College of Education Health and Human Services
School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies
www.kent.edu/ehhs/tlcs

About This Program

Become a leader in Curriculum and Instruction with Kent State's Ph.D. program. Conduct original research and develop expertise in curriculum theory to shape the future of education. Read more...

Contact Information

• Francisco Torres (Curriculum and Instruction) | ftorres2@kent.edu | 330-672-0634
• Jiahui Wang (Educational Technology concentration) | jwang79@kent.edu |
  330-672-0664

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale (minimum 3.500 graduate GPA is recommended) starting with spring 2026 admission term, minimum 3.000 graduate GPA will be required
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Application essay
• Two letters of recommendation
• Interview
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application Deadline: July 15
• Spring Semester
  • Application Deadline: November 15
• Summer Term
  • Application Deadline: April 15 (domestic students only)

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students may complete another specialized research methods course with approval.

²

Upon admission to candidacy, each doctoral candidate must register for CI 80199. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I for a total of 30 credit hours, and thereafter CI 80299, each semester until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Adapted/Physical Education Concentration Requirements

Curriculum and Teaching Studies Concentration Requirements

Educational Technology Concentration Requirements

Early Childhood Education Concentration Requirements

Literacy Concentration Requirements

Mathematics Education Concentration Requirements

Science Education Concentration Requirements

Social Studies Education Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Students may be required to take an introductory course on fundamentals of curriculum and other additional coursework, as well as research activities that support their scholarly interests in the context of doctoral socialization.

Comprehensive Examination Requirements

The course phase of study culminates with a written and oral comprehensive examination that is created and evaluated by each doctoral student’s prospectus committee. Students choose one of the following options for the written component:

• Eight-hour in-class written examination
• Take-home written examination
• Written examination and portfolio (this option must be selected when submitting the plan of study)

Once doctoral students have passed the comprehensive examination, they organize a dissertation committee, which supervises their dissertation research project.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Practice research-based leadership.
2. Function as responsible, informed researchers in a specific curriculum and instruction area of study and professional practice.
3. Establish a disciplined life of inquiry.
4. Conduct research informed by multicultural education literature.

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Curriculum and Instruction prepares scholars for successful careers in college and university settings and produces curriculum leaders for schools and other educational institutions. The program is relevant for qualified students interested in issues related to educational research with a curriculum and instruction focus. Upon completion of the program, students will have gained insight into what it means to transition from doctoral student to disciplined scholar.

The major comprises the following concentrations:

• Adapted/Physical Education
• Curriculum and Teaching Studies
• Educational Technology
• Early Childhood Education
• Literacy
• Mathematics Education
• Science Education
• Social Studies Education