2014-2015

Curriculum and Instruction, Doctor of Education

Department of Teaching and Learning

College of Education

This dissertation-based degree is designed for those who seek advanced preparation in teaching and curriculum with the goal of participating professionally in a variety of venues, including public and private schools, community colleges, government, and other agencies.

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2018

  • To receive a Doctor of Education Degree (EdD) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses, from one or more disciplines, ranging from at least 63 - 90 units of graduate-level courses. Most plans require research, a dissertation, and comprehensive exams. All plans have residency requirements regarding time spent on the Flagstaff campus engaged in full-time study.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 90
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Dissertation Dissertation is required.
Oral Defense Oral Defense is required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
Research Individualized research is required.
Some online/blended coursework Required

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

    • GRE® revised General Test or Miller Analogies Exam
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • A writing sample
    • A personal statement or essay
Doctoral Requirements
  • Take the following 90 units:

    • ECI 710, ECI 730, ECI 740 (9 units)
    • Select one course from: EDF 703, EDF 711, EPS 712 (3 units)
    • EDF 672 (3 units)
    • ECI 675, EDR 610, EDR 611, EPS 525 (12 units)
    • One Educational Foundations course numbered 500 or above (3 units)
    • ECI 761, ECI 796, EPS 720 (9 units)
    • Select one course from: EDR 720, EDR 725, EDR 730 (3 units)
    • EPS 625 or EPS 725 (3 units)
    • Planned Focus covering current thought in an area of applied curriculum and instruction. This must include courses in foundational/theoretical/philosophical perspectives, research methodology, and new developments. (18 units)
    • Select one course from: ECI 649, ECI 666, ECI 696, ECI 771. We recommend that this course be outside your focus area. (3 units)
    • ECI 798 (3 units)
    • Additional graduate coursework (12 units)
    • ECI 799, for the research, writing, and oral defense of an approved dissertation. You may end up taking more than the required units you can count toward your degree because you must register for it each semester while you are working on your dissertation. (9 units)
    For more information about residency and other requirements that pertain to this degree, see Doctoral Requirements Policy.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.