Online Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction
Flexible Learning. Rigorous Scholarship.
The Online Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction is designed for experienced educators who seek the flexibility of online learning while engaging in the rigorous scholarship expected of a doctoral program at a Carnegie-designated Research 1 university.
Students progress through the program as a cohort, building lasting professional relationships while working closely with faculty mentors and peers. Students typically include P–12 teachers, instructional coaches, school and district leaders, higher education professionals, and educational consultants who seek advanced research preparation and leadership opportunities.
The online program combines asynchronous and synchronous learning experiences with three required summer residency sessions on the NMSU Las Cruces campus, providing opportunities for intensive coursework, research collaboration, and community building.
Cohort Information
Application Deadline
January 31, 2028
Notification of Acceptance
March 2028
Cohort Begins
Summer Semester 2028
Program Format
The Online Ph.D. follows a cohort model that allows students to progress through the curriculum together.
During the Academic Year
Fall and spring courses are delivered online using a combination of asynchronous and synchronous learning through the Canvas platform.
Summer Residency
Students are required to attend one week of in-person classes on the NMSU Las Cruces campus during each of the program's first three summers.
The residency typically occurs in June and provides opportunities to:
- Engage in intensive doctoral coursework
- Participate in scholarly discussions and research activities
- Collaborate with faculty and peers
- Strengthen professional relationships within the doctoral cohort
- Become more familiar with the broader NMSU community
Program of Study
The Online Ph.D. consists of 60 credit hours:
All required coursework must be successfully completed before students enroll in dissertation hours.
Course Sequence
Year One
Summer
- EDUC 6110 – Curriculum for a Diverse Society
- EDUC 6420 – Evaluation of Quantitative Research in Education
- EDUC 6320 – Social Justice Issues in Education
Fall
- BLED 6110 – Acquiring Emancipatory Discourses
- EDLT 6230 – Technology, Society, & Education
Spring
- EDUC 6440 – Qualitative Research I
- EDUC 6120 – Pedagogy of Learning in a Diverse Society
Year Two
Summer
- EDUC 6997 – Independent Study (Theoretical Framework)
- CEPY 6430 – Advanced Statistical Methods
Fall
- READ 6110 – Critical Issues in Literacy Education
- EDUC 6410 – Current Research in Education
Spring
- EDUC 6230 – Research as Praxis: Qualitative Research II
- EDUC 6210 – Curriculum Mediation for Democratic Communities
Year Three
Summer
- EDUC 6910 – Qualitative Research Designs Seminar
Dissertation
Following successful completion of all coursework, students complete 18 credit hours of EDUC 7000: Dissertation Research, conducting original research under the guidance of their dissertation committee.
The NMSU Graduate Catalog features descriptions for each course in the program.
Who Should Choose the Online Program?
The Online Ph.D. Program is ideal for students who wish to continue working while pursuing rigorous scholarly experiences. Students typically include P–12 teachers, instructional coaches, school and district leaders, higher education professionals, and educational consultants who seek advanced research preparation and leadership opportunities.
Application Process
Applying to the doctoral program involves three steps.
