PhD in Educational Research Guiding Outcomes with Data-Proven Insights
60
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Shape the Future of Education with Liberty’s PhD in Educational Research
In today’s ever-evolving educational landscape, there is a growing need for professionals who can effectively shape the policies and procedures affecting schools, administrators, teachers, and students. At Liberty University, we seek to train up leaders who can meet this need and provide valuable guidance in educational, governmental, and nonprofit organizations – all while upholding the highest standards of integrity.
Whether your goal is to teach at the collegiate level, conduct research, work at a think tank, craft educational policy, or lead an organization, our 100% online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Research can help you become a researcher and practitioner with a well-rounded understanding of learning theory. In this program, you’ll have the opportunity to select a discipline that matches your professional goals, allowing you to pursue your career aspirations.
Here at Liberty University’s School of Education, our mission is unwavering – to nurture educators and leaders who are prepared to ask the important questions, tackle challenges, and broaden the horizons of educational research and leadership. Partner with us and gain the tools you need to produce new research and develop policies that will change the field of education for the better.
Why Choose Liberty’s Educational Research Doctoral Degree?
By choosing Liberty’s education research degree, you’re picking a program that is committed to offering you the best in flexibility, quality, and instruction.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Flexibility | Going back to school doesn’t have to mean putting your life on hold. This doctorate in research is 100% online, giving you the freedom to earn your degree from anywhere with an internet connection! Additionally, most of our courses are only 8 weeks long with multiple start dates offered each year – so you can pursue your degree on your schedule.
- Quality | Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America. You can be confident that our programs have met rigorous standards of academic excellence.
- Experienced Faculty | At the heart of our PhD program lies our exceptional faculty – a team of seasoned professionals with valuable experience in many areas of education. As a student, you can benefit from their real-world insight and passion for your success. They are here to guide, challenge, and support you at every step of your doctoral journey.
What Will You Study in Our PhD in Educational Research Degree?
Our education research degree dives deep into subjects such as advanced learning theory, institutional research, and advanced educational statistics. You’ll also take several courses focusing on research methods – including applied, quantitative, qualitative, survey, and mixed methods of research. These skills can help you build toward producing original research in the field.
Throughout your courses, you can also learn how to conduct a literature review, assess academic effectiveness in an institutional setting, and navigate contemporary educational policy issues. Additionally, you’ll have some flexibility to tailor your degree to your unique goals with an elective course. Whether you’re working in a K-12 school, university, government agency, nonprofit, or any other organization that deals with educational policy and procedure, you can develop the skills needed to improve the quality and effectiveness of academic offerings.
To culminate your studies, you’ll complete a series of dissertation courses that will guide you through every step of the process – from conceptualization to defense. This presents a golden opportunity to showcase your knowledge, address real-world challenges in education, and prepare for a career committed to transforming education through research.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Educational consultant
- Private business consultant
- Researcher at a university or think tank
- University administrator
- University professor
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Education.
- View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
- This is a non-licensure program.
- A dissertation is required.
- Most of our PhD courses are offered in an 8-week format; however, the dissertation courses are 16 weeks long.
Degree Completion Plan
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Doctoral Full Time | $595/Credit |
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Doctoral Part Time | $650/Credit |
Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour (learn more).
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for the Online PhD in Educational Research
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
- Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.
Transcript Policies
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Military Tuition Discount
We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour. Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of pursuing a program like this online?
With our 100% online courses, you can earn your degree from the comfort of home – while still fulfilling your commitments to your family, job, and community.
Why does this program have a culminating dissertation?
By completing a dissertation, you can conduct original research and contribute to the base of knowledge in your field.
What resources will be available to me in this program?
Our Jerry Falwell Library portal gives you access to numerous scholarly books, articles, and more – so you can find the sources you need to complete your coursework.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Why Choose Liberty?
- What Will You Study?
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
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