PhD in Education - Walden University

Start date

11/25/2024: Course-Based

Tuition Savings

Speak with an enrollment specialist to learn about our current tuition savings.

HLC Accreditation

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

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 Passionate Community

Walden is the choice of 70,000 education professionals including more than 200 state teachers of the year. Join a thriving global collective of scholars and practitioners with diverse roles and viewpoints.

Tailor the Program to Your Interests

Choose one of 11 specializations to align your coursework with your professional passion and goals, including a self-designed option for Higher Education Leadership and Policy.

Advance the Practice of Education

Select your own research topic to focus on your area of interest—or to contribute new knowledge to a pressing issue in your field. Our Doctoral Degree Coach™ offers personalized guidance and interactive tools to help support your journey from coursework to completion of your doctoral research.

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Academic Interests

Choose your program of interest

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Specializations

Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Evaluation

Higher Education Leadership, Management, and Policy

Research institutions of higher education from a systemic perspective and learn how internal and external systems, politics, and policies impact institutional effectiveness, student learning and development, and the organization’s overall development and impact. Learn and apply effective leadership and management strategies to facilitate positive social change in higher education.

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Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy

Explore the latest research to understand and solve complex family, cultural, societal, and developmental influences that affect child development and learning. You’ll have the opportunity to examine the quality of early childhood programs and policies, research and strategies to promote positive outcomes for young children and understand leadership characteristics to be an advocate in the field.

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Learning, Instruction, and Innovation

Prepare to help learners translate creativity into innovative learning experiences utilizing authentic, engaging practices and assessments. You can become a leader across learning environments that include preschool through higher education, as well as in government, nonprofit, and corporate settings.
Develop learning solutions grounded in principles of brain-based learning.

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Early Childhood Special Education

For educators interested in increasing the effectiveness of early childhood special educators. Informed by the Council for Exceptional Children’s key advanced professional early childhood preparation standards, this specialization’s curriculum enables you to explore research issues, such as leadership and policy, program development and assessment, collaboration, evidence-based practices in early intervention, and ethical practice.

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Organizational Research, Assessment, and Evaluation

Create a culture of continuous improvement within programs and organizations and learn to develop comprehensive assessment plans designed to improve the performance of individuals, programs, and/or institutions. Engage in hands-on experiences and utilize processes for the rigorous research, assessment, and evaluation of complex organizational systems through data gathering and analysis.

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Educational Policy, Leadership, and Management

P–20 Education (Self-Designed)

Educational Technology and Design

Reading, Literacy, Assessment, and Evaluation (Non-Licensure)

Higher Education Leadership and Policy (Self-Designed)

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

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™.

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.

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.

Meet Weekly Targets

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

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 200+ 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 a full doctoral degree. Make a positive impact on student learning and achievement.

Explore Our Program

More about our PhD in Education program

Careers

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

Director of education
Research director
Program chair
Associate professor of education
Assistant professor of education
Adjunct instructor
Lecturer

The degree also prepares you to work in settings such as:

Schools/school districts
Community Colleges/colleges
Universities
Research Institutions

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

Entry Requirements

To be considered for this program, you must have a master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university and meet the general admissions requirements. You will also be required to submit a completed online application, employment history, and official transcripts. Depending on specialization, additional requirements may apply.

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.

Funding Your Education

LIMITED-TIME OFFER

Speak with an enrollment specialist to learn about our current tuition savings.

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.¹

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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.

How to Apply

Ready to further your education?

Build the skills and confidence you need to make an impact in diverse communities with our online PhD in Education program.

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Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, D.C.: National Center for Education Statistics. Includes 2018 data. Retrieved August 2020 using “Completions” survey from https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/login.aspx?gotoReportId=7). 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 or scholarly achievement.

Ongoing military offer:

¹A 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.

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: Program is for professional development only.