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Pursue an online PhD in education at Regent University.

Ph.D. in Education

Pursue Your Purpose Through Regent’s Online Ph.D. in Education

If you’re ready to take the next big step in your career and pursue your doctoral degree in education, we offer exciting, research-related concentrations that will open up a new world of opportunities for you. Regent’s Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education is a terminal degree for those seeking a career in academia or research at the university level. Similar to the Ed.D., the Ph.D. track is more research intensive with extra courses offering a greater analytical approach to learning. During this time, you’ll prepare to pass a comprehensive candidacy examination to show technical competence in your field of study, and present and defend your dissertation before a dissertation committee.

Online
75+
January 13, 2025

INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL

Capitalize on a higher salary with your doctoral degree in education.

EXPAND YOUR CAREER PATH

Take your career to the next level with exciting leadership opportunities.

MAKE AN IMPACT

Present ground-breaking research to improve the world of education.

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE

Regent has been ranked among top national universities by the U.S. News & World Report for two consecutive years (2019 & 2020). Our programs have also been ranked by it among the Top 5 Best Online Graduate Education Programs in Virginia for seven years in a row. Experience the Regent difference through the Ph.D. in Education program.

Presented from a Christian worldview, this specialty degree is supported by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach.

Regent University ranked #2 of Top 25 Accredited Online PhD & Doctoral Degree Programs | Learn.org, 2020
Best Online Master's Education - AC Online - 2018-19
Top 50 Most Affordable Online Doctorate in Education Programs, 2019 | Affordable Schools
Best Online PHD - AC Online - 2018-19

On completing the doctoral program in education, you will be able to:

  • Lead change through strategic and innovative approaches.
  • Understand how key theories inform planning, administration, policy and professional practice.
  • Use theoretical and inquiry-based methods to identify weaknesses and solve problems.
  • Conduct original research and publish findings in refereed conferences, journals and books.

Career Opportunities

  • University faculty
  • Superintendent
  • School administrator
  • Principal researcher
$90Thousand
Mean annual wage for postsecondary teachers U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education – Adult Education program prepares you for leadership connected to the education of adults and a career in academia. Examine theories and methods of teaching and learning that will better equip you to deliver results-based programs.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education – Advanced Educational Leadership program is designed for students who wish to advance their careers as educational leaders. You'll research topics including strategic planning, program evaluation, and implementing institutional change, while gaining the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective leader.

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Regent's Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education – Character Education, grounded in facets of responsible behavior and Christian values, prepares you for a career in academia and for other educational leadership positions. It extends the recognized work of the National Character Education Clearinghouse established at Regent University by the U.S. Department of Education.

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Regent's Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education – Christian Education Leadership program emphasizes teaching for discipleship by equipping for competence in the Great Commission, Two Greatest Commandments and Holy Nation Citizenship, all within an excellent academic setting. This research-focused concentration will equip you to teach and administer in Christian academia.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education – Curriculum & Instruction is built on sound theory using current research so you can make a significant difference in the world of education. The program will prepare you for a career in academia and to guide innovative curriculum and instruction initiatives.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education – Educational Psychology allows for a broad area of academic inquiry with topics like psychological underpinnings of learning, cognitive strategies for learning in children and adults, brain research, teacher education, and faculty roles. It will prepare you to use and develop current theories to improve academic and behavioral success.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education – Educational Technology & Online Learning will prepare you for a career in academia. It examines the principles of curriculum, instruction, assessment and evaluation, and how they can be applied to an online education setting.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education – Exceptional Education Executive Leadership provides an executive-level insight on championing, leading and developing innovative programs and policies. The program focuses on a more inclusive approach to supporting exceptional learners by broadening the reach to populations who need it most.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education – Higher Education program will prepare you for a career in academia. It will provide a deeper understanding of college administration as you explore how key theories inform planning, administration, policy and professional practice.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education – Higher Learning Leadership & Management is designed for students who have a passion for improving the quality of higher education, and enjoy the responsibilities of leadership and management. The program will prepare you for a career in academia and to hold positions of significant administrative leadership.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education – K-12 School Leadership is designed for students who have a passion for improving the quality of K-12 education and will prepare you for a career in academia. It courses are organized around the six Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) standards and the endorsement competencies for Administration & Supervision Pre-K-12 as issued by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education – Special Education prepares special education teachers and administrators to advance in special education research, practice and policy. The program is ideal for professionals seeking a career as a university faculty member or senior educational administrator.

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2020-2021 Semester Check-In Deadlines:

All new students are expected to check-in for the semester 2 weeks prior to the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

Session

Semester Check-In

Session Start Date

Session A

Friday, August 14

Monday, August 24

Session M

Friday, September 11

Monday, September 21

Session B

Friday, October 16

Monday, October 26

Session C

Tuesday, January 5

Monday, January 11

Session T

Friday, January 29

Monday, February 8

Session D

Friday, March 5

Monday, March 15

Session E

Friday, April 30

Monday, May 10

Session F

Friday, June 11

Monday, June 21

Application Process – Doctoral Programs (Ph.D.)

Step 1: Application
Submit your application using our Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Application Fee
Pay the $50 nonrefundable application fee by check or money order mailed to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.

Fee Waiver: Attend a graduate School of Education on-campus or online information session to learn how to streamline your application process, discover financial aid resources and waive your $50 application fee.

Step 3: Graduate Program Academic Paper
Please submit a scholarly or published writing sample that demonstrates your research, writing, analytical and problem-solving skills. This writing sample may include either a copy of your master’s thesis (or a portion of it, plus biography), or a formal paper or report. Research skills mean both the skill to utilize a writing style manual (e.g., APA) and the skill of integrating published research into an academic paper or report. Email to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SOE Doctoral Application Pieces or fax to 757.352.4725.

Step 4: Submit your Unofficial College Transcripts
We are able to examine and view your unofficial transcripts from U.S.-based schools, which indicate successful completion of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, in order to review you for an admissions decision. Please submit your unofficial transcript to our Admissions Office by email to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SOE Doctoral Application Pieces.

Non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company. For further details, please review the International Admissions Checklist on the International Students Admissions page.

International Applicants: Please visit the International Students Admissions page for a more detailed explanation of the Regent University application information and to determine whether or not you qualify as an international student.

*Upon conditional acceptance to the program by review of unofficial transcripts, Regent University’s Admissions Office will attempt to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institutions, which indicate successful completion of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. We will notify you if your previous institutions will not release transcripts directly to us.

Step 5: Complete Your Admissions Questionnaire
Please complete a brief admissions questionnaire based on your professional goals and interests. This should only take a few minutes to complete, but please answer the questions completely and thoughtfully. This gives us a better opportunity to get to know you and align your objectives with our programs. The admissions questionnaire can be found here. Once completed, it will be sent directly to an admissions counselor who will be in touch with you right away to help complete the rest of your application.

Step 6: Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please email a scanned copy or photograph of it to apply@regent.edu with the subject line: Government ID.

Step 7: Admissions Interview
If an interview is necessary, the admissions office will contact you to schedule an appointment. The interview can be conducted on campus or over the phone and typically takes about an hour.


Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

2019-20 Tuition Rates

Degree Level / ProgramCost Per Credit Hour

Ed.S., Ed.D., & Ph.D.

$775 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state)


University Services Fee (Online Students)$550
Library Orientation$50 (one-time fee)
Blackboard Orientation$50 (one-time fee)

2020-21 Tuition Rates

Degree Level / ProgramCost Per Credit Hour

Ed.S., Ed.D., & Ph.D.

$775 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state)


University Services Fee (Online Students)$600
Library Orientation$50 (one-time fee)
Blackboard Orientation$50 (one-time fee)

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Estimated Cost of Attendance: View the estimated cost of attendance to see an example of the total cost of tuition and fees.

Ph.D. Requirements

A Ph.D. student will (a) complete 21 hours associated with the Ed.D. core curriculum, (b) complete 24-26 hours associated with an Ed.D. concentration, (c) complete an additional 9 hours of research related credit, and (d) complete 15 hours of dissertation research credit—the total program is 75-77 hours. The candidacy examination will be administered during the final semester of coursework. A candidate for the Ph.D. degree must present an acceptable research-based dissertation. The dissertation demonstrates that the candidate has technical competence in the field and has done research of an independent character. It must add to or modify what was previously known in the candidate’s field of interest, or present a significant interpretation of the subject based upon original investigation and research.

Research Related Credit:

Ph.D. students are required to take the following courses:

EDCO 801 Strategic Planning & Program Evaluation (3 credits)

EDCO 802 Analysis of Variance (1 credit)

EDCO 803 Regression & Correlation (1 credit)

EDCO 804 Structure & Reliability Analysis (1 credit)

EHEA 805 Advanced Research Design and Analysis (3 credits)

“I was eager to fulfill a lifelong dream and make a career change to education. Regent's Career Switcher program allowed me to complete most of the training while still on active duty. I was hired immediately upon my retirement from the Air Force. Now a high school teacher, I can say without a doubt that the Career Switcher program set me up for success.”

Joe Sexton, M.Ed., 2012 Career Switcher

“A great teacher learns how to love and care for the students. At Regent this isn't only taught as our responsibility to others but it is modeled. The Godly and caring instructors seek to grow leaders with a Christian worldview and a heart to serve others.”

Wilbur Chapman, M.Ed., 2011 TESOL

“After nearly 25 years in the military and in business, Regent's Career Switcher program inspired me and prepared me to become a classroom teacher and an educational leader. I lean on what I learned there often.”

Pat McCarty, M.Ed., 2009 Career Switcher

“A Regent education will open up doors for you. It certainly has for me.”

Roxie Godfrey, Ed.D., 2005 2009 Virginia Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year

“My career has evolved over a short period of time because of my faith and the teacher preparation programs at Regent. The academic, spiritual and leadership guidance shared during my time at Regent gave me the foundation needed to excel in my field.”

Chonita Walker, M.Ed., 2011 Reading Specialist