PhD in Education

Choose a university ranked No. 1 in granting research doctoral degrees in education and doctoral degrees in the education space.1

Earn an elite credential that empowers you to impact education at a higher level. Be a catalyst for positive change in your institution, organization, or community.

In Walden’s PhD in Education program, you can:

  • Join a thriving global collective of scholars and practitioners with diverse roles and viewpoints
  • Choose one of 11 specializations to align your coursework with your professional passion and goals.
  • Select your own research topic to focus on your area of interest—or to contribute new knowledge to a pressing issue in your field.

Fast Facts

Next Start Date: January 8, 2024

Transfer Credits: Up to 43 credits

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Specializations

Gain skills to effectively design, modify, and evaluate curriculum and assessment practices using a systems approach.
Explore the latest research to understand and solve complex family, cultural, societal, and developmental influences that affect child development and learning.
Prepare to conduct continued research on best practices for early intervention and advance in the growing special education field.
Build your leadership and management skills to develop strategies and navigate the education spectrum from preschool through higher education
Learn to create innovative technological solutions to learning challenges and develop instructional design skills.
Deepen your understanding of current practices in higher education institutions and examine law, policy, and governance as a leader within higher education settings
Learn and apply effective leadership and management skills and strategies to facilitate positive social change.
Prepare to help learners translate creativity into innovative learning experiences utilizing authentic, engaging practices and assessments.
Gain skills to create a culture of continuous improvement within programs and organizations.
Impact the future of education as a researcher by customizing your doctoral program of study. Choose courses from a wide array of topics critical to P–20 education.
Explore best practices in reading, literacy, curriculum design and instruction, teacher professional development, and program evaluation and assessment.

Curriculum

Earn Your EdD While Balancing Priorities

In It Together Logo

We now offer additional services to PhD in Education students to help you manage all of your priorities so you can achieve your goals.

Benefit from customized registration, doctoral support podcasts, virtual check-in groups, and accommodating faculty. To support family needs, residencies for this program are held in family-friendly locations such as Orlando and Anaheim, California.

Lifelong Learner Pathway

Save time and money if you decide to switch degree paths. With our Lifelong Learner Pathway, students in the Education Specialist (EdS), Doctor of Education (EdD), and PhD in Education programs take many of the same initial courses, so you can move between programs if the need arises.

Doctoral Degree Coach

Earning your online PhD in Education requires commitment, perseverance, and hard work. You can do it, and Walden is here to help--with our Doctoral Degree Coach.

  • Man at Crossroads

    Map and Track Milestones

    Break your research down into manageable, sequential steps. See where you are, what’s ahead, and what you’ve already accomplished—all in one place.

  • Meet Weekly Targets

    No more guesswork. Set prompts based on your to-do list and receive reminders and updates directly to your inbox.

  • Shaking Hands

    Connect With Faculty

    Stay on the same page and keep your progress on track. With shared access to your dashboard, your chair can easily guide you through your checklists, goals, and timelines.

  • Three Books Lined Up

    Access Helpful Resources

    Quickly find support from the right person at the right time. Our comprehensive resource guide points you in the right direction—no more frustrating searches.

You May Also Be Interested In

Doctor of Education (EdD)

A program designed for educators, administrators, and leaders working in P-12, early childhood, or higher education who want to deepen their impact on the field. Walden’s education community includes 150+ state teachers of the year.

Explore Our Program

Education Specialist (EdS)

Earn your EdS and develop specialized skills that can help you take your career further. Earn an advanced degree at a lower cost than it takes to get a doctoral degree. Make a positive impact on student learning achievement.

Explore Our Program

More about our PhD in Education program

Walden’s online PhD in Education program prepares you with the advanced expertise needed to address pressing issues in education and lead transformative change. Your doctorate can open doors beyond teaching and research careers, with potential roles including:

  • Director of education
  • Research director
  • Associate professor of education
  • Assistant professor of education
  • Adjunct instructor
  • Lecturer

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

A master's degree or higher is required for entrance into this program. You will also be required to submit a completed online application, employment history, and official transcripts.

Your enrollment specialist will help you gather all of the required materials starting with your application all the way through your first day of classes.

 
Walden’s Enrollment Specialists are committed to helping you identify and leverage opportunities to save money on your education. Get in touch with an Enrollment Specialist today at 888-968-5331 to learn more.
Our Enrollment Specialists are ready to answer any questions you may have regarding this program. Fill out the form on this page to be contacted or call 855-203-5779.

Why earn your PhD in Education at Walden?

relevant-curriculum

Learn From the Leader

Walden is No. 1 in education professional doctoral and PhD graduates in the U.S.1

learn-with-leaders-small

Face-to-Face Networking

In-person residencies allow you to gain valuable insights and form lifelong bonds with faculty and peers.

exceptional-student-services

Exceptional Student Support

Benefit from our 24/7 tech support, Writing Center, Career Services Center, and more.

relevant-curriculum

Learn From the Leader

Walden is No. 1 in education professional doctoral and PhD graduates in the U.S.1

learn-with-leaders-small

Face-to-Face Networking

In-person residencies allow you to gain valuable insights and form lifelong bonds with faculty and peers.

exceptional-student-services

Exceptional Student Support

Benefit from our 24/7 tech support, Writing Center, Career Services Center, and more.

Vaughn Bradley

“My dissertation chair, Donna Gee, inspired and challenged me to stay focused. She responded quickly to my concerns and provided me with valuable feedback on my dissertation drafts.”

Vaughn Bradley | PhD in Education Graduate

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) IPEDS database. Based on the most recent year of completions survey data available, using all classifications of instructional programs (CIP) codes. A doctoral research degree is a PhD or other doctoral degree that requires advanced work beyond the master’s level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial scholarly achievement. Available at https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/use-the-data. (Retrieved July 2018; may consist of or include provisional release data.) 

Note on teacher licensure or certification: This program does not lead to teacher licensure or certification. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.

Prospective Alabama students: State authorization to provide a program related to the preparation of teachers or other P–12 school/system personnel does not indicate eligibility for an Alabama professional educator or professional leadership certificate. Applicants who complete an educator preparation program at a non-Alabama institution must apply for an Alabama professional educator or professional leadership certificate through the Alabama Certificate Reciprocity Approach. Current requirements may be found at www.alsde.edu.

ONGOING MILITARY OFFER:

A 15% tuition reduction for servicemembers, veterans of the U.S. armed forces, employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and their spouses.*

*A 15% tuition reduction is available to new students who are servicemembers, veterans of the U.S. armed forces, or employees of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This tuition reduction is also available if you are a spouse of a servicemember, veteran, or employee of the VA. This tuition reduction cannot be retroactively applied. Tuition reductions are applicable to tuition only and do not apply toward books, materials, and other supplies or fees needed for a course.

Walden may change the tuition reduction offered hereunder at any time, but such change will not affect the tuition reduction for students who are currently enrolled at Walden and using the existing tuition reduction. All tuition reductions, grants, or scholarships are subject to specific eligibility requirements. Contact a Walden University Enrollment Specialist for details.