Nov 02, 2024  
2024-2025 GRADUATE CATALOG 
    
2024-2025 GRADUATE CATALOG

Instruction and Curriculum Leadership - Instruction and Curriculum, (EdD)


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EdD Degree Program


The primary purposes of the doctoral programs in the Department of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership are to prepare candidates for positions as teacher educators and researchers in colleges and universities; or, to produce experts in research and development who can lead initiatives to analyze, implement, and evaluate instructional materials and learning environments.

Program Admission


Admission to the Graduate School and admission to a specific ICL graduate program are separate procedures. Applicants must submit the following admissions information:

  • Application to the Graduate School that includes:
    1. Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score (verbal, quantitative, and writing)

    2. Official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate study

    3. Applicants who are not native speakers of English and are not graduates of The University of Memphis must supply a minimum score of 550 on the paper, a 210 on the computer-based, or 79 on the internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

  • Application to the program in the Department of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership (departmental applications can be obtained via the ICL web site (http://www.memphis.edu/icl/docs/edd_application_pc.docx) that includes:

    1. Two letters of recommendation from people familiar with the applicant’s academic background and aptitude for graduate work, specifying in detail the applicant’s capabilities for doctoral study and for future performance and scholarship. At least one letter from a college/university professor is preferred.

    2. A written statement of 500 to 1000 words (maximum) indicating the intended area of focus in the doctoral program and the applicant’s present interests and career goals.

    3. Interviews with two faculty members (one from the student’s area of interest) that must be completed prior to the College deadlines. The doctoral application file must be completed before an interview will be scheduled. Submit the Department of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership application to the Graduate Analyst in Ball Hall 215 (3798 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN 38152).

  • Each student’s file will be evaluated prior to full admission to the Department of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership. Only those files that are completed by the admission deadline will be considered. All application information must be received by February 1 for summer semesters, April 1 for fall semesters, and October 1 for the spring semester with the exception of applications for the EdD in the Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) program area, which has a summer admission only with a February 15 deadline.

  • The above criteria represent the minimum acceptable admission requirements. Depending on the applicant’s educational background, the graduate committee may require additional coursework to prepare the student for doctoral studies.

Program Requirements


  1. A minimum total of 54 post-master’s hours.

  2. The major will consist of 42-45 hours, including the department core requirements: ICL 8200 - Prof Sem/Doctoral Stdnt , ICL 8005 - The Nature of Knowledge , 9-12 hours of dissertation credit (ICL 9000 ), and 3-6 hours of Research Residency Seminar (ICL 8995 ). A maximum of 15 hours for ICL 8995  and ICL 9000  will be credited toward the degree.

    • NOTE: Students must adhere to the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide when writing their dissertation.

    • (This does not apply to IDT whose doctoral students are expected to follow the program of study for the IDT major concentration.)

    • (This does not apply to students in SPED with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis whose doctoral students are expected to follow the program of study identified in collaboration with their advisor.)

  3. The research requirement for ICL will consist of 9-12 hours which includes EDPR 8541 EDPR 8561 , and 3 - 6 additional elective research hours in consultation with advisor. The elective research hours should consist of courses directed toward research and/or statistical techniques and procedures necessary for the discipline and the dissertation topic.

    • (This does not apply to IDT whose doctoral students are expected to follow the program of study for the IDT major concentration.)

  4. Approved transfer credit or post-master’s courses may be accepted for not more than 12 semester hours.

  5. Completion of the college residency requirements.

Additional information pertaining to the major and concentration areas may be secured from the Chair or Graduate Coordinator of the Department of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership.

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