Mar 28, 2024  
2012-2013 Graduate Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction


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Specialization in Literacy Education


This is a professional degree intended to prepare superior teachers, administrators, service personnel, and scholars of education. In addition to other functions, the program prepares individuals for teaching at the college level. Preparation for research responsibilities both as producer and as consumer is an integral part of each program. The specialization in literacy education focuses on preparing students to be knowledgeable practitioners, scholars, and leaders in the field of literacy. Students study literacy research, theory, and practice. A commitment to scholarship and research, as well as practice, is required of students so as to improve the status of literacy for all learners.

Applicants for the Ed.D. program are expected to have a broad base of general education in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences and are required to present evidence of a minimum of three years of acceptable professional experience and/or demonstrated field leadership.
 

Admission


Decisions about admission to the Ed.D. program in the department are made once each academic term. To be assured of consideration, completed applications containing all required data (application forms, official transcripts, GRE or MAT scores, and letters of recommendation) must be received by the Graduate School no later than March 1 for admission for the fall term, November 1 for admission for the spring term, and March 1 for admission for the summer session.

An applicant for admission is generally expected to

  • have a minimum GPA of 3.20 in previous graduate work.
  • submit scores on the General Test of the GRE or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
  • provide three letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or supervisors which provide supportive evidence of an applicant’s professional qualifications.
  • demonstrate satisfactory academic and professional progress as indicated by data included in the application for admission to the Graduate School.

Demonstration of writing competencies and participation in a preadmission interview is required of qualified applicants before a final admission decision is made.

Prospective students who fail to satisfy either the GPA or the GRE/MAT criterion may request special consideration of their applications. Such a request must be in writing, must include compensatory evidence related to the deficiencies, and should accompany the application for admission to the Graduate School. Final decisions regarding admissions are made by departmental program committees on the basis of a total profile of an individual’s qualifications. Appeals of a decision made by the program committee may be made to the department’s Student Affairs Committee. Appeals to this committee must be submitted in writing to the department chair and must explain the basis for the appeal.

Deficiency Study


In cases in which a student’s background in literacy education is limited, the individual may be required to fulfill deficiency requirements. Where significant deficiencies are found by the student’s advisory committee, additional semester hours above the 93 required for the doctoral degree may be prescribed.

Requirements


The doctoral program in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in literacy education requires the equivalent of at least three years of full-time academic work, or a minimum of 93 semester hours of graduate work beyond the baccalaureate degree including the following.

  • Course work constituting common requirements in research understandings and skills, learning and development theories, and sociocultural analyses of education (15)
  • Course work (excluding dissertation hours) in the specialization (12)
  • A cognate component selected from outside the specialization to provide a broader base of knowledge, a supportive professional skill, or more sophisticated research competencies (No specific number of semester hours is required.)

Examinations


A candidacy examination encompassing the principal areas of professional knowledge, the common requirements, and students’ special fields will be scheduled and administered at least twice each year. A graduate student eligible to take this examination, with the permission of the chair of the doctoral committee, will have completed at least two-thirds of his or her studies including the common requirements. Application for the examination can be made at the Department of Literacy Education.

A final oral examination related to the dissertation is required and is conducted in accordance with the general requirements of the Graduate School.

Specialization in Science, Social Studies, and Environmental Education Integration


The specialization in science, social studies, and environmental education integration focuses on the students’ current and future role to provide leadership in formal and nonformal instruction, curriculum development, and teacher education. The program provides students with a conceptual understanding of curriculum and instruction and also permits them to focus on the interdisciplinary field of science, social studies and environmental education.

Admission


Applicants for the Ed.D. program are expected to have a broad base of general education in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences and are required to present evidence of a minimum of three years of acceptable professional experience and/or demonstrated field leadership.

An applicant for admission is generally expected to

  • have a minimum GPA of 3.20 in previous graduate work.
  • submit scores on the General Test of the GRE or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
  • provide three letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or supervisors which provide supportive evidence of an applicant’s professional qualifications.
  • demonstrate satisfactory academic and professional progress as indicated by data included in the application for admission to the Graduate School.
  • Demonstration of writing competencies and participation in a preadmission interview is required of qualified applicants before a final admission decision is made.

Decisions about admission to the Ed.D. program in the department are made once each term. To be assured of consideration, completed applications containing all required data (application forms, official transcripts, GRE or MAT scores, and letters of recommendation) must be received by the Graduate School no later than March 1 for admission for the fall term, November 1 for admission for the spring term, and March 1 for admission for the summer session.

Prospective students who fail to satisfy either the GPA or the GRE/MAT criterion may request special consideration of their applications. Such a request must be in writing, must include compensatory
evidence related to the deficiencies, and should accompany the application for admission to the Graduate School. Final decisions regarding admissions are made by departmental program committees on the basis of a total profile of an individual’s qualifications. Appeals of a decision made by the program committee may be made to the department’s Academic Appeals Committee. Appeals to this committee must be submitted in writing to the department chair and must explain the basis for the appeal.
 

Deficiency Study


In cases in which a student’s background in his or her chosen specialty is limited, the individual may be required to fulfill deficiency requirements.

Requirements


The Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in science, social studies, and environmental education integration requires a minimum of 93 semester hours of graduate work beyond the baccalaureate degree, including the following.

  • Course work constituting common requirements in research understandings and skills, learning and development theories, and sociocultural analyses of education (15)
  • Course work (excluding dissertation hours) in TLEE courses, in TLCI environmental education courses, and TLCI 762 - Seminar: Review of Research in Secondary Education (12)
  • A cognate component selected from outside the specialization to provide a broader base of knowledge, a supportive professional skill, or more sophisticated research competencies
  • Successful completion of a candidacy examination. This examination encompasses the common requirements, the area of professional knowledge within the specialization, and, as appropriate, the cognate. The examination is scheduled with the permission of the chair of the student’s doctoral program committee, normally during the last term of course work prior to the dissertation. 

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