This document provides an overview and requirements for the online Doctor of Education (EdD) degree program in Curriculum & Instruction at the University of South Carolina. The program requires a minimum of 60 post-master's credit hours including 27 hours in core curriculum and instruction courses, 12 hours in research courses, 9 hours in a cognate area, passing a qualifying exam, completing a comprehensive exam portfolio, defending a dissertation proposal, taking 12 hours of dissertation credits, and defending the final dissertation. The program is aimed at preparing scholarly practitioners to solve problems of practice through action research. Requirements include maintaining a 3.0 GPA, completing all degree requirements within 10 years, and satisfying residency requirements through full-time

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DOCTOR OF EDUCATION (EdD) DEGREE
PROGRAM GUIDE
ON-LINE
CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
Department of Instruction and Teacher Education
College of Education
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
I. Degree Requirements p. 2
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
I. Applying for Admission p. 2
USC DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAM OF STUDY (DPOS)
I. Curriculum & Instruction Course Sequence p. 3
II. Research Course Sequence p. 3
III. Cognate Suggestions p. 3
ADDITIONAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
I. Qualifying Examination p. 4
II. Comprehensive Exam Reflective Problem of Practice Portfolio p. 5
III. Applied Dissertation Proposal p. 6
IV. Applied Dissertation Credits and Preparation pp. 6-7
GENERAL INFORMATION
I. Degree and Residency Requirements p. 7
II. Grade Requirements pp. 7-8
III. Time Limitations p. 8

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
I. Degree Requirements (60 Post Masters Hours):
The On-Line Doctor of Education Degree Program in Curriculum & Instruction (EdD C&I) at
the University of South Carolina is informed by the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate
Consortium (CPED) and is designed for the Scholarly Practitioner who seeks to blend practical
wisdom with professional skills and knowledge to name, frame, and solve Problems of Practice
in Laboratories of Practice (e.g., classrooms, social institutions) using Action Research and
applied theories as tools for change. The EdD C&I provides an in-depth understanding of equity
and social justice and is aimed at resolving Problems of Practice through collaboration with key
stakeholders, including the university, the educational institution, the community, and
individuals. The EdD C&I prepares scholarly practitioners for university professorships, district-
level curriculum administration, and school level instructional and leadership positions.
The online EdD C&I consists of a minimum of 60 Post Masters hours. A minimum of 39 hours
must be earned in the EdD Degree Program at USC.
REQUIREMENTS
1. Core Curriculum & Instruction Courses (9 courses) 27 hours
2. Research Courses (4 courses) 12 hours
3. Cognate Courses (3 courses) 09 hours
4. Qualifying Exam (taken after 9-15 hours of coursework)
5. Comprehensive Exam Portfolio (submit after 42 credits) (PASS=Candidacy)
6. Applied Dissertation Proposal (completed after comprehensive PASS)
7. Applied Dissertation Credits and Dissertation (899 credits) 12 hours
Total credit hours required beyond the master’s degree for EdD in
Curriculum & Instruction
60 hours
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
I. Applying for Admission
A. Complete The Graduate School application online http://gradschool.sc.edu
B. Submit to the Graduate School:
1. Two (2) letters of recommendation from a supervisor and/or professor who can
speak to the applicant’s ability to do doctoral level work;
2. One (1) letter of intent that details the applicant’s fit for the on-line EdD C&I;
3. Scholarly writing sample (s) with evidence of American Psychological
Association (APA) citations and references;
4. Official transcripts reflecting all undergraduate and graduate degree work; and
5. Test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (minimum 300
combined 151 Verbal and 149 Quantitative) OR the Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
(minimum 385).

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USC DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAM OF STUDY (DPOS)
CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION COURSE SEQUENCE (9 required courses)
Course Number – Course Title Semester
1. EDCS 720—Introduction to Diversity and the Curriculum
2. EDCS 725—Principles of Curriculum Construction
3. EDCS 726—Curriculum Leadership
4. EDCS 820—Advanced Study of Diversity & Curriculum
5. EDTE 777—Analysis of Effective Instructional Practices
6. EDTE 778—Teacher as Instructional and Professional Leader
7. EDCS 824—Curriculum Seminar: Classics & Theory
8. EDTE 780—Field Study Preparation
9. EDTE 781—Advanced Field Study Preparation
RESEARCH COURSE SEQUENCE (4 required courses)
Course Number – Course Title Semester
1. EDRM 700—Introduction to Research
2. EDRM 723—Classroom Assessment
3. EDTE 712—Action Research in Teaching
4. EDTE 713—Action Research Capstone Seminar
EXAMPLE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY (EDET) COGNATE (minimum of 3)
Course Number – Course Title Semester
EDET 709—Applications of Learning Principles
EDET 722—Instructional Design & Assessment
EDET 735—Technological Application for Diverse Populations
EDET 755—Design & Evaluation of Info Access & Delivery
EXAMPLE EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP & POLICIES (EDLP) COGNATE (minimum of 3)
Course Number – Course Title Semester
EDLP 700—Introduction to Educational Administration
EDLP 701—School Leadership
EDLP 702—School Personnel Administration
EDLP 703—Supervision of Instruction
EDLP 704—School Finance & Business Management
EDLP 705—Legal Basis of Ed Organization and Administration
EXAMPLE SPECIALIST IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE (SLIS) COGNATE
(minimum of 3)
Course Number – Course Title Semester
SLIS 701—Introduction to Library & Information Studies
SLIS 702—Introduction to Technical Services
SLIS 703—Introduction to Information Sources & Services
SLIS 720—School Library Media Program Development
SLIS 742—Role of School Media Specialist

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ADDITIONAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
I. QUALIFYING EXAMINATION
Successful completion of the Qualifying Examination serves as Admission to Candidacy for the
Doctor of Education degree. Admission to Candidacy will be granted by the Dean of the
Graduate School on the recommendation of program faculty. No course work beyond 15 hours
should be taken without successful completion of the Qualify Examination. Successful
completion of the Qualifying Examination serves as admission to Candidacy for the EdD C&I
degree. This requirement must be completed at least one full academic year before granting of
the degree.
The Qualifying Examination should be completed and submitted upon successful
completion of the following course work:
 EDCS 720—Introduction to Diversity and the Curriculum
 EDCS 725—Principles of Curriculum Construction
 EDCS 726—Curriculum Leadership
 EDRM 700—Introduction to Research
The Qualifying Examination consists of two parts:
A. The Doctoral Program of Study to be completed by the student at the time of the
Qualifying Examination. Candidates are required to complete a minimum of 30
semester hours at the University of South Carolina after the DPOS is approved by the
Dean of the Graduate School. The Doctoral Program of Study (DPOS) form is
available at: http://gradschool.sc.edu/DocLibrary/.
B. A Written Paper is posted to Black Board’s On-Line Community EdD C&I
https://blackboard.sc.edu not to exceed 2,000 words that includes the following parts
with American Psychological (APA) style citations and sub-headings:
1. Problem of Practice
i. A description of a significant problem of practice;
2. Rationale for the Problem of Practice
i. A discussion of why the problem of practice is important;
3. Causes of the Problem of Practice
i. A discussion of the potential underlying causes of the problem of
practice;
4. Area of Specialization
i. A discussion of the ways in which this problem of practice aligns
with your chosen area of specialization; and
5. Reference Page
i. A Reference page with a minimum of three (3) sources cited in
Association (APA) style.

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II. COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION:
REFLECTIVE PROBLEM OF PRACTICE PORTFOLIO
The Comprehensive Examination is a Reflective Problem of Practice Portfolio and is
administered to determine how well the student has achieved the goals of the program of study
and if additional courses or experiences are required. The Comprehensive Exam Portfolio
should be completed and submitted upon successful completion of the following course work:
 EDTE 777—Analysis of Effective Instructional Practices
 EDTE 778—Teacher as Instructional and Professional Leader
 EDCS 824—Curriculum Seminar: Classics & Theory
 EDTE 780—Field Study Preparation
 EDTE 781—Advanced Field Study Preparation
To complete the Comprehensive Examination is a Reflective Problem of Practice Portfolio
the student must have:
1. Maintained a minimum 3.0 grade point average on all coursework since acceptance as a
degree candidate;
2. Completed coursework: EDTE 777; EDTE 778; EDCS 824; EDTE 780; and EDTE 781 and
be more than 60 days from the date at which the candidate expects to receive the degree; and
3. Received the designation of PASS from the examining committee members
If the student receives the designation of FAIL, the examining committee determines the
additional coursework or experiences the student should complete to proceed. Reflective
Problem of Practice Portfolio is posted to Black Board’s On-Line Community EdD C&I
https://blackboard.sc.edu and includes a minimum of 30 pages that includes the following four
(4) parts with American Psychological (APA) style citations and sub-headings:
1. Introduction
a. Discussion of identification of the Problem of Practice
b. Rationale for the Problem of Practice
c. Causes of the Problem of Practice
d. Area of Specialization
2. Literature Review
a. Discussion of a Solution or Solutions in the Literature about the identified Problem of
Practice
3. Methodology
a. Discussion of Action Research methods to develop a new solution to the Problem of
Practice
OR
b. Discussion of Action Research methods to evaluate the effectiveness of a solution to the
Problem of Practice
4. Reference Page
a. Reference page with a minimum of three (3) sources cited in APA style.

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III. APPLIED DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
The Applied Dissertation is a Capstone Experience in which participants design and implement
an Applied Action Research study focused around a context-based Problem of Practice. The
student’s Proposal Committee and Dissertation Defense Committee guides and evaluates the
candidate’s Applied Dissertation Proposal and Applied Dissertation defenses. The Applied
Dissertation Proposal is a detailed manuscript outlining the plan for Action Research conducted
for the student’s Applied Dissertation. This document is drafted under the direction and
guidance of the Applied Dissertation Committee with specific instruction from the Applied
Dissertation Committee Advisor.
To complete the Dissertation Proposal Process the student must have:
1. Passed the Comprehensive Exam Reflective Problem of Practice Portfolio
2. Selected three (3) approved faculty members to serve on the Applied Dissertation
Committee;
3. Completed an acceptable draft of the Applied Dissertation proposal per the Applied
Dissertation Advisor’s instruction;
4. Submitted the acceptable draft of the Applied Dissertation proposal to the Applied
Dissertation Committee;
5. Received instruction to schedule the oral defense of the Applied Dissertation proposal. The
defense meeting requires one to two hours and is restricted to a defense of the written draft
of the proposal as accepted by the student’s Applied Dissertation Committee;
6. Received the designation of PASS on the defense of the Applied Dissertation proposal; and
7. Received permission from the Office of Research Compliance IRB to conduct research with
human subjects. The routing and review process is available at http://orc.research.sc.edu
Click on HSSCeirb
If the student receives the designation of FAIL on the Applied Dissertation proposal, the Applied
Dissertation Committee determines the additional work required to bring the manuscript
proposal to a level of acceptance whereby the Applied Dissertation Committee has confidence in
the student’s ability to successfully complete the proposed Action Research project. In the case
of FAIL, the student is required to schedule a subsequent defense of the revised manuscript
proposal or other arrangements to satisfy the will of the Committee.
IV. APPLIED DISSERTATION CREDITS AND PREPARATION
EDTE 899 Credits
Students are required to complete a minimum of 12 EDTE 899 dissertation hours which are
earned independently under the supervision of the student’s dissertation advisor and can be taken
in increments of 1-12 credit hours. NOTE: Students must be registered for one (1) 899 credit the
semester of the Applied Dissertation defense.
Applied Dissertation Writing and Defense
All Applied Dissertations carry single authorship. The Degree Candidate conducts Action
Research described in the Applied Dissertation Proposal and writes the Applied Dissertation
under the guidance of the Committee with specific instruction from the Applied Dissertation

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Committee Advisor.
To complete the Applied Dissertation Preparation Process the student must have:
1. Successfully defended the Applied Dissertation Proposal with a designation of PASS
2. Completed an acceptable draft of the Applied Dissertation per the Applied Dissertation
Advisor’s instruction;
3. Submitted the acceptable draft of the Applied Dissertation to the Applied Dissertation
Committee;
4. Received instruction to schedule the oral defense of the Applied Dissertation at least 30 days
prior to the date the degree is to be awarded. The defense meeting requires one to two hours
and is restricted to a defense of the written draft of the Applied Dissertation as accepted by
the student’s Applied Dissertation Defense Committee. The Applied Dissertation
Committee Advisor may invite guests to ask questions if he or she chooses at the end of the
examination. However, invited guests shall not vote or comment on the Candidate’s
performance;
5. Received the designation of PASS on the defense of the Applied Dissertation.
If the Candidate receives the designation of FAIL on the Applied Dissertation defense by a
majority of the Doctoral Defense Committee, a Re-Examination Committee will be appointed
and the Examination will be Re-Administered if the Candidate so chooses. If the Candidate does
not pass the Re-Examination, s/he shall be disqualified from further graduate study toward the
EdD C&I in the College of Education.
GENERAL INFORMATION
I. Degree and Residency Requirements
The intent of doctoral residency is to ensure that doctoral students benefit from and contribute to
the complete spectrum of educational and professional opportunities provided by the graduate
faculty of a comprehensive university. When establishing residency, the student should interact
with faculty and peers by regularly attending courses, conferences, and seminars, and utilize the
library and library facilities and resources needed to support excellence in graduate education.
The residency requirement for the EdD C&I must be met by the completion, after admission to
the program, of 18 graduate credits in the student's program within a period of three consecutive
major (fall or spring) semesters. Summer enrollment may expedite the completion of the
residency requirement but is not essential to continuous enrollment. If continuous enrollment is
interrupted, no accumulated credits will count toward residency and the continuous enrollment
residency requirement must be completed in its entirety beginning with the next student
enrollment. The student’s Program Advisor will certify the time period in and courses with
which the student satisfied the residency requirement.
II. Grade Requirements
In order to receive the Ed. D. degree, the candidate must earn:
1. A grade of B (grade point average of 3.0) on all courses completed at USC;
2. A grade of B (grade point average of 3.0) on all courses in the approved program of study; and
3. A grade of B (grade point average of 3.0) on all 700 and 800 level courses

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NOTE: Twelve (12) graduate credit hours with grades below B in graduate coursework
attempted at the USC will disqualify the Candidate for the EdD C&I degree.
III. Time Limitations
The Applied Dissertation must be completed and defended within five (5) years after the
candidate has successfully passed the Comprehensive Examination Reflective Problem of
Practice Portfolio. Failure to meet this time limitation will necessitate retaking the
Comprehensive Examination Reflective Problem of Practice Portfolio. All credits and
examinations applicable to the student's EdD C&I program must be completed within ten (10)
years prior to the date the degree is awarded. Failure to enroll in coursework for two years
requires re-application for admission. The existing revalidation process may be used as
necessary to update courses taken at the University of South Carolina.