The Online PhD in Education

Choosing Between an Education PhD and Doctorate (EdD)

Although both are rigorous, PhD and EdD programs are not quite the same. If you’re interested in teaching on the college level or conducting education research, then an online PhD in education program is the right choice for you. This track focuses more on theoretical concepts and research methods, rather than the nuts and bolts of the education field.

On the other hand, if you’re interested in pursuing an administrative role in education, an online EdD program may be a better fit. This track concentrates more on how education theories are applied in real-world settings. As a result, these programs are the best choice if you aspire to become a school superintendent, instructional coordinator, or school principal.

Discerning Between Schools with Online Education PhDs

If you’re seeking flexibility while still reaping the benefits that a traditional classroom setting can offer, a hybrid or blended education PhD program is an excellent option. In this type of program, you must complete some of your coursework online while attending regular class sessions on campus, providing you with the best of both educational worlds. If you’re able to dedicate yourself to full-time study, you can enroll in one of these programs to complete your degree in about three to four years. If you wish to obtain an education PhD but require a longer period of time due to professional, personal, or financial reasons, a part-time program may be an ideal option for you. These programs offer the same curriculum as full-time alternatives and have the same graduation requirements but provide greater flexibility regarding the time it takes to complete the program. Here are a few schools offering PhD programs in Education to help you begin your search for the right educational path for your needs.

Common Questions About Education PhD Programs

How much does an online PhD in Education degree cost?

The cost of an online PhD in education varies depending on several factors, including the length of the program you select and whether you’re enrolled in a school where you’re eligible for in-state tuition. Although a program’s curriculum is a critical factor to consider when choosing a school, the cost, as well as financial aid opportunities, also play a role in the decision-making process.

How long do online Education PhDs take?

The amount of time it takes to complete an online PhD in education depends on the specific school you enroll in and the nature of the program you choose. While some programs may be completed in a year, other programs will take three years or more. For example, an online education doctoral degree from Liberty University takes three years to finish, Northcentral University students complete their degrees in about four years, and Maryville University programs are about two-years long.

What are some of the admissions requirements for online PhD programs in Education?

Online education PhD programs have high standards for student admissions, so applicants can expect rigorous scrutiny when they apply to the schools they’re interested in. Although each program has its own admissions requirements, generally applicants may be expected to:

• Have at least a 3.0 grade point average
• Have a master’s degree in education
• Submit three letters of recommendation
• Earn a high score on the GRE or TOEFL tests
• Submit a statement of purpose to explain interest in the program and career goals
• Meet with the department to discuss why they’re a good fit for the program
• Submit a resume

What is the difference between a part-time and full-time online Education PhD?

The biggest different in part-time and full-time studies will be the duration of your education. In addition, full-time online courses will require you to take core classes—which may cover topics such as statistics in education research, education and culture, and education policy and reform—as well as coursework related to your chosen concentration. In addition, after you’ve completed your required classwork, you will be expected to complete a dissertation based on original research.

Some part-time PhDs in education allow you to fulfill your dissertation requirements up to eight years after your initial enrollment. Furthermore, there are accelerated education and teaching degrees available should duration be the biggest factor affecting your decision. Do your research and consider your availability to determine which option is best for your needs.

Is financial aid available to online PhD students?

In addition to the benefit of affordability, online PhD programs offer various financial aid options to mitigate the costs of your education even further. Federal financial aid assistance, scholarships, grants, and employer-based tuition assistance programs are all available to students like you. Be sure to apply to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to learn about your options as other sources of financial aid are available to teachers and education majors.

Do you need to complete a dissertation to earn your PhD in Education?

In short, yes; successfully completing and defending a dissertation showcases that you’ve made a valuable contribution to the field with your original research. Furthermore, a PhD dissertation proves that you possess the relevant skills as an education student, are capable of conducting independent research, and are an active candidate helping to generate new knowledge in your field.

Online Education PhD Concentrations

As an individual with particular career aspirations and educational interests, you require an online PhD program that will offer a curriculum aligned with what you wish to learn. Whether you desire to teach a specific age group or subject, or acquire a particular education-related skill, PhD programs provide specializations that enable you to focus your studies on the areas of the field you wish to gain expertise in. The section below explores some of the concentrations available in online education PhD programs.

Curriculum and Instruction

This concentration is for educators who want to affect student outcomes by designing the curriculum that schools use and helping to implement it in the classroom. Students in this program take courses in curriculum mapping, data-driven assessment and instruction, curriculum theory, and curriculum design and development. In addition, this specialization includes coursework on trends in the education field and how a curriculum fits into these changes in the industry.

Educational Technology

This concentration can help you become an expert on the most cutting-edge technologies in the education field. You learn about the computer programs that provide solutions to classroom challenges, strategies for effectively communicating in digital formats, and ways that schools can analyze their technology needs and find the products that will meet them.

Organizational Leadership

The organizational leadership concentration is for those who want to step into executive education positions. The curriculum is designed to train students how to supervise and evaluate the performance of teachers, foster an environment of inclusion in schools, develop an organizational culture that is steeped in ethical values, and navigate complicated bureaucratic systems.

Special Education

If you’re interested in taking a leadership role to serve children with special needs, this concentration is designed to give you expertise on equity in education and advocating on behalf of students with disabilities. To help people develop these skills, programs offer coursework on special education assessments and evaluations, special education administration, and education law. Also, students take courses in administration principles and the ethical standards educators are expected to adhere to when working with students who have special needs.

Instructional Design

If you want to put your education expertise to use in different fields, enrolling in an instructional design concentration will prepare you to apply your skills to any area where training and continuing education are needed. In this specialization, you will take coursework to learn the process involved with instructional design, trends in education technology, qualitative and quantitative instructional design principles, and assessment and evaluation.

Career Pathways for PhD in Education Grads

Those who hold a PhD in Education become strong candidates for some of the highest positions in learning, but you may be wondering what you can do with an education degree or about what kind of roles are out there for professionals like you. Whether you’re interested in the research side of the industry, want to be on the ground working closely with students and educators, or hope to influence the future of teaching, take a look at these career examples available to you upon graduating from your PhD program.

Education Policy Analyst/Lobbyist

These professionals are workers for government agencies and advocacy groups, using their analytical skills to shape the future of education policy. Payscale reports that education policy analysts have an average base salary of $65,126, with the highest earners bringing in around $94,000 per year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) poses political/social scientists and other related workers, the closest roles with data available, having an estimated 3-6% change in employment from 2023-2033.

Principal

Principals are the leaders of schools with younger students, usually grades K-12. According to the BLS, school principals made around $103,460 for the median annual wages of 2023. Around 20,800 positions will open annually for principals over the next decade. Though principals likely need some hands-on training upon hiring, candidates should already have the skills necessary for the role as graduate school and relevant work experience is usually required to become a principal.

Researcher

Education PhD holders often become researchers, examining different factors of education in research institutions, government agencies, or universities. They conduct studies in order to determine solutions and other ways of improving learning for different levels of schooling. Researchers will analyze and collect data, evaluate their findings, and develop programs. They are often in constant communication with others, whether it be gathering data with focus groups, interviewing different members of the education sphere, or consulting and providing guidance to policymakers.

Ranking Today’s Best Online PhDs in Education

It’s critical to ensure that the PhD program you select is worth the effort and cost. To assist you in narrowing your options, we’ve identified the best online PhD in Education programs for this year using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). All are properly accredited, offer flexible scheduling options, and have reasonable tuition costs. Learn more about each program below and determine if any of them have the features you’re seeking.