an oral and written comprehensive exam, as well as a dissertation.
#9 – University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
EdD in Curriculum and Teaching Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Total Cost of Tuition: $37,860
Hourly Tuition Rate: $631.03
Points: 16
Website
The online, 60 credit hour doctor of education in curriculum and teaching degree offered by the University of Florida operates on a cohort model with multiple on-campus experiences in Gainesville, Florida. The first three summers of the program feature a week-long, on-campus intensive and then attendance on campus is required for a single day, each, for the comprehensive exam and the dissertation defense. Three years of practical teaching experience and a graduate degree linked with your career are additional requirements for admission to the EdD in curriculum and teaching from the University of Florida.
#10 – Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, Georgia
Online EdD in Educational Technology
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: No
Total Cost of Tuition: $25,728
Hourly Tuition Rate: $383
Points: 14
Kennesaw State University’s online doctor of education in educational technology draws attention to the fact that if you are a Georgia educator you can go the certification track towards being a technology coach, or you can take the advanced track to leadership if you already have been certified. You will need a highly professional resume as well as an administrative evaluation from your school.
Kennesaw State University suggests graduates will be prepared for professional leadership positions such as chief information officer or chief technology officer. Program outcomes include acquiring and developing the following skills: comprehension of the role of technology; and management of technology and support resources.
#11 – University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, Illinois
Online LDL New Learning
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: No
Total Cost of Tuition: $30,848
Hourly Tuition Rate: $482
Points: 12
Website
University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign Ph.D. in learning, design, and leadership is a 64 credit hour degree program with well-defined areas of study. Among the required courses are new learning and assessment for learning. Four courses must be taken from outside the LDL program area, including two research methods courses, with choices such as methods of educational inquiry, ethnographic methods in education, program evaluation, and educational statistics. The two dissertation courses are thesis seminar and seminar research. In addition, the University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign’s Ph.D. in LDL calls for three independent courses to be taken in conjunction with the qualifying examinations.
#12 – University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Ed.D. in C&I Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Total Cost of Tuition: $81,720
Hourly Tuition Rate: $1,135
Points: 12
Website
University of Virginia’s online Ed.D. in C&I degree prepares you in several ways to meet the challenges of 21st-century education: for leadership in your institution; for understanding the real-world difficulties of teaching; and for enhanced skill in developing solutions to educational problems. The 72 credit hour program blends core coursework with research courses and work in an area of your choosing. Application to the online Ed.D. in C&I degree at the University of Virginia requires GRE scores. If your scores are low, you may retake the test, and your highest scores will be used for the admission process.
#13 – Mercer University
Macon, Georgia
Online Ph.D. in C&I
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: No
Total Cost of Tuition: $46,557
Hourly Tuition Rate: $739
Points: 11
Website
The online doctorate program in curriculum and instruction from Mercer University is administered in a blended format. Students will attend classes in person at the Atlanta campus for three Saturdays each semester. The rest of the curriculum will be delivered in virtual format, both synchronously and asynchronously through WebEx, over 11 semesters in 16-week sequential courses. The 63 credit hours are arranged into core classes (27 hours), Ph.D. research block (15 hours), electives (9 hours), and dissertation block (12 hours). For a personalized admission counseling appointment to Mercer University’s online Ph.D. in C&I program, contact Admissions.
#14 – Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts
EdD with a Concentration in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: No
Total Cost of Tuition: $43,962
Hourly Tuition Rate: $862
Points: 10
Website
The online doctor of education with a concentration in curriculum, teaching, learning, and leadership that Northeastern University offers can be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis. Typical time to completion is 3-4 years. This concentration is offered with K-12 and higher ed administrators in mind. A commitment to social justice is a core tenet of this program when pursuing the educational goals of individual students. There is a brief residential component to this degree which can be satisfied either in Boston, MA, or in Seattle, WA.
#15 – Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
Online EdD in Curriculum and Instruction
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CAEP Accreditation: No
Total Cost of Tuition: $94,400
Hourly Tuition Rate: $1,475.15
Points: 7
Website
Utilizing the cohort model, where students begin as a group and pass through the same sequence of classwork together, Texas A&M University’s online EdD in curriculum and instruction is intended for those with an awarded master’s degree, five years of classroom experience and can be completed in a minimum of four years. The 64 credit program also entails 300 hours of professional internship over the course of two full-length school terms. The GRE is required for all applicants to the doctor of education in curriculum and instruction at Texas A&M University.
