Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction

The Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction (Ph.D. in C&I) degree provides a theoretical and practical course of study in curriculum and instruction. The program is designed for teachers, curriculum coordinators, college instructors, corporate and agency curriculum planners, academics, and other professional educators. The program enables students to develop a theoretical and conceptual framework for studying teaching and learning, and also encourages professional educators to develop knowledge and practice in an area of specialization of their choice. The Ph.D. in C&I culminates in a dissertation, focused on an area of investigation that interests the doctoral candidate and benefits the profession. Doctoral candidates have opportunities to participate with faculty on research, in teaching, and in professional activities, including publishing and conference presentations.
- Flexible and hybrid programming, providing online and in-person courses for select portions of coursework
- In-person curriculum and instruction courses are offered in the evening for students working full-time
- One third of program credits are allotted to electives, allowing students to personalize their C&I degree in any area of specialization
- Graduate Teaching Assistantship positions available for students
- Experienced and prominent faculty
- Program start: August (Fall semester)
- A grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work.
- A GPA of 3.25 or better in a completed master’s degree program.
- GRE scores on the quantitative, verbal, and written sections which are no more than 5 years old from the date of your application to the program.
(Please note that the GRE requirement has been waived for applications due FEB 1st, 2023) - For international students, a TOEFL score of 500 (Paper-Based Test) or 61 (Internet Based Test) or an IELTS band score of 6.0.
- Admission Requirements
- Fill out the online graduate application for FAU.
- Submit undergraduate and graduate official transcripts in sealed envelopes from all schools attended. NOTE: If you attended one of the Florida State University System institutions, transcripts may be requested electronically.
Send to: FAU Graduate College, 777 Glades Road, SU 80, Room 101, Boca Raton, FL 33431 - Beginning with the FALL 2022 term, you must submit the following documentation to the Graduate College utilizing GradCas, upon which departmental approval will be contingent: (a) a professional statement describing your career goals, research interests, and reasons for wanting to enter the program; (b) two letters of recommendation on professional letterhead that highlight the candidate’s academic potential from supervisors and/or professors, and (c) one piece of work that demonstrates graduate-level writing ability (e.g., an academic term paper, a published work in which you are the primary author.
- The application deadline is February 15th for a program start date of August of the same year (Fall semester) (for both domestic and international students)
- All required admission documents must be received by February 15th deadline
For questions about the program, application process, admissions process, please contact:

Dr. Sabrina F. Sembiante
Associate Professor and Ph.D. Program Coordinator
Email: ssembiante@fau.edu