Doctoral degrees in Education

High-Impact Education at an R1 Institution. The Ph.D. program in Education prepares you at an advanced level to work in higher education and school/agency leadership roles. 

Program Objectives

The Ph.D. in Education prepares you at an advanced level to work in the professorial ranks of higher education or assume positions of leadership in schools and agencies. The degree provides rich preparation by exposing you to a wide variety of courses and experiences related to fundamental theories and concepts associated with education, as well as current issues and trends in teaching and learning. Strengths of the program lie in the opportunity for you to be exposed to a variety of courses and to faculty members in the College of Education and the University, while having a defined area of emphasis for your study. The graduate program in education leads to both a broad and a deep scholarly knowledge of education, with an emphasis on the production of new knowledge within the profession.

Ph.D. Degrees

Ph.D. in Education: Counselor Education and Supervision

This area of emphasis is an excellent fit for individuals who wish to pursue counselor education and counseling leadership positions, excelling in research, writing, teaching, service, securing external funding, assuming professional leadership roles in the counseling field, and providing clinical supervision.

Counselor Education and Supervision

Ph.D. in Education: Curriculum and Instruction

This emphasis area is for students interested in developing expertise in teaching and teacher education, curricular development and implementation, subject specific areas (e.g., English, social studies, science, mathematics, and other areas), and/or issues in pre-K through college education.

Ed.D. or Ph.D. in Education: Educational Leadership

This area of emphasis focuses on advanced leadership preparation as it applies to K-12 or to higher education settings. The Ph.D. prepares students for leadership or teaching at the college level or for roles in policy analysis and research. The Ed.D. option is available in this area of concentration for practicing professionals in K-12.

Educational Leadership

Ph.D. in Education: Equity, Diversity, and Language Education

This program allows educators and those in related fields to enhance their knowledge, skills, and dispositions to work more effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Equity, Diversity, and Language Education

Ph.D. in Education: Human Development and Family Science

The Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science provides students with a strong foundation in developmental, interpersonal, and family theories, in-depth research skills and expertise, and builds in-depth knowledge in a content area chosen by the student in consultation with their advisor.

Human Development and Family Science

Ph.D. in Education: Information Technology in Education

This emphasis area provides advanced training for educators or prospective educators a strong theoretical and practical foundation in dynamic instructional design, and concurrent knowledge and skills to integrate contemporary digital technology in a variety of educational and training settings.

Information Technology in Education

Ph.D. in Education: Literacy Studies

Literacy instruction and its intersection with English language learning and issues of culture and diversity are the foci of this emphasis area.

Literacy Studies

Ph.D. in Education: Special Education and Disability Studies

Study in this area of emphasis on issues of disability as they apply to education and human service agencies. Students may focus broadly across disability areas and age ranges, or they may focus more narrowly. Courses are available in the categorical areas of learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, autism, intellectual disabilities and severe multiple disabilities, and early childhood special education. Cross-categorical courses are also offered, as well as special topics courses related to key contemporary issues in special education.

Special Education and Disability Studies

Ph.D. in Education: STEM Education

This emphasis area explores the effective teaching of math and science, as well as applications of various technologies in these fields and their impact on society.  Students may focus on math or science education specifically, but will have a broad exposure to the MSTS area.

STEM Education

Admission Deadlines

Applications and all associated documents must be received by the following dates to be considered. Fall Semester: March 31 | Spring Semester: Nov. 15. Students wishing to apply for a graduate assistantship for the Fall semester must apply for the Ph.D. program and the college graduate assistantship by Feb. 1

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Program Handbook
Course Listings

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The College of Education & Human Development has a limited number of Graduate Assistantships for full-time students admitted to masters or doctoral programs. 

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World-Class Education and Human Development

The College is a recognized leader in guiding, shaping, and mentoring high-performing education professionals who will go forth with a lifelong love of learning and with the skills essential for thriving in a global, knowledge-based economy. The U.S. News and World Report ranks the College of Education and Human Development's graduate programs top 100 in the nation. The online graduate programs are ranked 88th in the nation.