Ph.D. in Education, Concentration in Curriculum, Culture and Change
Doctorate PLUS Options
Maximize your Ph.D. in Education, Curriculum, Culture in Change by weaving the following graduate certificate requirements into your doctoral program timeline:
- Graduate Certificate in Culturally Responsive Leadership (15 credits)
- PMC in Educational Leadership (21 credits) leads to the Add-On Administration and Supervision Endorsement for Current Virginia Licensed Educators
- Post-Masters Certificate for Reading Specialists (21 credits) leads to the Add-On Reading Specialist Endorsement for Current Licensed Educators
Note: Students must complete an online application to both the certificate and doctoral program to graduate from both programs and the certificate must be completed before or at the same time as the doctorate is being conferred.
The curriculum, culture and change concentration of our Ph.D. in education offers doctoral students rigorous perspectives on curriculum, advocacy and social justice, while maintaining a commitment to instruction and learning. Graduates leave the program ready to be change agents for curriculum and instruction leadership positions within and beyond school systems, as well as scholars with a wide range of curricular interests — philosophical and sociocultural foundations of education, urban education, linguistically diverse groups, critical and culturally relevant pedagogy, anti-oppressive education, critical youth studies etc.
In addition to a deep grounding in theoretical, practical and methodological approaches to curriculum and instruction, the concentration prepares instructional leaders to advocate for change across a wide range of institutions, systems and contexts. We welcome students with interests in serving students across the life span (early childhood through adulthood) in formal and informal contexts and discipline-specific inquiry in fields including but not limited to STEM, technology, history, and literacy.
Curriculum requirements
The Ph.D. in education, concentration in curriculum, culture and change requires a minimum of 60 total graduate credit hours:
Degree requirements for the Ph.D. in education, concentration in curriculum, culture and change »
Please keep in mind, however, that the exact course requirements may vary depending on when you matriculated into the program, so please consult your adviser or the program coordinator with any additional questions.
VCU BULLETIN INFO
PROGRAM BASICS
How to apply: Graduate application
Semester of entry: Summer or fall
Application deadline: Jan. 15
Additional materials: VCU School of Education Graduate Assistantship Application, Curriculum Culture and Change Handbook
Faculty listing: Full list of curriculum, culture and change faculty
Faculty areas of interest: Research areasResources and Checklists
Application Checklist - Ph.D. Programs [PDF]
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- General admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School
- Master’s degree in an appropriate discipline
- Three letters of recommendation addressing the student’s potential for graduate study in education
- Statement of intent
- GRE optional
- Transcripts of all previous college work
- A personal interview and additional writing sample (may be requested)
- Professional vitae/resume
FOR MORE IN-DEPTH INFO
The VCU Holmes Scholars Program is a selective program that provides accepted doctoral students from historically underrepresented groups with resources and professional development to best position them for tenure track faculty positions in high (R2) and very high (R1) research universities. Our cross-disciplinary scholars create a network that leverages the collective and individual strengths of each member to maximize their VCU School of Education program. Learn more about how we live our values through the Holmes program!
- Ross Collin, Ph.D.
- Katherine P. Dabney, Ph.D.
- Luciana C. de Oliveira, Ph.D.
- Elizabeth Edmondson, Ph.D.
- Rachel F. Gomez, Ph.D.
- W. Monty Jones, Ph.D.
- Misti R. Mueller, Ed.D.
- Hillary Parkhouse, Ph.D.
- Maike Philipsen, Ph.D.
- Gabriel Reich, Ph.D.
- Joan Rhodes, Ph.D.
- Valerie Robnolt, Ph.D.
- Kurt Stemhagen, Ph.D.
- Nakisha Whittington, Ph.D.
Ready To Get Started?
- Luciana de Oliveira Ph.D.
- Assoc. Dean Academic Affairs
- (804) 828-3382
- deoliveiral@vcu.edu
Alternate contact email for this program: SOEinfo@vcu.edu