School of Education
Graduate Programs
Master's Degree
- M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
- M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
- M.Ed. Educational Technology Leadership
- M.A.T. in Multiple Levels
Doctoral Degree
Meet our Faculty in the Ed.D. Program
Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction
Graduate Program Timeline & Milestones
Welcome to your doctoral journey in the Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction program.
Our structured pathway is designed to support your growth as an educational leader
and researcher through key academic benchmarks:
COURSEWORK → COMPREHENSIVE EXAM → PROPOSAL → PROPOSAL DEFENSE →DISSERTATION/CAPSTONE → GRADUATION
1. Begin Your Doctoral Journey
First Semesters of the Program
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Review the Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction program requirements and the Graduate Student Handbook.
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Develop a preliminary plan of study with guidance of the Program Coordinator.
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Connect with School of Education faculty and begin identifying research interests.
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Ensure you have access to the Ed.D. Canvas course shell and program resources. If not, email Dr. Jenny Quintana
2. Prepare for the Comprehensive Examination
Completion Window: Final Semesters of Coursework
Taken as you near the end of your required coursework, the Comprehensive Examination assesses your mastery of program content and confirms your readiness to begin your doctoral research.
Before Eligibility: Ensure you have finished all coursework (or have at most 2 remaining courses) and have secured a Major Professor from the ULM School of Education. Meet with your Major Professor to discuss your research interests, select your research pathway (Dissertation or Practice-Based Capstone), and review the Ed.D. Graduate Student Handbook for exam guidelines.
Comprehensive Exam Registration
Comprehensive examinations are offered during the Fall and Spring semesters but not during the Summer.
Registration deadlines:
Spring 1–2
First Wednesday of November
Fall 1–2
First Wednesday of May
Steps for Registration
1. Verify Schedule: Confirm exam dates with Dr. Jenny Quintana or view the announcement on Ed.D. C&I Canvas.
2. Select Committee & Major Professor: Identify three faculty members (one Major Professor and two Committee Members). Email them your CV and research focus. Ensure your Major Professor is someone with whom you can collaborate regularly on your degree progress.
3. Submit Comprehensive Examination Form (Form 4): Complete your student details, committee names, and target term (Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, or Spring 2) on Form 4. No signatures are required until after the exam is passed.
4. Complete Comps Registration Survey: Submit the required registration survey, published on Canvas Announcements at the beginning of the second 8-week session each semester.
5. Course Enrollment: Register for CURR 7015 or CURR 7016, aligned with your Major Professor's recommendation.
6. Final Verification: Watch for an official eligibility confirmation email from Dr. Quintana at the start of your 8-week exam term
3. Complete the Comprehensive Examination
The Comprehensive Examination consists of two sequential phases:
Phase 1: Written Examination. You will have two weeks to complete the written exam and upload your responses via Canvas. Detailed instructions and prompts will be provided at the start of the testing window.
Phase 2: Oral Examination. Following the written exam, you will have one week to prepare for a 1-hour virtual oral defense with your doctoral committee. Oral exams are conducted via Teams and scheduled based on faculty availability during the designated examination week.
Advancement to Candidacy: Successfully passing both the written and oral examinations allows you to officially advance to the dissertation/capstone proposal stage.
4. Develop Your Research Proposal
1. Proposal Planning: Meet with your Major Professor to outline your research topic, writing goals, and proposal timeline.
2. Form 5 Submission: Submit Form 5 to your Major Professor at the beginning of the semester of your planned proposal defense.
3. Drafting & IRB Clearance: Develop your proposal draft with feedback from your Major Professor and fulfill all IRB requirements (if human subjects are involved).
4. Committee Coordination: Work with your Major Professor to set a proposal defense date that aligns with committee availability.
5. 2-Week Document Distribution: Send the final proposal draft to all committee members at least two weeks before your defense date.
5. Dissertation or Practice-Based Capstone
Following proposal approval, you will complete the final research component of your doctoral program.
Work with your major professor to establish a timeline for:
Dissertation
Complete an original research study that contributes to knowledge and practice in your field.
OR
Practice-Based Action Research Capstone
Complete an applied research project focused on addressing a real-world educational problem or challenge.
Your major professor and committee will guide you through the requirements, research process, and final completion of your selected option.
Important Resources
Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction Program: ULM Online Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction
Ed.D. Graduate Student Handbook
Comprehensive Examination Form (Form 4)
Questions?
For questions about your doctoral program, comprehensive examination, proposal, dissertation, or capstone, work directly with your major professor or contact the ULM School of Education.
