Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: Program Requirements

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction is awarded for completion of scholarly inquiry, study, and research that advances the knowledge base in the chosen field of study within the larger context of urban education. All students will demonstrate their competence in the field by writing and successfully defending a PhD dissertation. In addition, recipients of the degree must demonstrate a mastery of relevant subject matter and a potential for success in future research and teaching. The program requires a minimum of 60 hours of approved coursework.

Study is available in one of the following areas, each of which is examined through the lens of an urban educator: Elementary Education; Literacy, including English, Reading, and English as a Second Language; Mathematics; or Urban Education.

Admissions information, program requirements, and more available here:

Grades Required

A student must maintain a cumulative average of 3.0 in all coursework taken. An accumulation of two C grades will result in termination of the student’s enrollment in the program. If a student makes one grade of Unsatisfactory in any course, then enrollment in the program will be immediately terminated.

Transfer Credit Accepted

The program will accept six transfer hours from an accredited institution, providing the appropriate Curriculum and Instruction faculty determine that the course or courses to be transferred are appropriate for the program of study and are graduate-level courses beyond the master’s degree. (See the strand coordinator about this course-by-course review.) Courses accepted for transfer are subject to the same time limitation as courses taken in residence. Finally, the grades in these transfer courses must be an A or B. The remaining 54 hours, including all dissertation work, must be completed at UNC Charlotte.

Time Limitation

Students will be admitted each fall with the understanding that most students will be part time and will usually take six hours per term. (NOTE: Students will take some courses together as a cohort, including those taken the first semester.) The program requires a minimum of 60 semester hours. Students will have a total of eight years to complete the program, including dissertation, beginning from the date of the first course, including transfer credits. With the approval of the student’s strand coordinator and the doctoral program coordinator, six hours of transfer credit for post-Master’s coursework earned at an accredited university within the previous five years will be accepted.

After acceptance into the program, students will begin work in both the urban core and the area of specialization; for example, it is recommended that a student take one specialization course in each of the first two semesters. Guidance concerning course selections will be provided by the program and strand coordinators upon the student’s acceptance to the program.

Note, as well, that summer courses will be available based on demand and funding. Though the university will target three or more summer courses each year, variations may not always be available. (For example, the same courses might be taught every summer, with minimal rotation.) Strand coordinators will talk with students during fall semester to determine summer course needs and will work to accommodate those needs whenever possible.

Student Dispositions and Faculty Expectations

Doctoral students are expected to actively and enthusiastically engage in a variety of opportunities that will both contribute to their program and prepare them for their desired careers after graduation. For example, students should be able to:

  • Read and reflect on complicated texts
  • Prepare for class thoroughly in order to participate in intellectual discussions with deep analysis and synthesis
  • Submit reflective and purposeful assignments with appropriate formatting by the established due date
  • Develop an organized compilation of foundational readings throughout all courses using a systematic process of tracking and note taking
  • Plan for and embrace the depth of knowledge and skills required to produce a research study that has the potential for making a significant contribution to the field
  • Present at local, state, and/or national conferences
  • Write for publication
  • Show the potential for service to the field
  • Exhibit professional ethics and outstanding conduct in all situations

Contact the Office of Middle, Secondary, K-12 Education
Phone: 704-687-8875 or 704-687-8878
Fax: 704-687-1630