If you’re wondering if pursuing one of the cheapest online doctorate in curriculum and instruction programs is worthwhile, think back to your time in school. From preschool through your master’s degree, you went through a path of learning activities, lessons, projects, and instruction. Everything was planned, and while some courses were perhaps better planned than others, everything followed a strategic plan for creating the most effective education.
Your education was influenced, in no small part, by someone trained in curriculum and instruction. Someone, either the teacher, a group of administrators, or an expert in instruction, decided what you should learn, how you should learn it, and how you should demonstrate your knowledge.
You can influence education for the next generation of learners by completing one of the cheapest online doctorate in curriculum and instruction programs.
These challenging, highly-advanced degrees, which come as Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs, create elite experts in curriculum development and student instruction. We have 53 programs from 29 schools that are perfect for online learners. Ranging in price from less than $17,000 to nearly $89,000, these programs come in different types, various structures, and offer various classes.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$40,400
Least Expensive: Valdosta State University ~$16,765
Most Expensive: Andrews University ~$88,608
Our data-driven research creates a reliable scientific ranking for online doctorate in curriculum and instruction programs. There are no fancy formulas; we meticulously calculate total full-time tuition (including any fees) for the most accurate cost estimate. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore showcase the cheapest online doctorate in curriculum and instruction. The online degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official “Best Buys” because they cost less than the national average.
22 Cheapest Online Doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Valdosta State University | (GA) | $16,765.00 | All Students |
2 | University of West Florida | (FL) | $23,076.00 $28,730.00 $23,076.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
3 | Marshall University | (WV) | $25,365.00 | All Students |
4 | University of South Florida | (FL) | $27,224.00 $53,523.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | Texas Tech University | (TX) | $27,703.00 $53,407.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
6 | University of Florida | (FL) | $27,985.00 $35,466.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | (LA) | $30,000.00 | All Students |
8 | Delta State University | (MS) | $30,142.00 | All Students |
9 | Southeastern University | (FL) | $30,330.00 | All Students |
10 | Clemson University | (SC) | $31,017.00 | All Students |
11 | Indiana University Online | (IN) | $31,196.00 $36,927.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
12 | National University | (CA) | $31,200.00 | All Students |
13 | Evangel University | (MO) | $31,490.00 | All Students |
14 | Columbus State University | (GA) | $31,659.00 $77,775.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
15 |  Liberty University | (VA) | $33,724.00 $14,950.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
16 | Carson-Newman University | (TN) | $35,625.00 | All Students |
17 | Southern Wesleyan University | (SC) | $37,200.00 | All Students |
18 | Liberty University | (VA) | $37,543.00 | All Students |
19 | University of Toledo | (OH) | $38,122.00 $38,422.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
20 | SUNY at Albany | (NY) | $38,190.00 $44,112.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
21 | National University | (CA) | $39,000.00 | All Students |
22 | University of Memphis | (TN) | $39,360.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Virginia | (VA) | $44,056.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University - Chicago | (IL) | $45,872.00 | All Students | |
Kansas State University | (KS) | $45,954.00 | All Students | |
National Louis University | (IL) | $49,987.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University - Chicago | (IL) | $50,384.00 | All Students | |
Regent University | (VA) | $55,300.00 | All Students | |
Texas A & M University | (TX) | $56,182.00 $122,906.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Northeastern University | (MA) | $58,140.00 | All Students | |
Regent University | (VA) | $60,750.00 | All Students | |
Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $82,775.00 | All Students | |
Andrews University | (MI) | $88,608.00 | All Students |
Program Note: To qualify for a ranking, the online doctorate in curriculum and instruction must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table. Degrees labeled with superscript 14 indicate that options for this program have changed since publication.
CAEP Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
AAQEP Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation
Rankings Note: These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter/Spring 2023 review of regionally accredited doctorate in curriculum and instruction online programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online doctoral programs in curriculum and instruction in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules. The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online doctorate in curriculum and instruction including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note: Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers a doctorate in curriculum and instruction online that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online doctorate in curriculum and instruction programs may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the cheapest online doctorate in curriculum and instruction programs for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Why Should I Enroll in One of the Cheapest Online Doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction Programs?
These degrees can bring more career options and higher pay while shaping you into one of the top experts in education.
Here are a few reasons why you might enroll in one of these online degrees:
- High pay: By all accounts, someone with a doctorate in curriculum and instruction stands to earn a sizable income. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for instructional coordinators is $63,740, while the top 10% earn over $101,000. In addition, people with doctorates (all fields) have a median weekly salary of $2,083, which means an annual salary around $108,316. (See “Salary and Outlook for Curriculum Experts” below for more information.)
- Become a top expert in your field: After completing a doctorate in curriculum and instruction online, you’ll be one of the top experts in your subject. You’ll be widely regarded as a leading source of information, and you’ll be well respected by others in the education industry.
- Education is always in demand: Other industries may come and go, but education is here to stay. The expected growth for education careers between 2021 and 2031 is 7%, slightly above the expected growth of all occupations at 5%.
What to Expect from an Online Doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction
A doctorate is the highest level of academic achievement. These degrees offer more flexibility along with higher expectations than any other program you’ve completed. You’ll have more academic freedom, allowing you to explore curriculum and instruction with few barriers, but you must also meet an extreme level of expertise on the topic in your courses.
These programs come in two basic types: a doctorate of philosophy (Ph.D.) in education or a doctorate of education (Ed.D.). They may seem like the same thing, but there are important differences. First of all, a Ph.D. requires at least four years to complete. They often require seven or eight years of study. An Ed.D. is faster. These programs usually require only three years.
A Ph.D. in education is broader and generally focuses on theory and research surrounding the topics. In these programs, students will learn to conduct academic research and scholarly probes into curriculum, instruction, and learning. An Ed.D. is more focused on the structure and leadership of schools. An Ed.D. in curriculum will teach you to implement new coursework within an established education system. This is a generalized summary (and all too brief), but these are the main differences between a Ph.D. and an Ed.D.
Throughout these programs, you will complete core classes and, if you have a concentration, specialized courses. You will also need to complete a dissertation, which is one of the main aspects of a doctorate. This feature that separates these advanced degrees from all other programs.
What Is a Dissertation (And Will I Need to Complete One)?
If you enroll in a doctorate in curriculum and instruction online, either a Ph.D. or an Ed.D., you can anticipate a dissertation project. A dissertation is a lengthy, multiyear writing project conducted throughout your program. Each school has its own process, but it generally includes choosing a topic, getting approval, researching the subject, creating a massive paper, and defending the dissertation.
A dissertation has a specific research subject. Potential topics during a doctorate in curriculum and instruction online may include:
- Exploring the effectiveness of mathematics curriculum
- How science curriculum compares to English, math, or literature
- Effective methods for teaching disabled students
- Theories for implementing technology into instruction
Dissertation topics are usually highly specific, taking a keen look at a narrow subject in curriculum and education.
Structure and Coursework in an Online Doctorate in Curriculum
These programs are diverse and wide-ranging. While they share likenesses, no two are the same. To understand the programs better, it helps to look at a few online doctoral programs in curriculum and instruction for examples:
University of West Florida – Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Instruction
Students enrolled in this program can choose from two focus areas: Administration & Leadership Studies or Curriculum & Assessment. Both consist of 27 credit hours in core requirements, as well as a dissertation that encompasses 15 credit hours.
The professional core classes, completed no matter what specialization you choose, include topics like “Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment,” “Philosophical Foundations of Education,” and “Psychological and Social Theories of Education.” In the administration specialization, students complete classes such as “Theories of Administration and Leadership,” and “Strategic Management in Administration.”
The curriculum specialization includes “Contemporary Curriculum Issues and Theories,” “Assessing Curricula and Educational Programs,” and “Curriculum and Instructional Strategies for Adult Learners.”
Delta State University – Doctor of Education in Professional Studies / Curriculum & Instruction
Delta State University in Michigan offers three options for its Ed.D. in Professional Studies, including a Curriculum & Instruction concentration. The program consists of a doctoral core, which encompasses 27 credit hours, as well as a dissertation that counts for at least 12 credit hours.
The content of this program is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in curriculum and instruction. Specifically, the coursework focuses on preschool through 12th grade, although there are also elements of postsecondary education included in this degree. Courses include “Educational Research Design” and “Leadership Theory and Application.”
University of Virginia – Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Instruction
This is a large program that requires as much as 72 credit hours to complete. According to the school, the estimated time to complete is four to seven years. The program encompasses 24 hours in the curriculum and instruction core and at least 18 hours of research methods study. It also requires 12 credit hours in a supporting area of emphasis and a milestone doctoral assessment.
Coursework in this degree includes “Advanced Curriculum Seminar,” “Academic Writing for Practitioner-Scholars,” and “Curriculum and Instruction Capstone Proposal Seminar.”
Accreditation for Doctorates in Curriculum
Accreditation is an important part of the academic system. When you are looking for a doctorate program, it needs to be part of your decision. Accreditation is the process of reviewing and approving academic institutions and their overall success at educating students.
Accreditation occurs at many levels, but the most important are institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation is the process of reviewing and approving entire colleges and universities. It’s completed by regional groups such as the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Individual programs can have what’s known as programmatic accreditation. Through this system, specialized groups review and approve specific programs. For example, a construction management degree may have approval from the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE).
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is the largest programmatic accrediting body in education. Many of the programs in our database have approval from this group. CAEP-accredited programs include:
- Valdosta State University – Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Instruction
- University of Florida – Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Instruction / Educational Technology
- University of Toledo – Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction / Special Education
- Andrews University – Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction
The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) is another accrediting group in education. This newer group currently accredits fewer programs, but it still plays an important role. The Doctor of Philosophy in Education / Curriculum & Teaching from National University is accredited by the AAQEP.
Typical Admission Requirements for Doctorate Programs
The admission standards for a doctorate in curriculum and instruction online will be extremely high. You need a rich academic background, excellent performance in testing and classwork, and support from professional and scholarly contacts.
The basic, universal requirement is a master’s degree. You’ll need an academic background in education or a related subject to enroll in these doctorate programs. You’ll also need to meet specific GPA requirements determined by each school. Many programs require a 3.0 or higher for prospective doctorate students. To prove past grades, you’ll have to submit official transcripts from previous colleges and universities.
Doctorates require more documents than any other degree. You’ll need to submit a statement of purpose, which outlines your motivation for seeking a doctorate in curriculum, as well as multiple letters of recommendation from professional and academic contacts.
The process is lengthy and can be frustrating, as schools meticulously review applicants. However, if you have a strong academic background and the right professional experience, you should find an online doctorate in curriculum that will accept your application.
The Cost of an Online Doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction
After graduating with a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, you can earn one of the top salaries in the job market. But that doesn’t mean you can be reckless with the cost of tuition. No matter your budget, always research the price of these degrees and find the program that works best for you.
The average cost for these programs is $40,400. This cost, however, can be divided between three and eight years, so a per-year price is hard to pinpoint. Remember that most Ed.D. programs require three years. For these degrees, you can divide the total cost by three years to reach a per-year estimate. For example, the Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Assessment from Southern Wesleyan University costs $37,200. This means a per-year cost of about $12,400.
The cheapest online doctorate in curriculum and instruction is from Valdosta State University, which charges $16,765 for its Ed.D. program. Over three years, students are looking at about $5,590 annually.
The most expensive program is the Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction from Andrews University. This degree costs $88,608, making it twice as expensive as the standard rate. However, the average completion time is six years, also twice as long as the average Ed.D. program.
Licensing and Certification for Curriculum Professionals
Many careers require a license, but most of the professions that follow an online doctorate in curriculum and instruction will not. Unlike nurses, lawyers, or electricians, you will not need a state-mandated license or certification to work as an instructional coordinator, training manager, or postsecondary education administrator.
However, voluntary certifications can be useful for these careers, especially if you are seeking employment in the private sector. For example, if you work as an instructional coordinator or training manager, you could become a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) through the Association for Talent Development. Another potential credential is the Certified Developer of Training through the ISIP. Again, these tend to be more useful when seeking employment in the private and non-profit sectors (outside of education) but they will provide useful skills that are beneficial for all careers, including scholarly work and government institutions.
Salary and Career Outlook
After graduating with an online doctorate in curriculum and instruction, you will have the ability to earn a strong salary. Education may not have a reputation as a high-earning industry, but curriculum experts, education leaders, and people with doctorates in general often have lucrative incomes.
First of all, people with a doctorate have high earnings. According to the BLS, people with a doctoral degree in any subject have a median weekly income of $2,083, which translates to over $108,000 per year, assuming a 52-week work year.
Curriculum, instruction, and training experts have strong salaries as well. For example, instructional coordinators have a median salary of $63,740, while the top 10% earn over $101,090. Training and development managers, who often work in the private sector, have a median salary of $120,130, with the top 10% earning over $207,420. School principals have a median salary above $98,000. The median income for postsecondary administrators is nearly the same at almost $97,000.
The career outlook is strong as well. Education jobs are expected to grow by 7%, outpacing the national job growth for all careers, which is expected to be 5%. Overall, graduates of these programs will have high-paying options in a stable, reliable industry.
The Next Step in Your Education
Once you have completed a Ph.D. or Ed.D., you’ll be one of the most educated experts in your field. But there is still more to learn. Many specialists in education and curriculum continue to learn through trade publications, seminars, industry events, and more.
It’s unlikely that your career will require official continuing education credits, but you should stay up-to-date on changes in the industry and innovations in learning and instruction. This may include new ways of delivering online instruction, evolving curriculum to meet modern learning needs, or the best instruction strategies for various demographics and communities.
The bottom line: even after completing online doctoral programs in curriculum and instruction, graduates need to maintain an attitude of learning!
Become an Expert in Curriculum & Instruction
Students need experts in curriculum and instruction. Be a part of their success by creating a curriculum that helps them reach their highest potential. With one of the cheapest online doctorate in curriculum and instruction programs, you’ll be prepared to help countless students in preschool, elementary, high school, and college to thrive and succeed!