The Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum Ph.D. with emphasis in Social Studies Education at the University of Oklahoma prepares students to expand their teaching and scholarly abilities at a variety of levels, from PK-12 classrooms through higher education. Designed to build on the experiences of PK-12 social studies teachers, the program explores ways to utilize history, geography, sociology, philosophy, psychology, anthropology, economics and political science to prepare students for responsible citizenship in a diverse and democratic society.
The program also accommodates adult learners seeking social studies teacher certification and experienced practitioners interested in teaching college-level social studies. Recent graduates of our doctoral program teach social studies at all grade levels, including PK-12 classrooms, local colleges and universities, and national institutions of higher education.
The concentration focuses on specializations within the field of Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum. Studies undertaken shape the thematic issues in the students' programs. Courses for all concentrations focus on (1) the specialization areas and (2) related educational areas, including academic disciplines.
Requirements and distribution of hours are specified by each program area (see program advisor). For all concentrations, courses are selected based on program criteria and students' professional interests and goals. Programs of study must be approved by the advisor and members of the doctoral committee.
Electives allow the student and advisor some flexibility in including coursework that either (1) extends the number of hours in areas such as research methodology, but does not include dissertation hours, or (2) includes previously taken graduate course hours that do not fit existing categories. Courses will be selected based on the students' professional interests and goals and approved by the advisor and doctoral committee.
Additional hours beyond the maximum 12 may be taken but will not be included as part of the 90-hour program.
TOTAL HOURS: 90 hours beyond the Bachelor’s Degree
Students in the Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum doctoral program will take courses in: Theoretical Issues in the Curriculum and Instruction, Teaching and Learning, Cultural Diversity, Research Methodology, and the Specialization Area in which they are admitted.
New doctoral students in the Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum program also take a proseminar the first fall of their residency to orient them to the field, introduce them to professors, administrative leaders, and fellow students on campus, and to socialize them to the ethos of doctoral study and the academy.
Doctoral programs are designed for present and prospective service faculty positions in colleges and universities, public schools, and other education and training agencies in government and the private sector.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum is directed toward the development of scholarly expertise in a field of study and is intended to serve individuals who have promise of making contributions to their areas of expertise.
Prospective students are encouraged to seek additional information by contacting the college graduate programs officer, Mike Jenkins (mjenkins@ou.edu) or the department chair, Dr. Kristy Brugar (kristy.a.brugar@ou.edu).
All ILAC programs consider applications on a rolling basis.
