Western Education's PhD | Field of Curriculum Studies

The PhD program in the field of Curriculum Studies challenges you to engage with foundational theories and focused areas of educational research. As you develop expertise in a specific field, you will contribute to existing bodies of knowledge and extend the reach of research to influence theory, policy, and practice.

Become a valued expert

Possibilities to go to conferences

Extend the reach of research

11 million library items

What I like about my PhD program is the sense of community and companionship that are quickly established. The passion that each PhD candidate exudes for their work is nothing short of inspiring.

My PhD degree program helped me engage with the world in a more critical and nuanced capacity, and as an instructor for BEd students, this has also equipped me with more practical means to engage with my students and future educators.

- Kenan Omercajic, Current Student

Beyond the program details

Admissions

Tuition

Funding

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Program information

Description

Milestones

Comprehensive Examination

Thesis Proposal and Presentation

Within six months following successful completion of the comprehensive examinations, a student must make an oral presentation to their Thesis Advisory Committee, then submit a written research proposal in which the research problem, theoretical framework and methodology are explained and satisfactorily defended. The presentation will be open to all members of graduate faculty and to all graduate students. To schedule a Proposal Presentation a student should work with their Supervisor to set a date and time then please inform the Graduate Programs Office for public announcement.

Thesis Examination/Defence

When the thesis has been completed and approved by the Supervisor and the Thesis Advisory Committee, the candidate may submit the thesis for examination. The candidate submits the Application for Thesis Examination and the Doctoral Thesis Supervisor Approval forms to the Graduate Programs Office. The forms have to be submitted a minimum of seven weeks prior to the defence date. The thesis is uploaded to Scholarship@Western, Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository, a minimum of six weeks prior to the defence date.

The examination includes a Public Lecture which provides both a valuable means of disseminating research findings within the academic community, and an opportunity for all graduate students of education to participate in and contribute to the scholarly discourse of the university. In accordance with the appropriate regulations, the public lecture will be advertised in the University's Western News and on the University's web site, and be open to all members of the community. The examination normally follows within 24 hours of the lecture.

Details of the examination process are located in Section 8 of Graduate Regulations

Timing/Delivery

August 2025

Term	Course/milestone
Fall Year 1	9715 - PhD Seminar and 2 elective courses, which may include: Strongly recommended: 9580 (this course is the prerequisite for one of the mandatory courses, 9730 - Advanced Topics in Curriculum)
Winter Year 1	9715 - PhD Seminar (continued from Fall), 9730 - Advanced Topics in Curriculum (must have completed 9580) and 1 elective which may include: Strongly recommended: graduate level research course, such as, 9705 - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods and/or 9711 - Qualitative Research in Education
Summer Year 1	Completion, submission and review of Comprehensive Examination
Fall Year 2	PhD oral Thesis Proposal Presentation, followed by written Proposal submission and ethics approval, if applicable
Winter Year 2	PhD oral Thesis Proposal Presentation, followed by written Proposal submission and ethics approval, if applicable
Summer Year 2	Thesis
Fall Year 3	Thesis
Winter Year 3	Thesis
Summer Year 3	Thesis
Fall Year 4	Thesis
Winter Year 4	Thesis
Summer Year 4	PhD Thesis examination/defense

Courses

Curriculum Studies students may focus in one or more of the following:

Early Childhood Education
Multiliteracies
Mathematics Education
Curriculum and Pedagogy

PhD students in the area of Curriculum Studies will be required to complete:

Note: In lieu of the recommended courses, up to two electives inside or outside the ARC can be taken with the approval of the student's supervisor. Students may also have the option to enroll in an Independent Reading and Research Course as an elective.