Best Online PhD Programs in Education for 2024
Whether your goal is to become a college professor, publish new research, or advance into academic leadership roles, obtaining a PhD in Education can take you to the highest levels of the field. While earning this degree can lead to many fulfilling careers and increased compensation, it is also a significant investment. 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 12 of the best online PhD in Education programs for this year. 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.
College Ranking Methodology
Generate List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Career placement and academic counseling services.
Assign Weightings
After generating the list of eligible schools, the STEPS data team then assigned weights and ranked schools based on their performance in a variety of key categories. Affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings, followed by online learning and academic quality metrics (equally weighted).
Online Learning
- Number of online programs in subject area self-reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Percentage of graduate students at the school taking at least one class online.
Affordability
- Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on in-state tuition for graduate students per academic year.
Academic Quality
- Student-to-faculty ratio: Schools with lower ratios ranked higher.
- Percentage of students admitted. More selective schools ranked higher.
About Our Data
All STEPS rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: August 2023
Accreditation Glossary
ABHE: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
ABHES: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
ACCJC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
ACCSC: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
DEAC: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
HLC: Higher Learning Commission
MSCHE: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
NECHE: New England Commission of Higher Education
NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SACSCOC: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission
WSCUC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
1
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Are you interested in teaching at the university level? Would you rather contribute to the field by using your education expertise to expand the theoretical perspectives professionals draw on in their everyday work? Either way, Regent University's PhD program in education can help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to achieve your goals. During this three-year program, you will develop a deep understanding of education policy, administration, and planning theories and how these concepts are used by practitioners. You'll become an expert on how education theory is used to evaluate programs, identify weaknesses in them, and make necessary changes that solve the problems. To further increase your expertise, you'll be able to concentrate on a specific area of education, such as Christian education leadership, educational technology in online learning, or exceptional education executive leadership.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Philosophy in Education
- Credits: 67
- Length: 3 years
- Cost: $800/credit
- Mode: 100% online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
2
Muncie, Indiana
Ball State University's doctorate in elementary education is designed for professionals who want to learn advanced research skills to conduct their own studies and those who want to teach at the college level. Although online students are required to hand in weekly assignments, they have the opportunity to watch lectures at their own convenience, making the program a good choice for those juggling their education with their jobs and family responsibilities. If you prefer to participate in some face-to-face activities, the school offers a hybrid version of the program. To further accommodate busy professionals, Ball State University allows students to begin their studies in the fall, spring, or summer semesters, so their start date coincides with their lifestyle. During the program, students take core classes in statistical research methods, psychological research, and intermediate statistics. They're also required to take behavior and humanistic studies classes and choose a concentration in early childhood education, elementary education, or literacy and reading education.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Philosophy in Elementary Education
- Credits: 91--97
- Length: 5 years
- Cost: $451/credit in-state; $676/credit out-of-state
- Mode: 100% online or partially online
- Accreditation: CAEP
3
River Forest, Illinois
In the leadership in higher education PhD program offered by Concordia University-Chicago, students learn how higher education administrators tackle daily workplace challenges, from managerial to financial to legal issues. The curriculum has a heavy focus on education theory and research, so students get the opportunity to see the big picture associated with the daily issues educators face. As a result of this approach, students gain an understanding of complex issues related to running higher education institutions, develop the leadership skills needed to apply theory to real-world issues, and conduct research that contributes to evidence-based higher education decision-making. Graduates of the program go on to pursue careers as directors of admissions, college deans, college presidents, and alumni relations directors.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership in Higher Education
- Credits: 67
- Length: 3 years
- Cost: $735/credit
- Mode: 100% online
- Accreditation: HLC
4
Mississippi State, Mississippi
5
Lubbock, Texas
6
Clemson, South Carolina
7
Greeley, Colorado
8
Kalamazoo, Michigan
9
College Station, Texas
10
Bloomington, Indiana
11
Manhattan, Kansas
12
Queens, New York
In Focus: Online PhD Programs in Education
Online PhD programs are designed for professionals who want to step into high-level education roles, such as administration, academic positions, or jobs as education researchers. Since many of the topics covered in these programs—like education technology, trends in education, and research methods—can be effectively covered online, many schools offer programs that can be completed from home or wherever is convenient for the student. Continue reading for more information on online PhD programs in education, which may be offered fully online or in a hybrid format.
Full-Time Online Education PhDs
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. During this time, you will be required 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.
The Part-Time Online Education PhD
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. Some part-time PhDs in education allow you to fulfill your dissertation requirements up to eight years after your initial enrollment.
Hybrid or Blended 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.
Online PhD in Education vs. the Online 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.
In addition to the focus of the programs, there are also differences in the length of online PhD and EdD degree programs. Generally, students in EdD programs are required to complete 60 credits, which can take about two years, while PhD programs require 90 credits that are completed in four years or more.
Online Education PhD Program 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Education Policy
Education policy programs train students to take managerial positions that require them to know how to navigate the intricacies of complicated education laws. Whether they want to work in public or private schools, colleges, or government agencies, this program teaches students how to evaluate education programs based on current policies, conduct legal research, and understand how economic principles are influenced by education law.
How Much Will an Online PhD in Education 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. To provide an idea of what different programs charge for tuition, we compiled a list of five schools below.
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University | 66 | $675 | $44,500 |
| Liberty University | 60 | $595 | $35,700 |
| Ashford University | 59 | $1,082 | $63,838 |
| Regent University | 75 | $775 | $58,125 |
| St. John’s University | 42 | $1,265 | $53,130 |
How Long Will an Online PhD in Education Take to Finish?
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.
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
Submit a resume
Meet with the department to discuss why they’re a good fit for the program
