Best Doctorate in Education Degree Programs of 2023

George Mason University offers a Doctorate in Education that is fully customizable. Students learn from a foundational curriculum that focuses on building expertise in a broad professional specialization while developing skills in the student's chosen area of research focus. Specialization options include Early Childhood Education, Educational Psychology, and Special Education, among others. By placing students at the helm of their education, George Mason University empowers the students in its doctorate program to pursue their unique learning goals.

To be considered for admission, applicants must submit an online application and all relevant transcripts. Additional application requirements include a resume or curriculum vitae, a personal statement detailing the student's goals, GRE scores, and three letters of recommendation.

Students earning a Doctorate in Education from the University of California, Berkeley, benefit from a comprehensive education and supportive learning environment. For the first two years, students learn about current issues in education, human development, theories of learning, inequality, educational policy, and research methods. In their third and fourth years, students develop greater expertise in their research specialties with the help of their faculty advisors. UC Berkeley offers a wide range of specialization options in categories like Critical Studies of Race, Class, and Gender; Learning Sciences and Human Development; and Social Research Methodologies; to name a few.

To apply, prospective students must submit an online application and all relevant transcripts. Additional application requirements include two essays (a statement of purpose and personal history), a GPA worksheet, three letters of recommendation, and a resume or curriculum vitae.

Students earning a Doctorate in Education from the University of California, San Diego, benefit from an innovative curriculum that promotes equity and social justice. With a focus on addressing current problems in education, students develop a skill set keen on problem immersion, solution design, and collaborative inquiry. In their fourth and fifth years, students conduct research in an area of their choosing under the guidance of UC San Diego's renowned faculty. Faculty address topics through quantitative and qualitative methods of research as well as mixed methods research approaches.

To apply, prospective students must submit an online application, unofficial transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. Additional application requirements include a statement of purpose, a writing sample, a professional resume, and GRE scores.

The University of Washington Seattle offers three different programs of study for students who want to earn their Doctorate in Education: Educational Policy, Organizations, and Leadership; Leadership in Higher Education; and Social & Cultural Foundations. Each program allows students to pursue field-based internships with community-based organizations and campus-based departments and programs. By placing students in the center of their chosen program of study, UW Seattle provides a unique opportunity for hands-on learning while students earn their doctorates. With an eye to the future, this program also prepares its students for the technological needs of education delivery models by teaching skills unique to current technological systems and trends.

To be considered for admission, interested students must submit an online application and transcripts reflecting a minimum GPA of 3.0 on the last 90 quarter (60 semesters) credits. Additional application requirements include a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, a current resume or curriculum vitae, and a writing sample. GRE scores are not required.

Students earning a Doctorate in Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign can pursue their degree in one of four different departments: Curriculum & Instruction; Educational Policy, Organization & Leadership; Educational Psychology; and Special Education. Each department offers a wide variety of specialization options that can be completed on either a part- or full-time basis in hybrid, online, or in-person formats - this flexibility to learning method is what makes this school a great option for those seeking a flexible learning environment. Upon admission, each student is assigned to an academic advisor that will help them plan their program of study. This ensures that each student can meet their learning goals and general degree requirements while pursuing the program that best suits their educational needs.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign recommends that prospective students select a program and a specialization before applying. To be considered for admission, applicants must submit transcripts with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, three letters of recommendation, a resume or curriculum vitae, and a personal statement.

The University of California, Los Angeles, offers a Doctorate in Education degree program focused on designing transformational education experiences and advancing culture. Students can choose from five different concentrations to earn their degree, including Higher Education & Organizational Change, Human Development & Psychology, Social Research Methodology, Social Sciences & Comparative Education, and Urban Schooling. Each concentration centralizes UCLA's mission to help humankind thrive by uplifting knowledge and empowering truth.

All coursework is taught by members of UCLA's diverse, internationally renowned faculty. Each instructor carries a reputation for excellence and commitment to addressing the most pressing issues in education today.

To apply, students must submit an online application and declare their Academic Program, Academic Division, and Education Emphasis. Additional application requirements include relevant transcripts, a personal statement, a statement of purpose, a current resume, and three letters of recommendation. GRE scores are not required.

The University of Virginia offers a versatile Doctorate in Education degree program. Graduates often pursue successful careers in a variety of settings - including K-12 education, nonprofits, policy organizations, or higher education. Students learn personal and professional practices for transformational learning to become leaders in education and agents of change. With three different options for concentrations - Administration & Supervision, Curriculum & Instruction, and Higher Education Administration - students can pursue a program that aligns with their interests and learning goals.

To apply, students must submit an online application and all relevant transcripts. Additional application requirements include GRE scores, a goal statement, and two letters of recommendation.

The University of Central Florida's Doctorate in Education is a research-oriented program that prepares students for professoriate positions or seats in school districts, businesses, and educational agencies. The interdisciplinary curriculum allows for flexibility, with many students working in research clusters and learning communities with faculty. Students study a core curriculum containing courses in research, education, and statistics before branching out to take classes specific to their concentration. Options for concentrations are expansive and include studies on Early Childhood, Higher Education, Counselor Education, and Exercise Physiology, among others.

UCF encourages prospective students to meet with an admissions counselor to review the application process and go over any additional materials before they apply. To apply, students must submit an online application and official transcripts alongside GRE scores.

The University of Missouri - St. Louis offers an accelerated and economical Doctorate in Education. With a projected completion rate of 3 to 3.5 years and at $515 per credit hour, many students can complete their Doctorate requirements faster and at an affordable price. UMSL admits a cohort of students each fall who work together as a team to investigate a high-impact Problem of Practice (PoP). Past PoPs include "STEM Education Enhancement," "Social Justice in Education," and "Leadership in Educational Practice." This unique curriculum emphasizes collaboration, community, and strategies for solving real-world challenges.

UMSL encourages students to connect with their relevant student support specialists to review the application process in detail. The GRE is not required.

Oregon State University provides a flexible, customizable Doctorate in Education program that welcomes both part- and full-time students. Classes are held face-to-face at the Corvallis campus, with cohorts beginning each fall. Students learn diverse theoretical perspectives and the history of community engagement and policy work at every level of education from renowned faculty who are experts in their field.

Students are encouraged to pursue their interests while attending OSU under the guidance of faculty advisors and can choose from three concentrations to complete degree requirements: Agricultural Education; Science/Mathematics Education; and Language, Equity, & Educational Policy.

To be considered for admission, prospective students must have a master's degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher and significant work experience in an educational setting. Additional application requirements include a current resume or curriculum vitae, a writing sample, three letters of recommendation, and all relevant transcripts.