The Doctor of Philosophy program is for learners who want to combine
a strong base of theoretical knowledge with an individualized focus to conduct
research in and about PK-12, postsecondary and adult learning environments.
An online Education PhD can be found in many different roles in academia, industry and
not-for-profit organizations, including educational consultant, academic
researcher, policy maker, educational theorist, and faculty member or
administrator in a higher education or organizational setting.
Learners pursuing the online Education PhD have the opportunity to customize and
focus their program through their coursework, doctoral research courses and
the doctoral dissertation.
Objectives
The specific objectives of the online Education PhD program are to:
- Promote the learners opportunity to engage in academic research, scholarship, and systematic inquiry
within the field of education.
- Prepare learners, through the practice of research, to generate new knowledge or the reformulation of
existing knowledge as a basis for the development of educational theory through applied research.
- Provide a graduate experience that is intellectually stimulating, professionally relevant, and that
leads to research that supports decision making and problem solving around the key issues facing education.
Learn about Northcentral's School of Education Curriculum.
Requirements
Admission to the Doctorate programs requires a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. If
coursework is not in the discipline of the doctorate degree being sought, fundamental requirements may be required.
Learners working toward the PhD complete 51 semester credit hours of coursework beyond the master's degree (this
includes the 24 credit hours of research, the comprehensive course, and the dissertation)
beyond the 30 transferred graduate courses with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (B) or higher. Statistics in
Educational Research (ED7020) is required of all Ph.D. Learners, unless a comparable course was fulfilled within 3 years
prior to making application to NCU. EDR7000 is also required of all PhD Learners.
Ph.D. Learners must demonstrate competency in specific subject areas prior to enrolling in any of the
specialization or elective courses. Please reference Section 404.5 - Graduate Specializations, for the specific
required fundamental course(s). Competency may be demonstrated by previous graduate coursework.
Northentral's School of Education offers
the PhD in 12 areas of specialization,
allowing learners the opportunity to focus on what is meaningful to their professional
growth and development. Learners who complete at least 18 credits in a specialization may elect to
have that specialization recorded on their transcript and diploma.
PhD or EdD? Your choice is discussed here.