Ed.D. Curriculum and Instruction

Process to Apply to the Curriculum & Instruction Doctoral Program

Accepting applications for fall, spring, and summer admission with priority deadlines of July 1 for fall, November 1 for spring, and April 1 for summer.

Submit the following materials to the Marshall University Graduate Admissions Office 

1. Application for Graduate Admission
The “Marshall University Graduate Application for Admission” must be completed and submitted. The online application is available at https://www.marshall.edu/admissions/graduate/. Apply to the Doctor of Education (EdD) program in Curriculum and Instruction (Code: GEKO) as a Distance-Only Graduate Student.   
2. Transcripts
Applicants must request that official transcripts, for all completed undergraduate and graduate degree programs, be sent by the degree-granting institution(s) to the MU Graduate Admissions Office.
3. Goal Statement
Applicants must develop an original goal statement that is written as an essay (500-750 words) that addresses the following topics and program goals:  

  • professional experiences that provide a basis for the applicant’s contributions to the program;
  • role of the Ed.D. in the applicant’s professional growth plan;
  • personal strengths that will contribute to the applicant’s success in the Ed.D. program; and 
  • further information the applicant deems relevant to the admissions process and decision. 
4. Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Applicants must provide a current resume or curriculum vitae that includes educational and professional experience, and may also include, but is not limited to, prior or current experience in areas such as:  

  • Academic service: educator, peer mentor, team leader, program coordinator, curriculum development team member or leader, etc.
  • Scholarly and/or research endeavors: thesis publication, researcher, publication in a referred journal, presenter or similar role, program/grant reviewer, etc. 
  • Academic honors and/or awards: National Board Certification, teacher of the year, recipient of other awards or honors, etc. 
  • Other: certifications, grant awards, etc.   

Once these items are received, all application materials submitted up to this point (application, transcripts, goal statement, and resume/CV) will be forwarded from the Graduate Admissions Office to the CI Ed.D. Admissions Committee for review. 

Submit these materials by invitation only

The CI Ed.D. Admissions Committee will invite the most qualified applicants to complete a scheduled electronic writing prompt assessment (at no additional cost to the applicant) and to participate in a virtual interview with program faculty. 

5. Writing Prompt Assessment
Applicants will respond to a timed, online writing prompt that will be evaluated by the CI Ed.D. Admissions Committee. The online writing prompt will be evaluated using a rubric based on content quality, organization, evidence/examples, and mechanics.
6. Interview
Applicants will participate in a virtual interview with program faculty. Interviews are guided by a prepared set of questions designed to further gauge an applicant’s readiness for doctoral studies. The interview also provides applicants the opportunity to meet program faculty and ask questions to learn more about the program. Being invited to the interview does not guarantee admission to the program. 

The CI Ed.D. Admissions Committee will make final recommendations regarding admission and applicants will be notified as soon as possible.