Skip navigation
An alumna: Pursue your EdD in Curriculum and Instruction at Regent University.

Ed.D. – Curriculum & Instruction

Make a Significant Difference Through an Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction

Are you a practitioner-based leader interested in improving current educational programs? Imagine using your influence to shape the future of education and investing in brighter possibilities for you too. Regent’s Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Curriculum & Instruction helps you deliver research-supported programs while teaching you how curriculum and instruction can be structured and applied to educational reform.

Online
61+
January 13, 2025
Download PDF

INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL

Capitalize on a higher salary with your doctoral degree.

IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE APPROACHES

Enhance student engagement by integrating technology into the curriculum.

EXPAND YOUR CAREER PATH THROUGH AN ED.D. IN CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

Take your career to the next level with influential leadership opportunities.

Presented from a Christian worldview, the Ed.D. – Curriculum & Instruction is supported by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

On completing the Ed.D. – Curriculum & Instruction degree, you can:

  • Identify best practices through exploring the theories and research behind curriculum and instruction programs.
  • Develop evaluation skills valuable in assessing curriculum design and instruction practices.
  • Create original research and prepare for publication in refereed conferences, journals, and books.

Career Opportunities

  • University Faculty
  • Curriculum & Instruction Specialist
  • School District Administrator
Ranked Among Top National Universities U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023
Featured Courses
EADM 704Advanced Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment3
Underpinnings, principles, and issues of curriculum, instruction, and assessment as they directly relate to student learning and achievement.
ECUR 700Diversity, Inclusion, & Theory in the Classroom3
Investigates current best practices for merging an inclusionary classroom of students with disabilities to learn alongside their non-disabled peers, while also presenting strategies to better understand diversity and link the two to educational theory.
EDCO 801Strategic Planning & Program Evaluation3
Examines strategic planning and the role of program evaluation in the planning-implementation-evaluation cycle to include the curriculum planning process. Topics include various theoretical and philosophical perspectives, alternative evaluation designs and related methodologies including collaborative action research and issues related to design, measurement and utilization. The goal is to help educators become active collaborators in the evaluation process and to give them the tools to judge the value of an evaluation. Whether the task is designing an internal evaluation of a local program, contracting for an external evaluation at the district level, or critically reviewing an evaluation report as a basis for making an administrative decision, this course offers important leadership preparation. Each student will prepare an evaluability assessment related to a self-selected educational program in his/her area of concentration. Prerequisite: a graduate level research course.
EDEL 835Advanced Development of Programs & Curricula3
An in-depth study of program and curricula development.
EFND 724Advanced Study of Theories in Learning & Development3
Provides some of the major conjecture and theories used to meet the learning and development needs of adults, and an overview of learning theories, their design and applications for the adult learner in various settings. Investigates topics to include self-directed learning, constructivism, autonomous learning, creative environments conductive to adult learning, designing and implementing training programs and instructional design techniques.
EFND 726Foundations of Online Learning3
Explores foundational theories and research-based practices associated with development of online learning programs.
EHEA 807Curriculum & Assessment for College/University Teaching3
Centers on effective strategies for planning curricula and assessment procedures to a diverse group of learners---from 18 to adult age categories. Particular emphasis will be placed on: building an effective bibliography and syllabus; finding additional resources outside traditional boundaries of education (i.e. advanced technology application); examining a variety of assessment procedures that would be effective with diverse learners; choosing texts and materials, grading procedures and policies, etc. This course is open to all university doctoral students who are seeking a career in college or university teaching.

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session MFriday, September 6Monday, September 16
Session BFriday, October 11Monday, October 21
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session TFriday, January 31Monday, February 10
Session DFriday, March 7Monday, March 17
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12
Session FFriday, June 13Monday, June 23

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5656$3,390
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8003$2,400
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8003$2,400

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5659$5,085
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8009$7,200
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8006$4,800

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5656$3,390
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8003$2,400
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8003$2,400

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5659$5,085
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8009$7,200
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8006$4,800

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Advanced Standing

Students possessing an Ed.S. or equivalent may be admitted to the Ed.D. program with advanced standing after a review of their post-master’s transcript(s). Offered in a cohort model. Students may begin the program in the spring, summer or fall semesters. Courses are delivered online with some required face-to-face components. School division cohorts are also offered in varying formats.

Faculty

Dr. Finn is the concentration chair for Curriculum & Instruction and is committed to your success.

Dr. Don Finn has been a faculty member since 2006 and served as the School of Education Dean from July 2015-2018. Specializing in Adult Education, he has been an educator for over 25 years and possesses a current Virginia Postgraduate Professional teaching license in secondary education.

Dr. Finn earned his B.S. in Secondary Education, Social Sciences concentration and his M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with an Adult Education concentration from Radford University. He taught 7th through 12th grade social studies and in the adult night high school program in Montgomery County, Virginia. In 1999, he accepted a position to provide statewide leadership through the Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center located at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). While at the VCU School of Education, he served as a collateral faculty member, a grant and project coordinator and instructor. He earned his Ph.D. in Adult Education and Organizational Learning from VCU in 2005.

His service has included leadership at the state and national levels as president of the Virginia Association for Adult & Continuing Education (VAACE) and various appointed roles, and as an elected executive board member for the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE). His COABE service includes: Secretary, Region 2 representative (2013-2015), national conference chairman (2012, 2015, 2018), conference program chairman (2016 & 2017), and President-Elect (2017-2019). He has been a textbook consultant, an article reviewer for select journals, and a consultant to adult education programs in Virginia and other states.

Finn has served on various Regent University committees including chairing the university Curriculum and Instruction Review Committee (CIRC), faculty senator, chairman of the School of Education Doctoral program and the Masters of Curriculum & Instruction (M.Ed.) program. He was named the School of Education Outstanding Faculty Member in 2010, VAACE Outstanding Adult Education Leader in 2013 and received the 2014 VAACE President’s Award for outstanding service.

Finn has authored and co-authored numerous articles and book chapters about effective instructional practices for adult learners, university professors and other diverse learners.

“From the professors to advisors to support staff, my experience at Regent has been extremely satisfying, and I highly recommend the program to others.”
Lorri Wilke, M.Ed., 2012 NILD Educational Therapy
“A Regent education will open up doors for you. It certainly has for me.”
Roxie Godfrey, Ed.D., 2005 Teacher Educator & Assistant Professor, Texas Tech University
“After nearly 25 years in the military and in business, Regent's Career Switcher program inspired me and prepared me to become a classroom teacher and an educational leader. I lean on what I learned there often.”
Pat McCarty, M.Ed., 2009 Career Switcher
“One of my professors actually called me while I was in the program. That really opened up the door for me. Even though I'm doing this online, I still have a person and a face to talk to. Just having those lines of communication is awesome.”
Rahni Jenkins, MA, 2016
“Regent has played an instrumental role in equipping thousands of graduates. We have the power to use the knowledge gained and the credentials earned to serve, to advocate for, and ultimately to bring change and hope to the hurting world around us.”
Cindi Spaulding, Ph.D., 2009 Teacher