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How to Get a PhD in Education

The ultimate achievement in the academic discipline of education is the PhD in Education. A doctoral degree in education signifies mastery of the substance and methods of advanced scholarship. A PhD in Education opens doors to a world of upper-echelon career options: graduates go on to careers as researchers, university professors, and administrative leaders.

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What does it take to reach the top of your profession? Personal initiative, a commitment to professional growth, and--perhaps most importantly--careful planning, will help you lay the foundation for success. A PhD in Education typically takes four to six years to complete. This guide offers a roadmap for the journey, from application to graduation.

The Road Ahead: An Overview of the PhD in Education

The PhD in Education is the top academic credential in the field. Doctoral students in education learn the theory and practice of independent research, and apply those skills to the study of a specific educational problem. In addition, they hone their teaching and leadership skills by serving as undergraduate instructors. The PhD in Education typically leads to an academic research or teaching career as a college professor. Some doctoral programs groom graduates for leadership roles in higher education, K-12, or educational policy institutions.

The PhD in Education is distinct from the Doctor of Education (EdD), the field's professional practice doctorate, in its focus on research and original scholarship. The PhD in Education originated in 1893 at Columbia University's Teachers College, modeled on other social science doctorates at research universities. The EdD, by contrast, emerged in the 1920s to answer the need for highly educated practitioners and administrative leaders. Today, the distinction between the two degrees is fading: many PhD programs emphasize EdD-style applied research and professional practice alongside theoretical scholarship. The legacy of the two degrees is a great diversity in doctorate programs, all of which offer different blends of academic and professional training. Finding the right one for you takes research and a clear insight into your career goals.

To view some available PhD degrees, visit WorldWideLearn's guides to Campus Doctorate Degree Programs and Online PhD Degree Programs.

How to Apply for PhD Programs in Education

There are literally hundreds of PhD programs in education, representing myriad specializations, online and campus formats, educational resources, and more. U.S. News & World Report ranks a full 278 graduate schools with programs in education. With this kind of selection, it's hard not to be overwhelmed. Which doctoral degree is right for you?

How to Choose a Program

To find the right doctoral program in education, you'll need to undertake a comprehensive fact-finding mission. Take this process step by step: first, survey your options and create a list of possible schools; second, assess your priorities and narrow down your list; third, vet your shortlist by weighing a broad set of criteria.

Step 1: Survey the Field

Goal. Begin by compiling a comprehensive list of online and campus PhD in Education options that meet your baseline requirements. Directories and online databases can help you get a lay of the land.

Must-Have Features in a PhD Program in Education. Focusing on these fundamentals will help you determine what non-negotiable features your PhD program must have.

Accreditation. The basic measure of any higher education institution's academic quality is its accreditation status. Accreditors are nationally recognized private agencies that evaluate and certify a program's academic rigor. Accreditation ensures the value of your degree, and can affect your eligibility for federal financial aid. In short, accreditation is a must-have requirement for any PhD program in education.

Educational Format: Online or Campus? Higher education has taken full advantage of digital media, making courses and degree programs available online as well as on campus. Graduate education programs may offer fully online doctoral degrees, full-time campus degrees, or a hybrid of distance and on-site coursework.

The right format for you will depend on your career goals and life circumstances.

Academic-track careers in education often benefit from a campus format, since the program emphasizes faculty mentorship, undergraduate teaching, and research. While these activities can be a feature of online programs as well, a campus experience offers direct access to resources such as archival collections, as well as face-to-face interaction with research subjects and faculty advisors. You can also take advantage of teaching fellowships and lecture opportunities to build your CV for the academic job market.

Professional-track students may be better served with an online program, which is more likely to support applied research projects carried out in a work environment. Online PhD programs in education tend to favor pre-professional work, drawing on the direct expertise of a student base made up largely of mid-career professionals. This feature also makes online programs an ideal venue for professional networking.

Life balance is vital to your success. If you are an adult with work and family responsibilities, an online PhD in Education offers the necessary flexibility to manage your priorities. Look for a program with hybrid or short-term residency options, or opt for a fully online PhD program.

Location. If you've decided on a campus or hybrid format, the school's location is a crucial factor. In addition to the doctoral programs in your geographic area, consider relocating so that you may reach your career goals.

Resources. The following resources can help you begin your search:

The U.S. Department of Education maintains an online database of accredited programs. You can also learn more about accreditation at WorldWideLearn.com.

Internet research. Online directory sites such as WorldWideLearn.com offer access to school information at your fingertips. Search a database of accredited doctoral programs to find online PhD programs in education or campus education options. WorldWideLearn also allows you to search by location.

Books and Resource Guides. WorldWideLearn's downloadable guide to college education, The Insider's College Guide for Working Adults, can walk you through the college research and application process.

U.S. News & World Report offers an A-Z directory of graduate programs in education. This list of over 250 programs offers an effective overview of available options and the differences among them.

Step 2: Create a Shortlist of PhD Programs in Education

Goal. Assess your priorities and use these criteria to narrow down your list. It's crucial at this stage to spend time researching the features of individual programs. You'll weigh the programs' relative merits in the final step; at this point, focus on finding a match between your area of interest and available program specializations and resources.

Priorities: Academic or Pre-Professional? Insight into your career goals can help you decide whether to pursue a traditional academic research PhD or the broader professional doctorate. The traditional academic PhD in Education may serve you well if you have your sights set on a research or teaching career at a research university. If your career goals include educational leadership or policymaking, however, look for a PhD curriculum that emphasizes professional practice alongside theory.

Areas of Specialization. Developing a sense of where your academic interests lie will help you focus your search for a doctoral program. Many doctoral program specializations focus on a particular function in education administration, such as:

Assessment & Evaluation
Curriculum Development
Educational Technology
Educational Psychology
Educational Policy
Language and Literacy Education

Some specializations focus on a particular type or level of education, including:

Adult Education
Special Education
Higher Education
K-12 Educational Leadership
Early Childhood Education
Multicultural Education

You'll find that each doctoral program offers its own take on these standard areas of specialization. The exact name of the program offers an indication of the program's emphasis. For example, a program in 'Second Language Acquisition' is likely to emphasize theory and original research, while a program in 'Language and Literacy Education' promises to focus on applied methods of teaching literacy.

Faculty. Faculty mentorship is a key feature of doctoral study. Gathering information about faculty research can help narrow your search by directing you to potential mentors with common academic interests and values.

Resources. These resources can help you narrow down your search for the program that's fright for you:

Internet Research. WorldWideLearn powers your search by highlighting programs that meet your criteria. You can search the site for information on degrees by subject, which links to programs based on the area of specialization you choose. Or you can explore career options and let the site point you to doctoral programs with the appropriate curriculum emphasis for the job.
Collect Information About Schools. Gathering information about individual programs is a time-consuming but important step in focusing your search. WorldWideLearn.com streamlines the process by allowing you to submit a general request for information to the schools in which you're most interested. Simply fill out a form, and the system will match you with schools that meet your specifications.
School Websites. Explore individual program specializations further by visiting the program's website. Many graduate schools of education offer downloadable handbooks detailing program concentrations and faculty information. You'll find information about course requirements as well as a list of faculty research areas, publications, and industry experience.
Admissions Counselors. Admissions counselors can help you find the program specialization that best meets your needs. [[Set aside in a text box? Enrollment advisor Charmayne Avant, who represents Walden University, explains: "After the initial contact I tell them a lot more about the university, the programs that are offered. I match what we offer to what their needs are, and make sure that what we offer from an educational standpoint is best for that student." Her colleague Gayle Hawkins agrees: "That's my job: to listen, find out what their goals are, and put them in the best position."]] WorldWideLearn allows you to submit your contact information directly to the PhD admissions departments of your choice. Save time by having the school's representatives contact you directly by phone or email.
Academic Community. Academic departments and professional associations offer various resources for exploring scholarship and networking with faculty, researchers, and industry professionals. Get to know your academic community by attending conferences, subscribing to journal publications in your field, and joining professional organizations.

Step 3: Zero in on the Right Online or Campus PhD Program

Goal. In this final stage, you'll weigh the relative merits of programs that meet your specifications and zero in on the best choices for you.

Criteria. Once you've discovered a list of programs that meet your absolute requirements and career ambitions, take time to weigh their relative merits and develop a final list. Even among schools with similar philosophies, formats, and curricula, you'll find vast differences in the quality of the experience.

The following criteria can help you evaluate the relative merits of the programs you've chosen to focus on.

Program History. When was the PhD program established? What traditions or associations does the school promote?
Graduation and Placement Rate. What percentage of students graduate? How do they fare on the academic or professional job market? Does the school offer a career placement program? Does it maintain strong ties with industry professionals?
Reputation. How does the program fare in graduate school rankings? How selective is the admissions policy?
Facilities. What sort of research facilities and technology does the school offer? Evaluate the availability of libraries, databases, statistical or educational software, teaching and research subject facilities, and other resources.
Funding. What funding options--grants, loans, scholarships, teaching stipends, and other financial aid--does the school make available? Assess the total cost of your educational investment, taking into account tuition, cost of living, and the number of credits required to complete the degree.

Resources. Take advantage of all of the resources you have available to you--there's no excuse for not doing your homework, especially at this crucial stage.

Admissions Counselors can help you evaluate programs based on criteria such as the availability of financial aid and support services such as career placement. You can also discuss factors particular to your application, such as transfer credits and any prerequisite requirements.
U.S. News & World Report offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date rankings of graduate programs in education. The impartial evaluation takes into account reputation, selectivity, and other indications of academic quality. The online report also offers a tuition cost comparison feature.
Visiting school campuses can give you an inside glimpse into the PhD program experience. You can arrange to sit in on graduate courses, talk to professors and graduate students, and tour the campus facilities. A campus visit can also be valuable for students considering an online PhD in Education, since it allows you to establish a face-to-face rapport with faculty and administrative staff.
WorldWideLearn offers guidance via its Education Advisor resource, including an interactive Ask the Professor feature. You can even submit a request to be contacted directly by representatives of your top PhD in Education programs and get information about the program's support services, placement rates, program statistics, funding, and more. Find general graduate education funding information, covering everything from scholarships to student loans, and research other financial aid resources.

How to Apply to a PhD Program in Education

Once you've set your sights on the right PhD programs, you're ready to prepare yourself for the application process. Most PhD programs in education require the following:

Prerequisite Courses and Degrees. Education doctoral programs typically require a minimum bachelor's degree with coursework in a related field. Some programs are designed for students who have already completed a master's degree in the field. Online courses offer a convenient way to fill in any gaps in prerequisites for the PhD in Education.
Requirements for your top choice program. The most selective doctoral programs on your list may take into account additional qualifications for graduate study, including professional work experience, publications, and research experience.
Qualifying exams. Many education PhD programs require the GRE qualifying exams. International students may also need to pass the TOEFL to indicate English-speaking proficiency. Learn more about these qualifying exams and what you can do to prepare for them.
Faculty recommendations. Application requirements often call for faculty and/or professional recommendations to attest to your ability to complete doctoral work.

By planning early, you increase your chances of admission to the top PhD programs on your list.

Aiming for a Career in Education

A clear vision of your career future can help you build a solid foundation for success now. The application process challenges you to focus your ambitions. Take advantage of your research into graduate programs to shape a career path that can take you where you want to go. Students come to the PhD in Education driven by diverse goals, including:

Professional advancement. A PhD in Education qualifies you for high-growth careers in higher education, such as online teaching and administrative leadership
Passion for learning. An education doctorate affords opportunity to complete original research under the mentorship of the field's leading scholars

Discover your own career destiny through WorldWideLearn's Career Pathways resource, where you'll find career assessment help, a guide to the academic field of education, and career planning tools.

Wherever your career path takes you, you're sure to share the reward all doctoral graduates share: a profound sense of accomplishment at having reached the pinnacle of education as an academic discipline.

Sources

George Mason University Graduate School of Education, PhD in Education
Inside Higher Ed., Envisioning a New Ed.D., by Elizabeth Redden
Northern Illinois University College of Education, Ed.D. Versus Ph.D.: What's the Difference?
School of Education: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ph.D. in Education Handbook
UC Berkeley Graduate School of Education, 2008-2009 Guide to Graduate Studies
U.S.Department of Education: Office of Postsecondary Education, Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
U.S. News & World Report, Best Education Schools
Walden University, Enrollment Advisors Help You Make Informed Decisions
Walden University, PhD in Education