Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction Studies Ph.D.

Program Overview

The Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction Studies Ph.D. program at UNT is a research-oriented program that focuses on educational leadership, social change, and equity in early childhood education. The program emphasizes theoretical foundations, contemporary issues, and research methodology, while also providing support services for graduate students. Graduates can pursue careers as scholars, researchers, teacher educators, or leaders in research-focused positions.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction Studies Ph.D. program at the University of North Texas is a research-intensive program designed to develop educational leaders, researchers, and facilitators of social change for children, their families, and their teachers and caregivers. Graduates are prepared for diverse teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities.

Outline:

• Program Type: Major
• Format: On Campus
• Estimated Time to Complete: 3-4 years
• Credit Hours: 60
• Course Examples:
• Culture, Identity and Education (3 hrs)
• Theoretical Foundations for Educational Studies (3 hrs)
• Current Readings and Research in Early Childhood Studies (3 hrs)
• Contemporary Critical Issues in Early Childhood Studies (3 hrs)
• Advocacy/Activism in Early Childhood Studies (3 hrs)
• Traditions of Inquiry (3 hrs)

Careers:

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Curriculum and Instruction prepares graduates for careers as scholars, researchers, or teacher educators in higher education or to hold research-oriented leadership positions.

Other:

• The program provides a firm grounding in educational theory, pedagogical practice, and research methodology.
• It engages in educational efforts focused on social justice and equity.
• Students develop research agendas to pursue their professional careers.
• The program prepares students to be leaders in research and pedagogy.
• Students gain an integrative perspective on education.
• The faculty members have a wide range of interests in their specialization areas.
• Their research interests span from curriculum integration to technology to language and literacy issues, all across a diverse range of grade levels and populations.
• UNT provides a wide variety of services exclusively to graduate students.
• Marketable skills developed in the program include:
• Leading learning organizations
• Using theory, research, and best practices
• Engaging the community for social justice
• Developing organizational agendas promoting success
• Managing resources/services promoting success