fully funded phd in education

Fully Funded PhD Programs in Education

Last updated July 15, 2022

Next in my series on  How To Fully Fund Your PhD , I provide a list below of universities that offer full funding to all students admitted to their PhD programs in education, international education, and educational leadership.

You can find several competitive, external fellowships in the ProFellow database for graduate and doctoral study, but it is useful to seek out PhD programs that offer full funding to all admitted students. When a doctoral program indicates that they provide full funding to their PhD students, in most cases this means they provide each admitted student full tuition and a stipend for living expenses for the four to the six-year duration of the student’s doctoral studies. Not all universities provide full funding to their doctoral students, which is why I recommend researching the financial aid offerings of all the potential PhD programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools both in the U.S. and abroad.

Would you like to receive the full list of more than 1000+ fully funded programs in 60 disciplines? Download the FREE Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards !

Universities offering Fully Funded PhD Programs in Education

Boston university, phd in educational studies.

(Boston, MA): Students admitted to the program will be fully funded for five years. Students work closely with BU Wheelock faculty as assistants in research and teaching.

Drexel University, PhD in Education & Educational Leadership

(Philadelphia, PA): Drexel University provides tuition remission, a living stipend, and health insurance subsidies through research and teaching assistantships.

Harvard University, PhD in Education

(Cambridge, MA): Harvard guarantees full financial support to PhD students—including tuition, health fees, and basic living expenses—for a minimum of five years. This multi-year funding package includes a combination of tuition grants, stipends, traineeships, teaching fellowships, research assistantships, and other academic appointments.

New York University, PhD in Education

(New York, NY): NYU Steinhardt awards all students (including international students) who are offered full-time admission to our Ph.D. programs a full funding and mentoring package.

Queen’s University, PhD in Education

(Ontario, Canada): Queen’s guarantees a minimum funding package currently valued at $18,000 [CAD] per year for four years for full-time doctoral students; in most cases, funding packages are higher (2011-12 Average: $25,800). In addition, Queen’s guarantees an international tuition award (or equivalent award) valued at $5,000 per year for four years for eligible international doctoral students.

University of California Irvine, PhD in Education

(Irvine, CA): Effective 2015, all incoming UC Irvine PhD in Education students, including California residents, non-residents, and international students, are offered five years of financial support. Funding includes an academic year stipend or salary, tuition and Student Services Fee waiver, and student health insurance.

University of California San Diego PhD in Education

All PhD students at UC San Diego are guaranteed funding for five years which is equivalent to the amount allocated for a 50% TA position. Funding packages can consist of instructional assistantships, Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions, university or outside fellowships, and/or stipends. A minimum financial support package of $20,000 for the first year.

University of Colorado, PhD in Education

(Boulder, CO): Admitted doctoral students received four-year funding packages including a stipend and a tuition grant equal to the cost of tuition (in-state and out-of-state).

University of Michigan, PhD in Education

(Ann Arbor, MI): Funding for students admitted into our doctoral programs includes tuition, health and dental benefits for students and their families, and a stipend for living expenses. Each of the programs also provides additional support for conference travel, research projects, and writing. 

Michigan State University PhD in Education

(East Lansing, MI): For most students in the doctoral program, international and domestic, the primary source of on-campus support is graduate assistantships. Assistantship stipends depend on the level of assistantship. In addition to the stipend, all graduate assistants receive a waiver of nine (9) credits of tuition per semester. They offer a variety of multi-year recruiting fellowships for incoming doctoral students.

University of Virginia, PhD in Education

(Charlottesville, VA): Financial support packages, which may include a combination of fellowship funding, bi-weekly pay, tuition remission/adjustment, and health insurance, are decided at various administrative levels.

Vanderbilt University, PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy

(Nashville, TN): All Peabody graduate (Ph.D.) students receive full tuition funding through a combination of University Tuition Scholarships and/or merit awards.

Stanford University Fully Funded PhD in Education

(Stanford, CA): Stanford GSE offers all admitted Ph.D. students a five-year funding guarantee that provides tuition aid, fellowship stipend, and assistantship salary, and covers the standard cost of attendance. Click here for more funding information.

University of Arkansas, PhD in Education Policy

(Fayetteville, AR): Graduate assistantships offer qualified applicants a full tuition waiver, a health insurance benefit plus an attractive annual stipend. Distinguished Doctoral Fellowships are combined with graduate assistantships to provide a package of stipends totaling $40,000 per year a tuition waiver, and further benefits.

University of Washington, PhD in Education

(Seattle, WA): The UW College of Education Faculty Council distributes a number of scholarships annually. The College of Education supports 120+ graduate students each academic year through teaching, research, and staff assistantship positions. Primary consideration is usually given to doctoral students.

Washington University in St. Louis, PhD in Education

(Saint Louis, MO): Ph.D. students receive full tuition remission, a health fee subsidy, and a monthly stipend to defray living expenses. The stipend is paid over 12 months (August-July), which includes summer funding. Washington University guarantees funding for Ph.D. students for up to six years as long as satisfactory progress is made in their program. Competitive fellowships are also available.

Concordia University, PhD in Education

(Quebec, Canada): Competitive funding packages in the form of awards, teaching, and research assistantships are offered at the time of admission to most students to allow them to focus on their research and studies. Students are automatically considered for all entrance graduate awards when they apply to Concordia, provided they meet eligibility criteria.

Indiana University, PhD in Education

They offer a variety of funding opportunities for Ph.D. students, including fellowships, research, and teaching assistantships which include a stipend, tuition remission, and student health insurance. All admitted graduate students who meet departmental deadlines are automatically considered for available fellowships.

University of Pennsylvania, PhD in Education Policy

(Philadelphia, PA ): All Ph.D. students are guaranteed a full scholarship for their first four years of study, as well as a stipend and student health insurance. Penn GSE is committed to making your graduate education affordable, and they offer generous scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.

University of Delaware, PhD in Education

(Newark, DE): Full-time Ph.D. in Education students receive financial support for four years through a variety of sources, including assistantships and tuition scholarships. Students with assistantships receive a 100% tuition scholarship and a 9-month stipend, plus health insurance. Merit-based supplemental funding is available.

For application tips on applying to a PhD program, see  How To Get Into a Fully Funded PhD Program: Contacting Potential PhD Advisors .

Find more graduate fellowships for doctoral study and dissertation research in ProFellow’s fellowships database .

© Victoria Johnson 2020, all rights reserved.

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Thank you so much for compiling this useful information. Finally a resource that cuts out the fat and leans right into the meat of the information!

Now I am doing Master in Marketing & Management from India Pune University. So I have dream that I want do PhD in Retail which is in the abroad and I am unable do that due to fund so I need guidance of fully funded PhD program.

I am Binod k.c from Nepal. I have a masters degree in management. I have an education of 17 years, can I apply for Phd or not. To apply for Phd I need the education of 18 years or I can study by 17 years. What percentage is needed in masters to apply for the Phd. I hope for the reply.

I am a professional teacher and need to do my PhD on scholarship as i cannot foot the the fees

Hi I have interest in obtaining a phD in education how do I apply for a scholarship?

PLS I AM INTERESTEDIN PHD IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT. I HAVE M.SC IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WITH MAJOR ININTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

I am Lekha Erandi,Lecturer in Mass communication ,Open University of Sri Lanka. I’m interested in the field of development communication, women and media and Environmental communication. For my post graduate studies, I did the research based on religious communication. Now I already submitted my MA thesis, it is based on communication for community development. Through study,I strongly believe that communication is the bridge to empower grass root people. My basic degree and post graduate programs were done locally. But as an academic I hope to explore my knowledge widely. and I hope to start my PHD studies in a foreign university as believe that explore would be more important to develop academic credentials.i would like to get some information about fully funded phd in mass communitarian.

I hold Masters in Mathematics Education. Is it possible for me to get fully funding PhD in Mathematics Education to offer. Thank you.

Now I am on the way o finishing M.A in educational leadership and management in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) university. I wish to continue PhD as soon as possible in abroad country…….Could you please help me?

I have Masters in Educational management and I would like to do a PhD in the same field but I have no money.Help me get a scholarship.I will be grateful.Thank u.

i want to do my phd in education.i have completed my master in education. But i need full funded scholarship.How is it possible?

How can I get funding as a Ugandan who has MA Education and worked for six years as adjunct a lecturer in Education.

Thank you very much… The information was useful.

This is really good information.

OK, BUT what is their application based acceptance rates? That is, how many valid applications do they get and how many applicants are then offered acceptance letters?

My Directory of Fully Funded PhD Programs in Education, available at the link above, includes acceptance rates of the programs.

I just applied to a PhD program at Drexel’s School of Education. Fully Funded co-horts are not available. It is $1100 per credit, plus fees…

Hi Meg, thanks for this update! I will look into this and remove Drexel from this list.

Yikes, that price is literally insane.

Very useful information you’ve presented here after scouring the internet for weeks. This term fully funded was the buzzword I was missing. Now to find fully funded PhD programs that can be done online with minimal residency so I don’t have to uproot my family and my current teaching load. Are there any online programs that are fully funded?

Tracy, I have not been able to find any so far. Online programs are typically offered by for-profit universities. However, if you can find a 3-year PhD position that does not require the normal 2 years of course (typically you need to have a Master’s/postgraduate degree already to be eligible for these), you may not need to be in-resident. These programs are more common in Europe, Asia and Oceania. Thus you might spend some time abroad to get started, and then could complete your PhD dissertation remotely. This would require negotiation with your supervisors.

Vicki Johnson, do you have any specific ideas for programs? I have a Master’s degree in English but looking into a doctoral program in International Education or similar. My background is teaching ESL and English.

Try Colorado State University, their program is fairly new (10) but they have some online portion and a short residency program.

Do you have any information about fully funded Ed.D programs?

Same question!

Thank you for the information. I will be finished with my MAT (Biology ) in 2018 and am looking for a PhD program in Education. The program must be fully funded and in Maryland because I am a new Mom and my husband’s job is here in MD. I hope to find something so that we don’t have to move.

Hi Taj, I would suggest looking into the university programs that are nearby you. You can call the admissions office to find out if they offer full funding packages to incoming doctoral students.

Thank you so much and I will do that asap.

Johns Hopkins

Thank you so much Ms. Love.

Really? Do they fully fund?

Hello Johns Hopkins university has a fully funded Phd program in Education.

Did you find something? Same here!

Have you looked at the Universities at Shady Grove?

Hello I am looking now after reading your suggestion!! Thank you.

Is there any Ph.d course after graduation of 4 years in elementary education?

I am looking for the right fellowship for an Ed.D. with a focus on training of teachers in developing countries. I am looking for the university already doing research in African countries. Can you give me any recommendations?

Most of these fellowships sound like assistantships that waive tuition and provide a stipend in exchange for work. NSF gives out fellowships that amount to more than $100,000 for 3 years of study, plus you can work an assistantship. Stanford is making three fellowships each year with a total value of $160,000 for business students. Compared to Fellowships in Science and Technology, Education majors get almost nothing. Education is just not a national priority and is certainly not on an equal footing with STEM fields.

Hi there. I’m looking for a fully-funded PhD degree in education in Australia or Canada. Is there any available? Your kind advice is highly appreciated.

Hi, my Directory available at the link above includes 2 fully funded programs in Canada.

Vicky, fully funded only in Public Health or Education too?! Thanks!

Good day. Any ideas about scholarship opportunity for Africans I to study in the UK apart form the Common wealth. I need a fully opportunity to carry out a PHD in a UK based uni in a Public health related topic that focuses on indigenous women reproductive health

i will appreciate a fully funded on-line course Ed.D in early years/early childhood education.

I have not been able to identify any fully funded online PhD programs in any subject.

Good day. I like to have a PhD fully funded scholarship in Educational Technology and I will appreciate this if I could be directed to the right University. Thank you.

Please see my comment above!

Greetings. I am an experienced minority teacher with strong science and computer technology background. I look forward to a fully funded PhD program in “Educational Technology for the future” research studies. I believe I possess all the tools and an exceptional will to pursue my research in this direction. Any assistance in this direction will be greatly appreciated.

Hi. I wanted to share that you do not need to enter a PhD program specifically in the subject of Educational Technology to do a PhD dissertation in this subject. You can do a dissertation in this subject in a general PhD in Education program. The key is to identify universities with professors who have done research in this subject who are availble serve as your advisor. You might also do a dissertation in this subject in Business PhD program.

Hi: Thank you very much for your response regarding my request. I am a believer of STEAM not just STEM, and an interdisciplinary approach to develop a comprehensive immersive educational programs. I look forward to some kind of an educational foundation or an agency to hear about my proposal to develop a pilot program to implement a “comprehensive immersive educational system” with a strong technology foundation where Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Arts (including Philosophy) to achieve the maximum learning experience of young minds.

Greetings. I appreciate your work here. I am interested in a fully funded PhD programme in Special Education. I shall be very appreciative of your anticipated kind gesture. Thanks

I wish to study fully funded PhD program in Special Education ( especially in the field of autism). Is there any university is conducting this program.

I’m from Asia And fully funded doctoral / PhD courses you know of?

Hi, Looking for a fully funded Ph.D.in education in the Philadelphia area. Are there any? Seems like most listed are out of my state. Thank you.

Try University of Pennsylvania.

I am a Chemical Engineer (BS – Chemical Engineering) with an MBA in Project Leadership & Management, I have applied to George Washington University’s Distance & Online Doctorate Program – Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng) in Engineering Management. I am looking for scholarships & fellowships to enable foot the tuition fees. I am based in Nigeria

My name is Katura Fennell and I am looking into any schools that will fully fund a doctoral program in the area of education. I am currently a teacher in Nashville TN and enrolled at Lipscomb University receiving my Ed.S in leadership, but really want to continue my education and help make a difference in the world of education. Any guidance or list of recent schools that will supply funding? I can be emailed at [email protected] with any information. Thanks in advance.

Hi Katura, the list of fully funded Phd programs in Education above is current as of May 1, 2017. We also sell the exclusive Directory of Fully Funded PhD Programs in Education, which is a detailed directory of 22 universities in the U.S. and Canada offering full funding to all incoming students. You can purchase the Directory here: https://www.fullyfundedcourse.com/free-directory . Best of luck!

Hello, Can I get some information on fully funded Ph.D program in IT and Computer science in US for an international student(Graduate in Information Assurance)? I can be emailed at [email protected] for extra information. Thank you.

Hi Nikhitha, please see our article Fully Funded PhD Programs in Computer Science: https://www.profellow.com/fellowships/fully-funded-phd-programs-in-computer-science/

Hi, thanks for the wonderful info. I’m interested in a few different areas for a PHD that I don’t see listed: Buddhism, Comparative Religions, Psychology, Mythology or Stories (lit, film, poetry, all forms). Given that these subject are not exactly the cats’ meow in terms of financial opportunities afterwords, the study is a labor of love and philanthropy. Could there possibly be a school for me somewhere? I would do a part-time online program with an international university if needed too – I’m in Southern California.

I’m a nurse educator in Singapore. Have been teaching in academic school and hospital for more than 10yrs. I have master of education from university of Sydney. How can I do a part time PhD in education which is fully funded? Please assist.

I have a JD, a few credits short of a LLM (in Comparative Law), and a MA (in African-American World Studies). I have been working as a lawyer for a non-profit Public Interest firm for 12 years, but I want to get a PhD. I have a small family now (3,8 year old girls), so I need a PhD program that is fully funded. I am interested in “Justice” so I can pursue a PhD in either Law, African American Studies, or Education. I have been out of the scholarly environment for so long, I really don’t know where to start. Any help would be appreciated.

Comments are closed.

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Top 10 PhD in Education Programs

Karla Ibarra is a content writer at Scholarships 360. She has worked as an English teacher and writing tutor. As a writing tutor, she has experience editing scholarships and college application essays. Karla graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Communication and a minor in English.

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Earning a PhD in any field is both time intensive and expensive. While the required time to earn a PhD is a given, paying for one is not! Fully funded PhD programs offer students a chance to focus on their studies without worrying about going into debt long (sometimes decades) after graduation. With the average cost of a PhD at nearly $82,000 , potential PhD students should do everything possible to secure a spot in fully funded programs. Keep reading to learn about some of the top fully funded PhD programs in education! 

Related: Top scholarships for teachers

First, exactly what is a “Doctorate of Philosophy” degree?

A PhD, which is the abbreviated form of “doctorate of philosophy,” is among the highest level degrees one can earn in the United States. Students earn a  PhD after the completion of a lengthy research and writing project known as a “dissertation.” While most students earn PhDs in the humanities or social sciences, they can earn a PhD in a variety of fields. 

Further reading: What is a PhD?

How we chose the fully funded PhD in Education programs on this list

All of the programs on the following list have stellar reputations in the education space. It is not surprising that the most reputable programs offer plentiful resources that are invaluable to PhD students. PhD students are able to fully focus on their studies in well stocked and up-to-date libraries. Students have access to the most distinguished education professors in their respective specialty fields. Upon graduation, students will have strong connections to help launch their own careers. 

All of the fully funded programs included offer full tuition coverage. Most offer living stipends and health insurance as well. Make sure that you read the details of exactly what to expect from each program. Students may be required to contribute to their education by becoming a graduate assistant or working in some capacity at the school they are enrolled in. 

Let’s take a look at some of the top fully-funded PhD in Education programs, which are in no particular order. 

Columbia University Teachers College PhD program in Education Policy 

Columbia University Teachers College PhD program in Education provides students with rigorous academic training and research opportunities. The program offers a range of specializations, including curriculum and teaching, educational leadership, higher education, international and comparative education, psychology in education, and special education.  

• Location: New York City, New York
• Focus of study : Curriculum and teaching, education policy and social analysis, health education, and cognitive studies in education.
• What is included : Tuition coverage for the first, second, and third year

Harvard University PhD in Education

Harvard University offers a PhD program in Education through the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). The program offers students specializations in three concentrations: Culture, Institutions, and Society; Education Policy and Program Evaluation; and Human Development, Learning and Teaching.  

• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Focus of study : Human development, instructional practice, institutions and society, learning and teaching, and policy analysis and evaluation
• What is included : Full financial support for tuition, health insurance fees, and basic living expenses for a minimum of five years

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Stanford phd program in education.

The Stanford Graduate School of Education PhD program in Education prepares scholars to advance knowledge about learning and education, with a focus on improving educational outcomes for all students. Academic areas students can focus on include curriculum studies and teacher education (CTE), developmental and psychological sciences (DAPS), social sciences, humanities, and interdisciplinary policy studies in education (SHIPS), and other cross-area specializations. 

• Location: Stanford, California
• Focus of study : Educational leadership, education policy analysis, learning and teaching, and quantitative and qualitative research methods
• What is included : Full tuition aid, fellowship stipend, and assistantship salary

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign PhD program in Education

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a Ph.D. program in education that provides students with a strong foundation in educational theory, research methodologies, and practical applications. Students may specialize in a variety of different areas of study. These include educational policy, leadership and administration, curriculum and instruction, educational psychology, and human development. 

• Location: Champaign, Illinois 
• Focus of study : Curriculum and instruction, educational policy, educational psychology, higher education, learning sciences, and special education
• What is included : Full tuition waiver, a partial fee waiver, and a stipend in the first five years of enrollment

University of Michigan PhD program in Educational Studies  

The University of Michigan offers a Ph.D. program in Education through its School of Education. Students have the opportunity to specialize in diverse fields such as educational psychology, curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, and policy. Additionally, the University of Michigan provides a vibrant intellectual community and a wide range of resources, including libraries, research centers, and partnerships with local schools and educational organizations. 

• Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Focus of study : Cross-specialization concentration, educational foundations and policy, educational policy, leadership, and innovation, learning technologies, literacy, language, and culture, mathematics education, science education, and teaching and teacher education
• What is included : Full tuition waiver, health insurance, and a generous stipend package 

University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education PhD program in Education

The University of Pennsylvania offers an interdisciplinary and prestigious Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Education housed within the renowned Graduate School of Education (GSE). Students can choose one of the five programs available: 1) educational linguistics 2) human development & quantitative methods 3) literacy, culture, and international education 4) policy, organizations, leadership, and systems and 5) teaching, learning, and leadership. The GSE also has numerous research centers and institutes, providing opportunities for collaboration and engagement with experts. 

• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Focus of study : Educational technology, language and literacy, higher education, policy analysis, teacher education, and urban education
• What is included : A full scholarship, a stipend, and student health insurance for the first four years of study

Vanderbilt University Ph.D. program in Learning, Teaching, and Diversity

Vanderbilt University offers a Ph.D. program in Learning, Teaching, and Diversity through its Peabody College. The program aims to place a strong emphasis on research and provides students with numerous opportunities for professional development and networking. The program offers four areas of specialization: language, literacy, and culture; justice and diversity in education; mathematics and science education; and learning and design. 

• Location: Nashville, Tennessee
• Focus of study : higher education, learning and instruction, language and literacy, educational policy, and more
• What is included : Full tuition support, health insurance, and graduate assistantships that cover living expenses

The University of Texas at Austin College of Education PhD

Within the College of Education at UT Austin , the Curriculum and Instruction department includes a variety of PhD programs to choose from like bilingual education, cultural studies in education, early childhood education, language and literacy studies, learning technologies, social studies education, and more. Other departments in the college of education include: Curriculum and Instruction; Educational Leadership and Policy; Educational Psychology; Kinesiology and Health Education; and Special Education.

• Location: Austin, Texas
• Focus of study : Bilingual/Bicultural Education; Cultural Studies in Education; Early Childhood Education, Language and Literacy Studies; Learning Technologies; Physical Education Teacher Education; Social Studies Education; STEM Education; and Urban Teachers Program
• What is included : Full tuition waiver, a stipend for living expenses, and health insurance for up to five years

New York University Steinhardt

The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University offers many PhD programs in the field of education. Popular concentrations include learning sciences, literacy education, educational psychology, policy studies, and teaching and learning. A PhD in education from New York University offers students a variety of specializations with the added bonus of a fully funded program.  

• Focus of study : Bilingual Education; Childhood Education; Early Childhood Education; Education and Jewish Studies; Educational Communication and Technology; and more
• What is included : Tuition coverage for required course work, an annual stipend, and health insurance through the fifth year 

Washington University in St. Louis, PhD in Education

Washington University in St. Louis offers a Ph.D. in Education through its Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. PhD students may choose from two major strands of study; educational policy studies and educational psychology. Students in the Educational Policy Studies concentration focus on analysis of educational policy, address systemic inequities, and study qualitative, quantitative projects. The Educational Psychology program helps students in their focus on psychological research and theories relating to learning and motivation. 

• Location: St. Louis, Missouri
• Focus of study : Educational Policy Studies and Educational Psychology
• What is included : Full tuition remission and a monthly stipend five to six years

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Frequently asked questions about fully funded PhD programs in education

How do i know which phd program in education is right for me.

• If you had to pick one, what would be your main professional goal?
• What’s the reputation of the faculty?
• What research options are available?
• What environment is right for me?

Does a fully funded PhD in education include housing?

Is there an age limit for earning a phd in education, can i earn an online fully funded phd program in education, scholarships360 recommended.

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Doctor of Education : Doctorate Degree in Education

Johns Hopkins’ newly redesigned, global online Doctor of Education is at the forefront of education doctoral programs with the most innovative, challenging, and student-centered program of its kind.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the program continues to lead with the “EdD 2.0” offering, which is ideal for the busy education practitioner within any professional context. Our program recognizes that learning is both lifelong and occurs outside of formal schooling.

The vision of the Johns Hopkins EdD program is to prepare education-practitioners across the country and around the world to think critically about problems within their education environment and develop the insights and capacity to lead positive, sustained change.

Questions? Please reach out and we’ll be in touch soon.

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Have questions about our degree programs, the application, or financial aid and costs? Join us for an inside look at a graduate experience defined by innovation and driven by evidence-based research. Learn more about your area of interest or career path, meet some of our faculty, and connect to the Johns Hopkins School of Education community. Check out our admissions events and register for a virtual information session today.

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Core Faculty

Yolanda abel, edd.

Associate Professor

Affiliation

Advanced Studies in Education

Administration, Organization & Leadership, Education Policy & Politics, Social Context of Education

Camille Bryant, PhD

Joshua travis brown, phd.

Assistant Professor

Administration, Organization & Leadership, Education Policy & Politics, Postsecondary Education, Social Context of Education

Marcia Davis, PhD

Associate Professor (Research) Co-Director, Center for Social Organization of Schools Director of Research, Baltimore Education Research Consortium

Center for Social Organization of Schools, SOE Leadership

Learning & Instruction, Research, Evaluation & Assessment

Christine Eith, PhD

Interim Department Chair, Advanced Studies in Education Assistant Professor

Keri M. Guilbault, EdD

Associate Professor Interim Director, Doctor of Education Program Faculty Lead, Gifted Education Programs

Counseling & Educational Studies

Gifted Education, Learning & Instruction

Ranjini Mahinda JohnBull, PhD

Learning & Instruction, Mind, Brain, & Teaching

Olivia Marcucci, PhD

Advanced Studies in Education, Center for Safe and Healthy Schools

Social Context of Education

James Diamond, PhD

Educational Technology, Learning & Instruction

E. Juliana Pare-Blagoev, EdD

Eric rice, phd.

Social Context of Education, Urban Education

Laura Flores Shaw, EdD

Assistant Professor Faculty Lead, Doctor of Education

Learning & Instruction

Henry M. Smith, EdD

Administration, Organization & Leadership, Education Policy & Politics

Program Overview

Exceptional education-practitioners will engage with an internationally renowned faculty to cultivate and practice curiosity, critical discourse, and perspective taking in a unique and rigorous course of study using the lenses of social justice, systems thinking, appropriate research methods, and empirical inquiry.

Coursework includes the latest research on the social determinants of education; mind, brain, and teaching; entrepreneurship; data and measurement; and technology. The redesigned program allows our doctoral students to customize their program by expanding their choice of electives so that they may focus more deeply on their professional interests that align with their problem of practice. Our online EdD prepares education practitioners to be transformational leaders within their professional settings.

The vision of the Johns Hopkins EdD program is to impact complex educational problems across the globe by preparing education practitioners to think critically and systemically about problems within their professional settings and develop deep understanding and insights to lead positive, sustained change within those settings.Our graduates create new areas of research, promote distribution and utilization of research findings in professional practice, and contribute to wider public discourse and policy.

Areas of Interest

The EdD program includes areas of interest. Applicants can indicate one or more areas of interest they think are related to a problem of practice and would like to explore. Current areas of interest are:

Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education

Learning design and technology, neurodiversity and neuroeducation, urban leadership.

*Courses and course sequences are subject to change.

Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education offers a unique opportunity for school and other educational organization leaders in both public and private educational environments. Students develop their knowledge, skills, and dispositions as they engage in leading efforts to build new venture opportunities in varied educational organizations. Through multidisciplinary lenses, educational leaders promote innovation in the paradigms, strategies, values and culture in school systems, social entrepreneurial ventures, and education companies. Each of the courses offers an opportunity to explore leadership theoretical frameworks, identify a Problem of Practice, and create a plan of action, through analysis and synthesis of presentations, readings, and discussion of the current state of multiple educational environments and the visions and challenges for the future.

Sample Courses:

• Entrepreneurship in Education
• Talent Management and Organizational Finance for Entrepreneurial Leaders
• Data Driven Decision Making
• Partnerships and Educational Organizations
• Leadership in Education Organizations
• Research on Effective Professional Development

The EdD program’s Learning Design and Technology (LDT) area of interest is designed to equip educational leaders and researchers with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to critically engage with the rapidly evolving field of educational technology. This area of interest draws on the foundational elements of the school’s LDT program, focusing on the integration of learning sciences, human-centered design, and innovative assessment strategies to drive meaningful educational change. EdD students will explore the intersection of technology and pedagogy, exploring conceptual and empirical research and developing skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating digital learning environments. Through this area of interest, students will be prepared to lead initiatives that leverage technology to enhance learning outcomes, promote equity and inclusivity, and address the diverse needs of learners in various educational contexts. This area of interest is ideal for those looking to make a significant impact on educational practice and policy through the thoughtful application of educational technologies.

• Gaming and Simulations for Learning
• How People Learn
• Computational Thinking for K–12 Educators
• Maker Education: Cultivating Curiosity, Creativity, and Problem Solving in Theory and Practice
• Foundations and Applications of Learning Experience Design
• AI in Education

The Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation area of interest is designed for educators eager to explore research in cognitive science and neuroscience and its potential applications in education. Courses promote the integration of diverse disciplines that investigate human learning and development. This area of interest draws upon basic and applied research from cognitive science, psychology, brain sciences, neurology, neuroscience, and education. Educators develop the knowledge and skills to interpret basic and applied research and to apply relevant findings to educational practices and policies with a social justice lens. Courses in this area of interest focus on building expertise in learning sciences and cognitive diversity, preparing candidates for roles as informed educators, effective leaders, and skilled advocates for equity and excellence.

• Mind, Brain Science, and Learning
• Fundamentals of Cognitive Development
• Neurobiology of Learning Differences
• Twice Exceptional Learners
• Creativity in Education
• Social, Emotional, and Psychosocial Development of the Gifted
• Survey of Autism
• Introduction to Children and Youth With Exceptionalities

Cities are usually characterized by diverse populations with rich communities made up of many different races, classes, languages, and nationalities, and this dynamism is a chief strength of urban areas. However, urban schools typically serve populations characterized by high concentrations of poverty and therefore face difficult choices about how to allocate scarce resources. Urban Leadership is designed for educational professionals interested in exploring this dual nature of urban schools through a deep understanding of a Problem of Practice based in their unique context of professional practice. This area of interest prepares educational leaders to work in urban environments through a focus on topics such as building a strength-based understanding of the complexities of urban communities, engaging the latest research on urban educational programs, developing strategies for program improvement, and building partnerships with families, communities, and other organizations.

• Approaches to Urban Education
• Individuals in Urban Context
• Organizations and Institutions
• Partnerships and Community Organizing
• Power, Politics, and Policy in Education
• Leadership for School and Educational Organization Redesign
• Critical Theories of Race and Racism in Education

Graduates from our EdD program work in diverse areas, including executive roles in educational organizations and start-ups, leadership in K-12 school districts and systems, consultancy in specialized education fields, and more.

• Administrator
• Superintendent
• Instructional Designer
• Chief Learning Officer

100% Online

Continue your full-time career and apply what you learn in real time as you earn your degree 100% online.

Legal Disclosure

State-specific information for online students.

Students should be aware of additional state-specific information for online programs . Johns Hopkins University is a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate , which is the knowledge forum on the EdD. It has a membership of over 100 schools of education in the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand working collaboratively to improve professional preparation in education at the highest level.

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Doctoral programs.

The goal of the GSE PhD in Education is to prepare the next generation of leading education researchers. The cornerstone of the doctoral experience at the Stanford Graduate School of Education is the research apprenticeship that all students undertake, typically under the guidance of their academic advisor, but often with other Stanford faculty as well.

In this apprenticeship model, doctoral students are provided with a multi-year funding package that consists of opportunities each quarter to serve as teaching and research assistants for faculty members' courses and research projects. By this means, and in combination with the courses they take as part of their program, students are prepared over an approximately five-year period to excel as university teachers and education researchers.

The doctoral degree in Education at the GSE includes doctoral program requirements as well as a specialization, as listed below, overseen by a faculty committee from one of the GSE's three academic areas.

Doctoral programs by academic area

Curriculum studies and teacher education (cte).

• ‌ Elementary Education
• ‌ History/Social Science Education
• ‌ Learning Sciences and Technology Design
• ‌ Literacy, Language, and English Education
• ‌ Mathematics Education
• ‌ Science, Engineering and Technology Education
• ‌ Race, Inequality, and Language in Education
• ‌ Teacher Education

Developmental and Psychological Sciences (DAPS)

• ‌ Developmental and Psychological Sciences

Social Sciences, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Policy Studies in Education (SHIPS)

• ‌ Anthropology of Education
• ‌ Economics of Education
• ‌ Education Data Science
• ‌ ‌Educational Linguistics
• ‌ Educational Policy
• ‌ Higher Education
• ‌ History of Education
• ‌ International Comparative Education
• ‌ Organizational Studies
• ‌ Philosophy of Education
• ‌ Sociology of Education

Cross-area specializations

Learning sciences and technology design (lstd).

LSTD allows doctoral students to study learning sciences and technology design within the context of their primary program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Race, Inequality, and Language in Education (RILE)

RILE trains students to become national leaders in conducting research on how race, inequality, and language intersect to make both ineffective and effective educational opportunities. RILE allows students to specialize within their program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Other academic opportunities

• ‌ Concentration in Education and Jewish Studies
• ‌ PhD Minor in Education
• ‌ Stanford Doctoral Training Program in Leadership for System-wide Inclusive Education (LSIE)
• ‌ Certificate Program in Partnership Research in Education
• ‌ Public Scholarship Collaborative

“I came to Stanford to work with faculty who value learning in informal settings and who are working to understand and design for it.”

Doctoral graduates were employed within four months of graduation

of those employed worked in organizations or roles related to education

For more information about GSE admissions and to see upcoming events and appointments:

To learn more about the Office of Academic Affairs:

Stanford Graduate School of Education

482 Galvez Mall Stanford, CA 94305-3096 Tel: (650) 723-2109

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• Ph.D. in Education

Ph.D. in Education: Transforming Education in a Diverse Society

The Ph.D. in Education is designed for students with some professional experience in teaching and learning settings as well as in research.  Our mission is to teach students to wield the tools of research to change disparities in educational experiences and student outcomes.

Our Ph.D. in Education is designed for students who want to pursue research and careers in academia, the non-profit sector, or governmental agencies with a focus on how to improve educational practices and policies to achieve social equity and progress. We look for students with both research experiences and professional experience in teaching, leadership, and learning, who want to build their capacities to undertake independent scholarly research. 

As part of the evolution of education research, the field of education will require Ph.D. graduates who are prepared to collaborate with policymakers, educators, families, and communities to transform current education practice and policy. Our Ph.D. program will provide a fresh approach to training much needed and innovative researchers. Rather than training traditional faculty members solely to generate knowledge by documenting outcomes and processes in education, human development, and well-being, we will cultivate future faculty and researchers to serve and partner with communities through their research in order to accelerate the improvement of education in regional, national, and international settings.

With a focus on equity, equality, and justice, our program is designed to support the development of interdisciplinary, rigorous researchers who can improve educational structures, practices, and policies, as well as the use of educational approaches for community well-being, particularly in low resource settings and for socially marginalized youth. The program will explicitly articulate the links between university faculty, students, families, education practitioners, community members and programs, policy-makers, and educational and community stakeholders. 

In addition to developing a solid theoretical and methodological foundation, students in the program have opportunities to deepen and extend their learning through elective coursework within EDS and cognate coursework in other UCSD departments, and through research apprenticeships with EDS faculty,   in order to deepen their knowledge of varied disciplines, theories, and epistemologies. 

Students will also have the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary experiences by engaging in research across UC San Diego divisions, departments, and research units. Education Studies is a partner with Critical Gender Studies (CGS) allowing PhD students to apply for a   Graduate Specialization in CGS . Additionally, students interested in cognitive science development may apply to join the   Interdisciplinary PhD program in Cognitive Science   and Education Studies.

EDS Ph.D. Student Kirk Rogers, Receives Ford Fellowship

Eds ph.d. students anita caduff and rebecca levine, each received a friends of the international center fellowship, want to learn more, program features.

The program features include:

• Competitive Funding
• A commitment to promoting equity and social justice
• A focus on designing solutions for pressing problems in education
• A multi-disciplinary approach to training educational researchers, focusing on close collaboration with educators, policymakers, and the community
• On-campus, full-time course of study
• Interdisciplinary approach
• Focus on collaborative inquiry
• Intensive research internships working with well-renowned faculty
• Rigorous training in quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Training to generate and communicate research that transforms practices in local settings and makes an impact nationally and globally
• The use of technology as a tool for teaching, scholarship, and supporting change in diverse communities

Admissions Information

Our application for Fall 2025 will open on September 4, 2024.

The deadline to apply for Fall 2025 is Wednesday, Decemeber 4th, 2024.

A completed Ph.D. application will include the following components:

1) Application Form 

Fill out the application form online.

2) Statement of Purpose

Your Statement of Purpose  must  address the following:  (1) research interests, (2) relevant professional experiences, (3)  experiences with teaching and learning, (4) experience in diverse communities; (5) how your professional and research goals contribute to diversity. 

3) Recommendation Letters

Three letters of recommendation need to be submitted via the online recommendation form available within the application.  You may find it useful to consider in advance whom you will ask to serve as recommenders, so that you may contact these individuals and confirm their willingness. We suggest selecting recommenders who can comment on your ability to be successful in a rigorous Ph.D. program which focuses on transforming education in a diverse society. The letters might include a recommender’s knowledge and assessment of your academic preparation, your professional experiences in educational practice, and your research interests and experiences.

An applicant must submit a professional resume. The Ph.D. in Education is designed for students with some professional experience in teaching and learning settings as well as in research. 

5) Writing Sample

An applicant must submit a publication or a sample of academic writing.

6) Transcripts

For application review purposes (only), scan and upload copies of transcripts for all institutions attended post-high school.  In the online application, you will be prompted to upload a PDF of your scanned documents. Please upload both the front and back sides of the transcript, even if the back side is blank. Uploaded transcripts should be recent and include the following: your name, the institution name, dates of attendance, grades/marks received, credits, and grading legend.  If no transcript is available, please upload a statement explaining the circumstances.

*Do not mail hard copies until provisionally admitted.

Upon provisional admission UC San Diego:  Official transcripts from all institutions attended after high school will be required to finalize your admission and must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions office. Official records including transcripts, evaluations, mark sheets, diplomas, certificates, translations, and study abroad work must be delivered in a sealed envelope from the administering institution or service. Documents will not be accepted if opened or sealed by the student. Certified electronic transcripts sent directly to Graduate Admissions from the issuing institution care also accepted.  Electronic transcripts should be sent to  [email protected] .

Applicants with academic work in progress who expect to complete a degree program before the intended date of enrollment at UC San Diego, must provide evidence of degree conferral and a final academic transcript as soon as they are available.

By the time enrollment begins, successful applicants  must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution in the United States or from a recognized university-level academic institution abroad. Completed coursework for both domestic and international applicants must demonstrate the equivalent of at least a B average in the United States .

7) GRE Scores

We do not require that you take the  GRE exam . If you do take the exam our program code is R4836. If you have already taken the test and did not have your scores sent to UC San Diego, contact ETS to have your scores sent to us electronically. The test scores are valid for 5 years.

8) Additional Educational Experiences (Required by EDS)

To be considered for admission into the Ph.D. in Education Program, please respond to a minimum of three out of the seven areas included within the application. This part of the application is not optional for EDS.

9) Application Fee 

The application fee is $135 for US citizens or permanent residents; $155 for international applicants. The non-refundable fee is payable by credit card through the online application. You may also pay by check, following the instructions in the online application. If you choose to pay by check, please note that your application will not be processed until your check has been received.

The UCSD Education Studies PhD program uses a structured holistic review process with a rubric-based evaluation. Each application is reviewed in its entirety and rated on academic preparation, potential for scholarship, and potential for contributing to equity and diversity in formal and information learning contexts. While we do not have a minimum GRE score,  we encourage students to take the test seriously, to practice and do your best. You may choose to address low scores in your statement of purpose. Successful applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution in the United States or from a recognized university-level academic institution abroad and at least a B average (3.0 GPA) or its equivalent by the time they enroll. Some exceptional applicants with lower GPAs may be recommended for admission. You may choose to address low grades in Education related courses or GPA in your statement of purpose.

* Former UC San Diego graduate students should contact Amber Rieder to complete the necessary re-admission process. 

Graduate Funding

Admitted EDS PhD students are guaranteed 5 years financial support, which includes half-time student academic employment, and full tuition & fees during the academci year.

If admitted to the program a detailed funding letter outlining the funding package will be provided.

For further questions about funding please contact the Graduate Coordinator, Amber Rieder, [email protected].

Financ ial Support FAQs

Faculty use a wide array of research methodologies and discipline-based theoretical tools for analyzing and addressing topics. Our faculty have expertise in quantitative methods and qualitative methods of research, with many using mixed methods research approaches. Faculty research projects range from large-scale, multi-site quantitative analyses to in-depth qualitative studies of schools, classrooms, and communities. Faculty also have expertise in historical research, theory development, and design-based approaches to research.

View a list of Ph.D. Faculty and Research Topic Areas

Program of Study

2024-2025 ph.d. proposed course schedule, 2023-2024 ph.d. course schedule, 2022-2023 ph.d. course schedule, 22021-2022 ph.d. course schedule, 2020-2021 ph.d. course schedule, 2019-2020 ph.d. course schedule , 2018-2019 ph.d. course schedule , degree benchmarks.

Our signature pedagogy is problem immersion -- we ask students to read research and learn theories and methodologies in the service of understanding existing real-world education situations and contexts.  During the first two years of the program, students will take required courses in foundational areas and in rigorous research methods. Students will also take  Research Apprenticeship Courses (RAC)  in which students are immersed in faculty research with faculty supporting students’ development as researchers. At the end of the first year, and with faculty guidance, students will choose their particular area of focus and select elective courses in education and in other departments accordingly. Students will continue their research immersion experiences and take courses as part of an interdisciplinary cognate strand.

Between the end of year 2 and no later than Spring quarter of year 3 students will submit their  Qualifying Exam Research Review Paper . The written Research Review is designed to assess the student's ability to work in a scholarly and professional way with substantive knowledge in their area of interest. To successfully meet the research review benchmark, a student must submit a scholarly review of research manuscript of publishable quality. The manuscript should demonstrate the student’s knowledge of theory and research in a particular topic area related to transforming education in a diverse society.

After successfully passing the Qualifying Exam, students will present their dissertation proposal between year three and four. Information on this process can begin with the  Dissertation Proposal and Committee document . During the fourth and fifth years students will work with their dissertation advisor and other faculty committee members to complete their dissertation research and writing.

Student Handbooks

• Ph.D. Cohort 8 Handbook 2023-2024
• Ph.D. Cohort 7 Handbook 2022-2023
• Ph.D. Cohort 6 Handbook 2021-2022
• Ph.D. Cohort 5 Handbook 2020-2021
• Ph.D. Cohort 4 Handbook 2019-2020
• Ph.D. Cohort 3 Handbook 2018-2019
• Ph.D. Cohort 2 Handbook 2017-2018

PhD Program Committees

PhD Program Catalog Description

EDS PhD Approach to Mentoring and Advising

Information on SPSS

EDS Instructional Assistant (IA) Handbook

Financial Support

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 Slides from our Fall P.h.D. Information Session     

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Education policy, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.), you are here, an individualized doctoral program and an apprenticeship that prepares you for advanced empirical education policy research..

The goal of the Education Policy doctoral program is to produce the next generation of education policy scholars and researchers by providing students with deep content knowledge, disciplinary grounding, and training in the use of rigorous, cutting-edge methods. We study early childhood education, K-12, and beyond, in the United States and around the world. Our program has a proven record of preparing students for a variety of research careers, such as professors at top tier-universities and policy researchers at premier research firms, non-profit research organizations, and government agencies.

What Sets Us Apart

About the program.

The Education Policy Ph.D. program equips graduates with the knowledge and methodological tools to use, understand, and conduct research on the pressing educational issues of the day.  Your program of study will be matched to your specific interests in education policy on the local, state, national, or international levels. 

Fall: 4 courses; Spring: 4 courses

Research apprenticeship 20 hours per week

Culminating experience Comprehensive examination and doctoral dissertation 

At the heart of the Education Policy Ph.D. program is the research apprenticeship. You will be paired with Education Policy faculty members whose research interests align with your own, and work alongside them in the research process. You will learn to design, conduct, and communicate the results of empirical research, including presenting papers at scholarly conferences and submitting articles to scholarly journals for publication.

In addition to an  individualized program of study,  our students are required to write a significant qualifying paper and complete a dissertation on an issue in education. 

Transfer Courses

Course units of graduate coursework taken prior to matriculation into the Ph.D. degree program, if approved by both your faculty advisor and the Education Policy Chair, may be substituted for one or more of the above required courses. However, students are still required to complete 16 course units while at Penn GSE.

Program Length

Our Ph.D. program is designed to be completed in four years—two years of full-time coursework and two years to complete exams and dissertation. The University’s maximum time limit for completion is ten years after matriculation.

Preliminary Examination/Doctoral Dissertation

At the end of the coursework, students complete a preliminary examination (also known as the qualifying paper or comprehensive examination) covering relevant areas of education policy. Successful passage bestows doctoral candidacy, at which point students appoint a dissertation committee, orally defend their dissertation proposal, and write and defend their dissertation.

Our program offers a balance of flexibility and rigor. We want our students to be able to tailor their courses to their own interests and expertise while ensuring that they develop methodological and content-area expertise. One of the strengths of our program is that students can take courses in nationally ranked departments across the University of Pennsylvania. Many of our students take courses at the Wharton School, the School of Social Policy and Practice, and in departments including Sociology and Political Science. Advisors work closely with students to design their course of study.

For information on courses and requirements, visit the  Education Policy Ph.D. program in the University Catalog .

Our Faculty

The Education Policy faculty study everything from big data in early childhood education to assessment evaluation to the teacher workforce. In addition to the standing faculty in Education Policy, our program is enriched by the scholarship of faculty members from the Literacy, Culture, and International Education, Human Development and Quantitative Methods, and Teaching, Learning, and Leadership divisions. 

Affiliated Faculty

Sigal Ben-Porath MRMJJ Presidential Professor Ph.D., Tel Aviv University

Wendy Chan Assistant Professor Ph.D., Northwestern University

Dennis P. Culhane Professor, Penn Social Policy & Practice Ph.D., Boston College

John MacDonald Professor of Criminology and Sociology, Penn Arts & Sciences Ph.D., University of Maryland

Laura W. Perna Vice Provost for Faculty Ph.D., University of Michigan

Daniel A. Wagner UNESCO Chair in Learning and Literacy Ph.D., University of Michigan

Sharon Wolf Associate Professor Ph.D., New York University

Jonathan Zimmerman Judy and Howard Berkowitz Professor in Education Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University

"I went to Penn GSE because I wanted to understand the education research that drove policy changes, and I wanted to make that research applicable to teachers."

Wendy Castillo

Our graduates.

Our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and methodological tools to use, understand, and conduct research on the pressing educational issues of the day. We have a proven record of preparing students for a variety of research careers, such as professors at top-tier universities and policy researchers at premier research firms, nonprofit research organizations, and government agencies. Some alumni have also gone on to lead schools, districts, and other organizations.

Alumni Careers

Recent job placements.

• Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Assistant Professor, St. Louis University
• Assistant Professor, University of Maryland, College Park
• Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Pennsylvania
• Postdoctoral Scholar, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Lecturer, Princeton University
• Senior Analyst, Abt Associates
• Research Associate, MDRC
• Analyst, Congressional Research Office

Admissions & Financial Aid

Please visit our Admissions and Financial Aid pages for specific information on the application requirements , as well as information on tuition, fees, financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships.

Contact us if you have any questions about the program.

Graduate School of Education University of Pennsylvania 3700 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 898-6415 [email protected] [email protected]

Nakia Gard Program Manager (215) 573-8075 [email protected]

Noel Lipki Program Coordinator (215) 746-2923 [email protected]

Please view information from our Admissions and Financial Aid Office for specific information on the cost of this program.

All Ph.D. students are guaranteed a full scholarship for their first four years of study, as well as a stipend and student health insurance. Penn GSE is committed to making your graduate education affordable, and we offer generous scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.

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Center on Standards, Alignment, Instruction, and Learning

The Center on Standards, Alignment, Instruction, and Learning (C-SAIL) examines how college- and career-ready standards are implemented, if they improve student learning, and what instructional tools measure and support their implementation.

CPRE Mathematics Formative Assessment Project

The Ongoing Assessment Project (OGAP) is a large-scale field trial of a mathematics formative assessment program conducted by CPRE and funded by the National Science Foundation.

Consortium For Policy Research In Education

The Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE) is a joint effort of seven graduate schools of education. Its research focuses on school reform, governance, policy, and finance.

Our Students

Our doctoral students engage in research alongside Education Policy throughout the course of their degree. Learn more about our students and their research.

You May Be Interested In

Related programs.

• Education Policy M.S.Ed. 
• Education, Culture, and Society Ph.D. 
• Higher Education Ph.D. 
• Quantitative Methods M.Phil.Ed.
• Quantitative Methods Ph.D.
• Statistics, Measurement, Assessment, and Research Technology M.S.Ed.

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The Top 9 Fully Funded PhD Programs

If you’re concerned about grad school costs, you’re not alone. Even with financial aid, many students find themselves taking on large amounts of debt. However, there are a number of options that can cover most – if not all – of your doctorate costs.

Table of Contents

What Is a Fully Funded PhD Program?

“Fully funded” means that the university offers sufficient funding to cover tuition fees and even a stipend to cover other grad school expenses . To cover gaps, many institutions offer additional support in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and employment opportunities.

Though rare, some PhD programs offer full funding for all accepted students. Understandably, the admission process is highly competitive for fully funded PhD programs.

Students who don’t meet strict criteria – and aren’t offered full funding – will be expected to pay for their tuition and other study expenses. Most take some form of government funding to do so.

The Top 9 Fully Funded PhD Programs in the US

1. the university of chicago, the department of anthropology, phd in anthropology.

• Courses : Development of Social/Cultural Theory, Archeological Theory & method, and archeological data sets.
• Credits : 18 courses
• Delivery : On-campus
• Full funding : Full tuition, health insurance, and stipend (up to 9 years).
• Other support : Grants, fellowships, and teaching opportunities.
• Acceptance rate : 2.5%
• Location : Chicago, Illinois

With a culture that encourages independent thinking, the University of Chicago has produced more than 90 Nobel Prize winners and produced defining research in several fields. In this interdisciplinary PhD in Anthropology program, students can study with many of the university’s other departments, including: Political Science, History, and Comparative Human Development.

2. Harvard University, T. H. Chan School of Public Health

Phd program in biological sciences in public health  (bph).

• Courses : Biological sciences communications, principles of biostatistics & epidemiology, and computing environments for biology.
• Duration : Approximately 6 years
• Full funding : Stipend, tuition, and health insurance.
• Other support: Fellowships, awards, and grants.
• Acceptance rate: 6%
• Location:  Boston, Massachusetts

As the third-best university in the US , Harvard’s T. H. Chan School of Public Health has incredible prestige. With several specialized public health departments (e.g., Environmental Health, Health & Population, Epidemiology), this program also offers incredible flexibility. Students can courses from the Department of Public Health, Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS), and even MIT.

3. Stanford University, Graduate School of Education

Phd in curriculum studies and teacher education  (cte).

• Courses: Introduction to statistical methods in education, research in curriculum & teacher education, and statistical analysis in education.
• Credits:  135 units
• Duration: 4-5 years
• Delivery:  On-campus
• Full funding : Tuition aid, assistantship salary, and fellowship stipend (for 5 years).
• Other support : Grants, travel fellowships, and emergency funds.
• Location: Stanford, California

Stanford University tops the list  of the best universities for Education Policy Studies, making this one of the best options if you want to earn a PhD in Education. This doctorate is one of the top fully funded PhD programs in education and offers six specializations, including elementary education, teacher education, and science & environmental education.

Note : In addition to this on-campus PhD program, many recognized institutions also offer free online PhD programs in education .

4. Duke University, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Phd in literature.

• Courses: Wide range of literary topics, including African American Studies, modern European short fiction, gender studies, and more.
• Duration: 6-7 years
• Delivery: On-campus
• Full funding  includes: Tuition, fees, stipend, and health insurance.
• Other support: Grants, loans, childcare subsidies, and financial hardship aid.
• Location:  Durham, North Carolina

As one of the country’s most renowned private research institutions, Duke University has ten Nobel Laureates under its belt. Their PhD in Literature program encourages students to pursue both independent studies and inter-institutional courses from other affiliated universities. Students are able to take as many programs outside literature as they wish. Typically, all PhD students receive a “stipend, tuition, and fees support, plus six years of full coverage for health and dental insurance premiums.”

5. Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business

Phd in business.

• Courses:  Microeconomics, econometrics, theory, and dynamic optimization.
• Duration:  4 years +
• Full funding : Tuition waiver and $40,000 yearly stipend (earned as a research/teaching assistant).
• Other support:  Scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment.
• Location: Houston, Texas

Rice University is a well-known institution and is regularly recognized as one of the best business schools in the country. As part of its PhD in Business program, students can choose between one of four different concentrations: accounting, finance, organizational behavior, and strategic management.

Northwestern University, McCormick School of Engineering

Phd in biomedical engineering.

• Courses:  Experimental design & measurement, biological performance of materials, and advanced physical & applied optics.
• Duration: 5-6 years
• Full funding : Tuition scholarship and stipend.
• Other support: Fellowships, grants, assistantships, loans, and veteran benefits.
• Acceptance rate: 15%
• Location: Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University is renowned for excellence across numerous disciplines, and its biomedical engineering (BME) program was among the first of its kind. The school offers a wide range of courses, from cell and molecular engineering, medical devices and instrumental, neural engineering, and more.

7. Columbia University, Teachers College

Phd in clinical psychology.

• Courses:  Brain & behavior, social problems for clinical psychologists, and personality & behavior change.
• Credits: 95
• Duration: 5 years (at least four years of residency)
• Full funding : Tuition, stipend, and health fees (up to 4 years).
• Other support:  Scholarships, grants, fellowships, federal work-study, assistantships, and loans.
• Acceptance rate:  7%
• Location:  New York City, New York

Columbia University offers a leading clinical psychology PhD program that focuses on the intersection between education, psychology, and health. Their fully funded, need-blind “Doctoral Fellowship” is given to incoming students for three years, in addition to financial aid in the fourth year (i.e., a $25,000 stipend). PhD students who receive this scholarship may be asked to work as research assistants or graduate teachers.

8. California Institute of Technology, Division of Engineering & Applied Science

Graduate degree in computer science.

• Courses:  Functional programming, computability theory, and advanced digital systems design.
• Credits: 54 units
• Duration: 3+ years of residence
• Full funding : Tuition charges and stipends.
• Other support: Grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study.
• Acceptance rate: 7%
• Location: Pasadena, California

Caltech is a huge name in technology education, with over fifty cutting-edge research centers and laboratories. This includes NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and astronomical observatories around the globe. To manage their rigorous course load, graduate students of the computer science program receive full tuition and a stipend of $45,000 .

9. Emory University, College of Arts and Sciences

Ph.D. in Economics

• Courses: Microeconomic theory, health economics, and market structure & imperfect competition.
• Credits: 55
• Duration: 4-6 years
• Full funding : Tuition, stipend, health insurance subsidy, and professional development support.
• Other support:  Grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment.
• Acceptance rate: 19%
• Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University provides a liberal arts college’s atmosphere and opportunities combined with an urban research university’s facilities. This cross-registration program allows students to take classes at the university’s partner institutions, including Georgia Tech and Georgia State University, alongside their in-house courses.

Can I Earn a Free PhD Degree Online?

If you aren’t eligible for a fully funded program, that’s okay! We’ve written an article outlining the most affordable online PhD programs , the benefits, and how to apply to them!

Key Takeaways

Many US universities – including some of the country’s top institution – offer fully funded PhD programs and tuition-free online programs across various disciplines. You’ll just need to demonstrate that you’re eligible for the program through your academic performance and merit.

Once you qualify for full PhD funding, congratulate yourself on a job well done!

If you’re still weighing your options, did you know there are 1-year PhD programs online ?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a phd be free.

Yes. Eligible students can obtain a doctorate for free if a university offers fully funded PhD programs.

How Do I Get a Fully Funded PhD?

To qualify for a fully funded PhD, you’ll be required to meet certain criteria and put together a strong application. You’ll also need to have an excellent undergraduate academic record, recommendation letters, persuasive personal essay, and graduate school entry exam scores .

Fully funded PhDs are incredibly competitive, so it’s important to plan ahead. As an undergraduate student, identify your dream school, and be sure to check the requirements and eligibility criteria. Next, work hard to meet these requirements – and set yourself apart – throughout your undergraduate studies.

Can I Study a PhD in the USA for Free?

Yes. Many US universities offer opportunities to obtain a PhD for free. For example, fully funded doctoral programs will cover your tuition and expenses. Free PhD programs don’t have tuition fees but students are responsible for covering their own expenses.

However, if you aren’t successful in securing a fully funded PhD and don’t like the free options, there are plenty of other ways to pay for grad school .

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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Higher Education: Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Education

The Ph.D. in education with a concentration in higher education develops scholars who are able to conduct original research and interpret and communicate the results of such research through writing, teaching, practice, and other means.

At a Glance

Program results.

Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Education

–Higher Education

Career Objective

This program prepares graduates to pursue faculty careers or become senior administrators in colleges and universities.

Best Suited To

Highly qualified scholar-researchers who are interested in working in fields where the emphasis is on the production and communication of scholarship.

Program Type

Estimated length.

2-3 full years for coursework, plus dissertation research.

Application Deadline

The Ph.D. in education with a concentration in higher education is not accepting applications for fall 2025 but will accept applications for fall 2026.

About This Program

The School of Education and Human Development's Ph.D. in education with a concentration higher education program prepares graduates to pursue faculty careers or become senior administrators in colleges and universities. This is a research-based, full-time program that is offered in Charlottesville only.

Ph.D. students complete a program of study that includes at least 60 hours of coursework (excluding dissertation credit). Acceptance of up to 24 hours of transfer credit from a student’s master’s degree program or from post-master’s work completed at another institution is determined on an individual basis by the student’s advisor and the program head. The program coordinator may exempt students from required courses that they have already taken.

In addition to a required set of core courses in higher education (12 credits) and a minor in research methods (18 credits), the Ph.D. student is also required to complete elective coursework in higher education (12 credits). A content minor (12 credits), chosen with the advice and consent of the student’s advisor and organized around a theme or set of questions, is also required for the Ph.D. Courses for the content minor may be taken outside of the program and the School of Education and Human Development. Typical content minor concentrations include (but are not limited to) higher education policy, economics of higher education, politics of higher education, student affairs in higher education, organization and governance of higher education, and social foundations of higher education.

Ph.D. students are required to complete ten hours of mentored research per week each semester they are enrolled. Internship placements (paid, ten to twenty hours per week) can be arranged within the University of Virginia and at cooperating colleges and universities, other postsecondary agencies, or institutes. Research assistantships may also be available.

• Request Information

Program Overview

Admission requirements.

Admission requirements that apply specifically to this program are listed below:

• Statement of purpose (3-5 pages, speaks to reasons for pursuing the degree, including academic and professional goals)
• Writing sample (typically a paper written during Master’s program)
• Applicants are welcome but are not required to come to the School of Education and Human Development for an interview. To schedule an interview or campus visit, please reach out to the contact at the bottom of this page.

Visit our  Graduate Admission  page for the full admission process.

Graduate Admission

Application for admission is made to the School of Education and Human Development Office of Admission & Enrollment. For more information about the graduate admission process, please visit our Graduate Admission page.

To learn more about specific courses taken as part of the completion of this degree, visit the graduate record website. These webpages represent the official repository for academic program requirements. A link to these publications can be found in the Curriculum Information section at the bottom of this page.

Total hours required 72 Course credit hours required 60

Core (12 credits)

• EDLF 8665 Contemporary Issues in Higher Education
• EDLF 8654 Organization and Governance in Higher Education
• EDLF 8640 Inequality in Higher Education
• EDLF 8662 Politics and Education

Higher Education Electives (12 credits minimum) Coursework should be distributed between three categories (minimum 1 course per category)

• Student Experience/Student Development
• History, Philosophy, and Contexts
• Governance and Policy 

Research Courses (18 credits required)

Content Minor (minimum 12 credits) Students may take their content minor courses outside the program and the School of Education and Human Development, or they may choose courses from other School of Education and Human Development programs. The minor is meant to supply the student with substantive knowledge of and a theoretical grounding in an area that might be the topic of the dissertation. Courses to be taken for minor credit must be negotiated with and approved by the student’s advisor.

Dissertation (minimum 12 credits) EDLF 9999 Doctoral Dissertation (may be repeated for credit)

Course Descriptions

Information on courses that are part of the Ph.D. in Education-Higher Education curriculum can be found on the UVA graduate record website.

Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship

There is a pressing need to address and eradicate racial injustice from institutions of higher education across the country. The most effective responses to this complex situation are informed by collaboration among scientists, social scientists and humanists. Mutual insights from psychology, sociology, public policy, and higher education are further enriched and deepened through their intersection with the study of anthropology, culture, economics, history, politics and spatial planning. Training researchers across these areas will advance the development of meaningful interventions in the higher education environment, refine our ability to assess these interventions quantitatively and qualitatively, and enhance our opportunity to engage public audiences on this topic. Doctoral students with this background will be better positioned to pursue research careers in academe and a variety of employment sectors.

Race and Inequality in Higher Education Fellowship Website

Although students will apply to the Ph.D. in Education-Higher Education program, more information regarding the fellowship can be found on The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences website.

Additional Program Details

Departmental fellowships and assistantships are provided to a select number of applicants each year. A typical funding package includes funding for nine months in a combination of wages and stipends, tuition and all mandatory fees, and funds to cover student health insurance costs. The University also offers a limited number of competitive fellowships for which students enrolled in Ph.D. programs may apply.

Visit the  Fellowships, Scholarships, and Awards  page for additional funding opportunities.

In 2024, the UVA School of Education & Human Development is ranked #8 for best graduate schools of education in the country by U.S. News and World Report.

The school is ranked #18 in higher education for graduate schools of education.

Higher Education News

Higher Education Alumni Reunion Celebrates Legacy and Community

Six decades of Higher Education alumni gathered to celebrate the program’s five founders and launch a fund supporting new community-building initiatives.

Program Faculty

Juan C. Garibay

• Associate Professor

Karen Kurotsuchi Inkelas

• Professor of Education

Brian Pusser

Christian L. Steinmetz

• Assistant Professor

Current Ph.D. Students

Below are some current students in this program. Prospective students are encouraged to reach out to current students via email to inquire about the program experience.

Jesse McCain

• Ph.D. Student

Danielle A. Moore-Lewis

Christian P.L. West

The following faculty proposed the theme for an interdisciplinary doctoral fellowship program and are committed to co-mentoring students. Please contact them with questions about the research cluster or to discuss your research interests.

• 434-924-3180
• [email protected]

Ridley Hall 286 PO Box 400265 405 Emmet Street S Charlottesville, VA 22903

Josipa Roksa

• 434-924-6528

PO Box 400766 445 Rugby Rd Charlottesville, VA 22903

• 434-243-6461

Ridley Hall 288 PO Box 400265 405 Emmet Street S Charlottesville, VA 22903

Admission & Enrollment

Engaging with prospective students and families on the process of applying to our school.

• 434-924-0742
• Ridley Hall 102
• Monday-Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Search this site

College of education menu, college of education, phd in special education.

Fully Funded    |    Impressive Research   |    SPED Handbook    |    Information Session    |    Apply Now

Learn from leading researchers in the field of special education 

Our nationally ranked University of Oregon Special Education program has a track record of preparing graduates to stand out in their careers and improve educational practices. The research, resources, and practices our program faculty conduct impacts the field of education in the US and globally.

Our doctoral training experience is unique and individualized. Our program competencies (see handbook ) are designed to support you to develop expertise in the domains of teaching, service, and research. Working with your advisor and other program faculty, you will create a plan that will provide you expertise in the areas you are interested in studying while being exposed to all of the service and research experiences our program and COE faculty conduct.

Our program faculty teach and research a wide range of topics in the field of special education (e.g., dual language learners, assessment, autism, social emotional learning, early childhood, behavioral analysis, post-school community engagement, instruction, equity in school discipline, etc.) with a critical eye toward improving systems and practices to promote equity in educational outcomes for all students. We typically admit 4-8 students a year to work as a cohort to maximize your learning and experiences.

All admitted students receive four years of funding (including tuition and health insurance coverage).

New Training Opportunity! Project LMAESTRO will prepare future special education leaders in research, practitioner preparation, and community collaboration focused on:

• supporting young children with special needs including children with autism
• implementation science
• culturally and linguistically responsive practices

Accepted students will receive full tuition, insurance, and a stipend plus:

• Mentorship and training opportunities with autism experts across our project network
• Community partnered research and practical training opportunities

For more information on LMAESTRO, contact Dr. Stephanie Shire [email protected]

Information Session

Want to learn more? Didn't get a chance to attend our info session Monday, October 23, 2023? That's okay, we've got you covered! Watch a recorded information session to learn more about the doctoral degree program.

View Info Session PowerPoint

We have a proven track record of students completing in less than 5 years and our graduates obtain leadership positions in the following areas:

What our students are saying .

Why did you choose to come to the UO?       “I saw an opportunity to work with UO faculty members who are making a tremendous impact in the local and global communities.”

--Rikki Wheatley, Current third year doctoral student

What projects are you excited to work on?      The SIMPLE grant - Dr. James Sinclair focusing on mental health supports and integration of mental health for high school students with disabilities.

--Current second year doctoral student

Check out the impressive research our students are doing by visiting the Doctoral Ducks research site: https://blogs.uoregon.edu/speddoc/ .

Graduate student showcase .

Meet our Special Education program graduate students and learn about their varied background, research interests, and future aspirations.

Graduate Student Showcase

Unique and Individualized Doctoral Training Experience

• Individualized plan of study: Our program competencies (see handbook) are designed to support each candidate to develop expertise in the domains of university teaching, service, and research. How a candidate satisfies each competency is individualized to the candidate’s interests in collaboration with program faculty. 
• Collaborative Learning Environment: Each year approximately 4-8 students are accepted and work with one another using a cohort approach to create a collaborative and supportive learning experience.

SPED PhD Handbook

Find A Degree

Top 20 Fully Funded PhDs in Education

Phd program rankings.

• Fully Funded PhDs in Education
• Doctor of Nursing Education
• Ph.D.: No Application Fees
• No-GRE Online Ph.D. in Psychology
• No-GRE Online Ph.D. Programs
• Fast Online Doctoral (Ph.D. and Ed.D.)
• The Most Affordable Online DBA
• Doctorate in Public Policy/Administration
• Doctor of ABA
• Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
• Doctorate in Marketing
• ALL Ph.D. Degree Program Rankings

Career Guides

• Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
• Aerospace Engineering
• Behavioral Health (D.B.H.)
• Chemical Engineering (PhD CE)
• Chemistry (D.Chem.)
• Clinical Nutrition (D.C.N.)
• Speech-Language Pathology (CScD)
• Criminology (D.Crim.)
• Economics (DEc)
• Health Science (D.H.S./D.H.Sci)
• Library Science (D.L.S.)
• Molecular Biology (Phd Mol Biol)
• Occupational Safety and Health (D.O.S.H.)
• Physics (Ph.D. Physics)
• ALL PhD Career Guides

Valuable Resources

• Best Laptops for Ph.D. Students
• Gift Ideas for Ph.D. Students
• Burnout & Chronic Stress
• The Key to Free Grad School
• Ph.D. Guide for International and Domestic Students
• Habits Of Highly Effective Leaders
• Online Doctorate Reputation
• Journals for Ph.D. Students
• Earning a PhD
• Write a Perfect Essay Like a PhD
• Master’s Degree As a Bridge To Ph.D.
• Self-Funding Your PhD
• Importance of Accreditation
• Online Ph.D. Support Groups
• Getting Accepted to an Online Ph.D.
• Common Fears of Ph.D. Students
• Habits of Successful People
• US Doctoral Degrees
• ALL VALUABLE RESOURCES

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why earn a Doctorate Degree?
• What are the Ph.D. Admission Requirements?
• How Much Does a Ph.D. Cost?
• How many years will it take for me to achieve my doctorate degree online?
• Do online doctorate degree programs require campus visits?
• Ph.D. vs. Doctorate
• ALL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
• Highest-Paying Doctoral Degrees
• Famous Ph.D. Theses In History
• Struggles Only a Ph.D. Student Would Understand
• Ph.D. Requiring Residencies
• The World’s Richest Doctors
• Academic Conferences
• Most Popular PhD Degrees
• ALL Ph.D. Highlights

Fully funding one’s Ph.D. means paying nothing out of pocket for one of the most valuable things in the world – a well-trained mind. When studying education, learning about life in its different aspects is a gift that is given to the next generation of children, future teachers, scholars, and researchers.

The 20 schools on this list have gradually become the top education schools in the country with faculty who know what it’s like to succeed…and every Ph.D. program on the list offers full funding.

Methodology

This list of doctoral programs, offering the Top 20 Fully Funded PhDs in Education , gives education professionals needed information on where they can find the best fully funded Ph.D. programs in education to help them expand and enhance their careers as educators and administrators .

The programs are listed in random order. They are not in a ranked order because each program has its own strengths. Consider each program individually to determine which one is right for you.

Each fully funded Ph.D. in education is a quality program. Inclusion in this list is based on the following findings:

• 100% fully funded degree program for high-achieving applicants;
• Coursework is designed to prepare professional educators and education administrators to transition into top positions of education practice and leadership;
• Courses are prepared and delivered by top faculty in a top degree program;
• Appropriately accredited;
• A dissertation will be required.

To delve deeper, please see our Methodology page.

Top Fully Funded Ph.D. Programs

Indiana university – bloomington.

Education Program Standouts: The doctor of education programs at the School of Education at Indiana University – Bloomington are some of the highest-ranking graduate education programs included in both US News and World Report as well as Times Higher Education.

The IU School of Education is dedicated to preparing its graduate students for careers in government, technology, schools, and public institutions. The doctoral degrees in education are geared toward creative, technological, and leadership training.

Campus Location: Bloomington, Indiana

Accreditation:

• Higher Learning Commission
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Doctorate of Education Degrees and Concentrations:

• Specialization in Art Education
• Specialization in Curriculum Studies
• Specialization in Mathematics Education
• EdD in Educational Leadership
• PhD or EdD in Higher Education
• PhD in History, Philosophy and Policy in Education
• PhD or EdD in Instructional Systems Technology (EdD also offered online)
• PhD in Special Education

Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• GPA (minimum GPA varies from program to program)
• Personal Goal Statement
• Official Transcripts
• Letters of Recommendation
• TOEFL scores (International Students)

Full Funding Options: Fellowships that offer full funding in the education doctoral programs at Indiana University Bloomington include the Dean’s Fellowship, Faculty Doctoral Fellowship, Proffitt Fellowship, and Malvina McNeill Fellowship.

Also, five different fellowships are offered to graduate students in the School of Education at IU Bloomington for members of underrepresented populations, three of which offer full funding. Department-specific funding may also be available.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTORAL DEGREES IN EDUCATION AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Education Program Standouts: Michigan State University’s College of Education has developed some of the top PhD programs in the country. The education doctoral programs prepare leaders in education to deal with current challenges and address modern educational needs.

According to their website, Michigan State University’s “internationally known faculty members construct rigorous opportunities for advanced study, mentor students and engage in millions of dollars of funded research.”

According to the US News and World Report ranking of education graduation programs, in both elementary and secondary education, the University of Michigan has ranked number one in the country for over consecutive years.

Campus Location: Lansing, Michigan

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

• Curriculum, Instruction and Teacher Education
• Educational Leadership
• Educational Policy
• Educational Psychology and Education Technology
• Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education
• K-12 Educational Administration
• Kinesiology
• Mathematics Education
• Measurement and Quantitative Methods
• Rehabilitation Counselor Education
• School Psychology
• Special Education
• Current Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Professional Goals
• Writing Sample
• Letters of Reference
• Transcripts

Full Funding Options: While pursuing the educational doctorate at Michigan State University a variety of options are available for full tuition funding.

Graduate assistantships, the MSU Fellowship program which offers five years of funding along with a stipend and research funding for enrolled students are all available for graduate students who pursue the doctorate in education at Michigan State.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTORATES IN EDUCATION AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Boston college.

Education Program Standouts: Offering some of the top education doctoral programs in the country, The Lynch School of Education and Human Development is consistent in its inclusion in top programs of education in the U.S. and worldwide.

Named as the #1 Catholic school of education by U.S. News and World Report and offering $15.9 million a year in research funding, the Lynch school is defined by active inner support and looks to offer the best success to the schools and people they serve.

The Lynch School is planning to launch four brand-new interdisciplinary minors into their existing education programs.

Campus Location: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

• New England Commission of Higher Education
• PhD in Counseling Psychology
• PhD in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology
• PhD in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics and Assessment
• PhD in Higher Education
• PhD in Educational Leadership
• PhD in Curriculum and Instruction
• Grades (graduate and undergraduate)
• Research experience
• Personal statement
• Resume or CV
• Letters of recommendation
• Writing sample

Full Funding Options: The Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College offers numerous fellowships for graduate students studying education including the Barry Fellowship and Duvjnak Fellowship which offer tuition remission. Also available at The Lynch School are many graduate assistantships, in fact, 361 assistantship programs are offered for graduate students across campus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS IN EDUCATION AT BOSTON COLLEGE

Harvard university.

Education Program Standouts: Harvard Graduate School of Education has one of the very top PhD in Education degree programs in the country. Harvard is currently ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the number one school of education.

With a long and outstanding reputation for excellence, Harvard also provides options for full funding to doctoral students which makes a Harvard Doctorate accessible.

Campus Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

• Culture, Institutions and Society
• Education Policy and Program Evaluation
• Human Development, Learning and Teaching
• Resume and Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Purpose
• Three letters of recommendation
• Standardized test scores
• Postsecondary transcripts
• Supplemental form for the PhD in Education

Full Funding Options: Through the Graduate School of Education, Harvard University’s Doctor of Education programs can be fully funded through such fellowships as the James Bryant Conan Fellowship.

Those who are accepted into the Doctor of Educational Leadership degree program can expect a full tuition waiver. A number of other fellowships and grants are offered to assist students in obtaining a doctoral degree in education from Harvard.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHD IN EDUCATION FROM HARVARD UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

Education Program Standouts: The University of Virginia has one of the top education programs, according to U.S. News and World Report. Ranked #17 overall in Best Education Schools as well as #4 for Special Education Specialty Ranking, The Curry School of Education and Human Development has made a name for itself in the world of education and educators.

Their missions are two-fold, to prepare students to work in education from kindergarten through college and to conduct scholarship and research that directly addresses the problems of education today.

Campus Location: Charlottesville, VA

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
• Inquiry Brief Commission of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

Doctor of Education Degrees and Concentrations:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Reading Education
• Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction
• Doctor of Philosophy in English Education
• Doctor of Philosophy in Gifted Education
• Doctor of Philosophy in Language Education in Multilingual Contexts
• Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Education
• Doctor of Philosophy in Social Studies Education
• Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education
• Statement of purpose
• Possible master’s degree

Full Funding Options: The University of Virginia Curry School of Education and Human Development offers full funding, such as the Dean’s Fellowship, for PhD students.

The Dean’s Fellowship offers four years of full tuition and fees, health insurance and a $32,000 yearly stipend. Full-time doctoral applicants to the University of Virginia are automatically considered for the Dean’s Fellowship.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FULLY FUNDED PHDS IN EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

University of california berkeley.

Education Program Standouts: The Graduate School of Education at the University of California Berkeley has top-ranked quality and offers PhDs in Education that promote research in areas such as Critical Studies of Race, Class, and Gender; Culture, Development and the Learning Sciences and Social Research Methodologies.

The Graduate School of Education at Berkeley grounds itself in theory and practice equally along with an emphasis on making a positive impact on social transformation and personal growth.

Campus Location: Berkeley, California

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges

• Doctor of Philosophy in Education
• Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education
• Doctor of Philosophy in Science and Mathematics Education
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Satisfactory scholastic average, usually a 3.0
• Enough undergraduate training to do graduate work

Full Funding Options: The Mentored Research Award and the UC Dissertation-Year Fellowship along with the Doctoral Completion Fellowship grant students in the Educational Doctoral programs full funding along with a stipend to assist them in completing their doctorates.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY

University of pennsylvania.

Education Program Standouts: The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education grants students seeking a top doctor of education degree the opportunity to do so with full funding. With an emphasis on both high-quality research and the building of practical knowledge building. The alumni at the University of Pennsylvania are recognized as some of the “most influential education leaders.”

Campus Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degrees and Concentrations:

• PhD in Education, Culture and Society
• PhD in Education Policy
• PhD in Educational Linguistics
• PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Development
• PhD in Learning Sciences and Technologies
• PhD in Quantitative Methods
• PhD in Reading/Writing/Literacy
• PhD in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education
• Official Test Scores
• Application Fee

Full Funding Options: All PhD students at the University of Pennsylvania are granted a full-time four-year fellowship that includes a stipend and student health insurance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHDS IN EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

University of washington.

Education Program Standouts: The Doctor of Philosophy program is a part of the College of Education at the University of Washington. Offering one of the best doctorates in education programs in the country, the University of Washington College of Education is currently ranked No. 3 in Education Schools at Public Universities.

The programs include continuous research, a comprehensive foundation in academics as well as teaching experience.

Campus Location: Seattle, Washington

Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

• Curriculum and Instruction: Excellence in Content Instruction
• Educational Organizations, Leadership, & Policy Studies
• Leadership in Higher Education
• Learning Sciences & Human Development
• Measurement & Statistics
• Multicultural Education
• Social & Cultural Foundations
• Teacher Quality & Teacher Education
• Unofficial transcripts
• Goal statement/statement of purpose
• Resume/Vita

Full Funding Options: The College of Education at the University of Washington offers around 120 teaching, research and staff assistantship positions to graduate students every year. Those who will be primarily considered have a strong background in teaching, research or administration.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Stanford university.

Education Program Standouts: Ranked #3 by US News and World Report, Stanford University offers one of the best PhD in education programs in the country.

The Stanford Graduate School of Education prepares the next generation of education researchers under the guidance of top academic faculty and advisors.

Campus Location: Stanford, California

• Interdisciplinary Policy Studies in Education
• Cross-Area Specialization – Race, Inequality and Language in Education
• Elementary Education
• Literacy, Language and English Education
• History/Social Science Education
• Science Education
• Teacher Education
• Application fee and form
• 3 letters of recommendation
• College and university transcripts

Full Funding Options: All PhD applicants accepted at Stanford are guaranteed 5 years of full-time financial support. Around 20% of the doctoral students at Stanford University are awarded the Stanford Graduate Fellowship in the first year of their doctoral program.

This fellowship offers 11 academic quarters of funding for graduate students. Students awarded these fellowships are part of faculty research and assist with courses through their apprenticeship requirements. Other grants and fellowships are also offered at Stanford.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHD IN EDUCATION AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY

University of texas – austin.

Education Program Standouts: The University of Texas – Austin College of Education ranks highly among the top doctoral education programs. According to their website, “The College of Education’s signature impact areas align the college’s strengths with essential needs in the fields of education in Texas and beyond.

They represent the major goals of the College of Education and help to determine how we will align the college’s resources to reach our vision.”

Campus Location: Austin, Texas

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

• PhD in Education Leadership and Policy
• PhD in Educational Psychology – Counseling
• PhD in Education Psychology – Human Development, Culture, and Learning Sciences
• Application and Fee
• GRE and GMAT

Full Funding Options: Fellowships are available for graduate students attending the University of Texas – Austin. One of the fellowships available is the Donald D. Harrington Recruitment Fellowship which offers up to 3 years of tuition remission along with a stipend.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

University of california – la.

Education Program Standouts: Named the #1 Graduate School of Education and Information Studies by US News and World Report for 2019, UCLA’s Graduate School has proved its commitment to new practice, groundbreaking research and award-winning faculty in order to offer some of the best doctorates in education available in the country.

Campus Location: Los Angeles, California

• Application and fee
• Diversity Statement
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree (check individual program requirements)

Full Funding Options: Students entering the UCLA doctoral programs may receive full funding for the entirety of their doctoral studies. If they do not, there are a number of fellowships, grants and assistantships that may be applied for.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHD IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA – LA

University of michigan – ann arbor.

Education Program Standouts: The doctoral programs at The University of Michigan School of Education are designed to produce leaders in advanced education who are able to think rigorously, know the craft of research and make a difference in the future of education. With many concentrations, the PhD in Education is tailored to the unique interests and research of each student.

Campus Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

• Educational Policy, Leadership and Innovation
• Educational Foundations and Policy
• Learning Technologies
• Literacy, Language and Culture
• Teaching and Teacher Education
• Education and Statistics
• English and Education
• Education and Psychology
• Academic Affairs and Student Development
• Research, Evaluation, and Assessment
• Organizational Behavior and Management
• Public Policy in Postsecondary Education
• Individually Designed Concentration

Full Funding Options: The majority of students in the doctoral programs at the University of Michigan School of Education receive a minimum of four years of full funding. This includes a stipend for living expenses along with health insurance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTORATE OF EDUCATION DEGREES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN – ANN ARBOR

University of wisconsin – madison.

Education Program Standouts: Ranked #1 among Public Schools in Education by US News World Report, the School of Education at The University of Wisconsin – Madison offers graduate programs in more than 12 areas which include occupational therapy, fine art and educational policy studies among others.

The School of Education provides some of the best doctorate of education degree programs for those who want to pursue a career in educational research.

Campus Location: Madison, Wisconsin

• 12 credits in professional education courses
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of reasons for graduate study

Full Funding Options: The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers doctoral students assistantships and fellowships, many of which cover the full cost of tuition and include a stipend.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PHD IN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON

Columbia university.

Education Program Standouts: Teacher’s College at Columbia University, ranked #7 by US News and World Report of all graduate education schools, was founded “on the proposition that education alone can’t correct our society’s inequalities.”

In spite of being one of the top educational programs in the country, the Teacher’s College focus is on maximizing “the life chances of all people.”

Campus Location: New York City, New York

• Education Leadership
• Economics and Education
• Education Policy
• Politics and Education
• Cognitive Science and Education
• History and Education
• Philosophy and Education
• English Education
• Sociology and Education
• Mathematics and Education
• Online application form
• Two letters of recommendation
• Program-specific supplemental materials

Full Funding Options: Teacher’s College at Columbia University offers scholarships, research assistantships, fellowships, and grants which can cover the full cost of tuition for their PhDs in Education.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHD IN EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAMS AT TEACHER’S COLLEGE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Vanderbilt university.

Education Program Standouts: Peabody College Vanderbilt University offers some of the top PhD programs in the field of education. Dating back to 1785, Peabody has been ranked in the top positions by US News and World Report for the last 10 years and is currently ranked number 6 in Best Education Schools.

The mission of Peabody is to better the human condition and focus on the learning and development of children.

Campus Location: Nashville, Tennessee

• Specialization in K-12 Educational Leadership and Policy
• Specialization in Higher Education Leadership and Policy
• Early Childhood
• High Incidence Disabilities
• Learning Disabilities
• Low-Incidence Disabilities
• Severe and Multiple Disabilities
• Visual and Hearing Impairments
• Development, Learning and Disability
• Language, Literacy and Culture
• Mathematics and Science Education
• Learning and Design
• Educational Neuroscience
• Online application
• Scholarly writing sample

Full Funding Options: All admitted students into a PhD program at Vanderbilt University Peabody College receive funding for up to 5 years of study. This includes tuition, a monthly stipend and health insurance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EDUCATION DOCTORATE AT PEABODY COLLEGE VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

Johns hopkins university.

Education Program Standouts: The Doctorate of Philosophy in Education at Johns Hopkins University is part of a school of education that is only improving in its reputation for success. Jumping up 10 spots this last year in the rankings of US News and World Report for Best Graduate Schools, Johns Hopkins deserves recognition for its advancement.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in education is designed for students who are interested in becoming scholars equipped to address the modern challenges of education and improve pre-K-12 learning outcomes.

Campus Location: Baltimore, Maryland

• Master’s degree from an accredited university
• Official transcripts

Full Funding Options: Full tuition assistance along with a stipend is available to outstanding students who are accepted to the Doctor of Philosophy in Education degree program.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION FROM JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

Arizona state university.

Education Program Standouts: Educational policy and evaluation students work closely with nationally and internationally recognized faculty members on collaborative and independent research projects that result in policy briefs, reports, scholarly articles and engagement in education policy.

The program also provides opportunities for internships in applied settings and varied experiences in scholarly publishing.

Campus Location: Tempe, Arizona

• Educational Policy and Evaluation
• Learning, Literacies and Technologies

Full Funding Options: Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College supports full-time students in the PhD program with funding renewable for four years.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHD PROGRAMS IN EDUCATION AT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

New york university.

Education Program Standouts: The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development includes 10 departments and over 30 degree programs. The quality of the PhD doctoral students is a source of pride to Steinhardt which they strive to maintain. The doctoral graduates from Steinhardt are continuously known as leaders and innovators in their field.

Campus Location: New York, New York

• Bilingual Education
• Education and Jewish Studies
• Educational Communication and Technology
• Educational Theatre
• Higher and Postsecondary Education
• History of Education
• International Education
• Music Education
• Sociology of Education
• Teaching and Learning

Full Funding Options: Full-time Steinhardt PhD students are eligible for full-time tuition remission along with a stipend to help with living expenses.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREES IN EDUCATION AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY STEINHARDT

Northwestern university.

Education Program Standouts: Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, perhaps more than the other schools on the list, emphasizes a wide variety of disciplines and brings them into harmony.

Their PhD in Learning Sciences along with the PhD in Computer Science and Learning Sciences studies many channels of inquiry including individuals, groups, and organizations to make discoveries that revolutionize the education world.

Campus Location: Evanston, Illinois

• PhD in Learning Sciences
• PhD in Computer Science and Learning Sciences
• Optional GRE scores

Full Funding Options: All students accepted into the Ph.D. programs at Northwestern University receive full tuition with an academic year stipend for five years contingent on progress.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHDS IN EDUCATION AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

What does it mean to say a degree is “fully funded? “

The very term “fully funded” or “full funding” when said of a doctoral degree program can be misunderstood. It can mean everything related to the degree program is paid for by someone other than the student—most often the university. Put simply, the student does not have out-of-pocket expenses for their degree program.

Better doctoral degree programs mean more than tuition remission and funding of other degree-related costs, such as various fees that arise. Top doctoral degree programs, most often when discussing fully funded degrees or full funding for a doctoral program, will cover not only the cost of tuition and degree-related expenses.

Fully funded degrees, in this second sense, will also provide doctoral students with a stipend, above and beyond strictly degree-related costs, to be used for living expenses while in the doctoral degree program. This is the goal that potential doctoral degree students looking for when applying to doctoral degrees that are “fully funded” or offer “full funding.”

So, be sure to be clear about what is meant when using the language of fully funded and full funding. The specifics of what funding includes and how it is divided up and divvied out can vary. Let’s take a look at some of these questions.

What is funded in a fully funded degree?

In a fully-funded degree that covers only tuition, fees, and degree-related expenses, only the actual cost of the degree is covered. In better doctoral degree programs, tuition and fees are covered. As nice as this is, in addition to tuition, the funding package will include a living expenses stipend, above and beyond tuition cost as well as a health insurance program for doctoral students.

Normally, funding lasts between 3 and 5 years with the goal of the timely and fully funded completion of the doctoral program within the term of the funding package. Universities invest a good deal of money in their doctoral students, so they want their fully-funded students to finish. Moreover, “failed” doctoral students don’t look good to potential future students or potential donors.

Successfully new doctors make the university, department, and faculty look good. Put in the work, and good departments and faculty will do everything they can to help you finish your fully funded doctorate.

Here’s a breakdown of what is commonly covered in top fully funded doctorate:

• Full-time Tuition
• Related Fees
• Stipend for Living Expenses
• Student Health Insurance

What do I have to do for a fully funded degree?

Fully funded doctorates, almost without exception, require the student to be enrolled in a doctoral program as a full-time student in order to maintain their funding. Also, depending upon department standards, students with full funding must keep their grade point average above a certain level to keep their funding.

As we have already discovered, “fully funded” and “full funding” can vary in meaning. For those doctoral programs that cover tuition and fees, as well as provide a stipend and health insurance, how the students receive this funding and the funding schedule can differ.

• Fellowships
• Assistantships: Research or Teaching
• External Funding Sources: Scholarships
• Travel and Research Grants

The “Gold Standard” for full funding will be awarded a Fellowship. Fellowships are normally quite competitive and limited to a small number. They are awarded on a merit basis. Those who have been awarded a fellowship receive full tuition, a stipend (usually more than other fully funded degrees), and health insurance.

Beyond showing up for class and performing well, no other extracurricular demands are made upon the student. This is a great benefit for doctoral students, given the intense demands doctoral studies make.

Instead of being required to fulfill certain funding obligations to maintain their funding package (see below), students with a fellowship can spend more time researching, presenting at conferences, and publishing their work. This can serve as an important head start in relation to their doctoral student peers who are not able to network and publish as much because of funding obligations.

Another way in which doctoral degrees are fully funded is through assistantships. Though not as great as a fellowship, an assistantship is also highly coveted. If you have been awarded an assistantship, as with a fellowship, you are guaranteed that your tuition will be covered, you will have a stipend, and health insurance coverage during your doctoral studies.

The downside of an assistantship in comparison with a fellowship is that you will have to devote twelve to twenty hours on average per week to earning your stipend. Assistantships usually come in the form of research or teaching assistantships.

A research assistantship is often more highly desired because it normally will be less demanding than a teaching assistantship and allows the doctoral student to work directly with a faculty member, helping them in their research and learning the discipline firsthand.

A teaching assistantship will usually require a doctoral student to teach one course per semester during the course of their doctoral studies.

In the absence of or in addition to doctoral fellowships and assistantships, internal and external scholarships may be available to doctoral students. Scholarships are awarded for a host of reasons. Those interested in scholarships should contact schools they are interested in, as well as research the internet for potential sources of funding through scholarships.

Travel and research grants are often offered to doctoral students in order to cover travel expenses incurred in the course of presenting at conferences during the doctoral program and/or additional expenses that research might entail for the doctoral student. The availability of such funding can be found through departmental representatives.

How much money is a fully funded degree worth?

Earlier, we mentioned that universities and faculties want their fully-funded doctoral students to succeed and finish their degrees. One reason was just how much money is invested in a doctoral student. Let’s take a look at what a doctoral degree is worth.

• Average Yearly Doctoral Tuition: $32,800
• Average Yearly (Median) Doctoral Stipend: $2800
• Average Yearly (Median) Health Insurance Costs for College Students: $2,000

Full funding in a doctoral program normally lasts three to five years. Let’s take four as the average and multiply the monetary equivalent of what the fully-funded doctoral student receives over the four years of funding. We arrive at a quite staggering amount of $264,000! On average, a fully funded doctorate is worth a little over a quarter of a million dollars!

Can I find a fully funded online doctoral degree program?

Fully funded online doctorates are a rarity. It might be going too far to say there are absolutely zero fully funded online doctorates, but such would be the great exceptions.

Some of the reasons why fully-funded online doctorates are almost as uncommon as the dodo bird stems from the fact that most fully-funded doctoral students are employees of their universities and departments through teaching and research assistantships.

Another contributing factor for why there are so few online doctorates that offer full funding is that full-time study is an almost invariable requirement for funding. In the world of online doctoral studies, a large proportion of students are not full-time. Perhaps there will be a shift in the world of online doctoral studies towards offering full funding for non-traditional students. Time will tell.

However, as more and more students embark upon their doctoral studies through online doctoral degree programs, the impetus to recruit and reward outstanding applicants through fully funded online doctorates may grow.

Can I work while participating in a fully funded Ph.D. program?

Yes, you can work while participating in a fully funded Ph.D. program. Many universities allow students to hold part-time jobs while completing their Ph.D., as long as it does not interfere with their academic work.

Additionally, some universities may even provide resources to help students find part-time work that is related to their research or field of study. Check with your university to see what resources are available.

Search NYU Steinhardt

Funding Packages for Full-Time PhD Students

If you are accepted as a full-time NYU Steinhardt PhD student, you are eligible for our generous funding package, which includes a stipend, scholarship, and healthcare coverage. Information is below and on our doctoral funding website. 

Funding Opportunities

The Steinhardt Fellowship Program

The standard Steinhardt Fellowship package includes an annual stipend, tuition remission for required course work, and student health insurance through your fifth year. The fellowship is reserved for full-time doctoral students. The 2024-2025 stipend is $33,867. Complete details are provided with each offer of admission.

Research Assistantships

Some doctoral students may be appointed to a Research Assistantship. Research Assistants are funded by external grants and work with a principal investigator on a funded research project. Unlike Steinhardt Fellows, Research Assistants agree to work 20 hours per week on an ongoing research project, typically with a team of faculty and other students. Research Assistants may not perform additional work assignments such as teaching or grading.

For the duration of the assistantship, Research Assistants receive funding that includes a stipend, tuition remission for required course work, and student health insurance.

Other Expenses to Consider

Beyond what is covered by your Steinhardt Fellowship or Research Assistantship, you may have additional expenses that you should keep in mind as you plan your budget. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Late registration fees
• Tuition for undergraduate courses
• Tuition for graduate courses not applicable to your degree
• Tuition for courses in excess of the total point requirement for your degree
• Tuition for courses completed after the end of the fifth year
• Tuition for courses and fees used to maintain official enrollment for study leading to a degree after the end of the fifth year; see doctoral student policies for more information
• Student health insurance for students beyond the fifth year (note that students who are employed by NYU, such as Research Assistants or Adjunct Instructors, may receive health insurance as an employee benefit)

No need to fork out US$40,000 for a PhD – here are 10 fully-funded PhD programmes

The journey to obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a long and expensive one.

From completing a diploma or A-level programme to getting a bachelor’s degree, the journey only gets more expensive as you embark on a three to seven-year journey of obtaining your PhD. 

It’s why competition for a fully-funded PhD can be fierce.

On average, the total cost of a PhD programme is somewhere between US$30,000 to US$40,000 per year, depending on where you enrol. This expense does not include the cost of living if you are moving to a different city or country to study.

Multiply that with the number of years it’ll take for you to complete your studies, and you’ll see why it’s not an easy decision to make. 

Still, there are always ways to pursue higher education at a more affordable cost. While student loans are an option, you might want to aim for a fully-funded PhD instead.

Universities are not the only ones funding your PhD. Source: AFP.

What is a fully-funded PhD programme?

A fully-funded programme usually means full tuition reimbursement and a stipend to help cover the cost of living while pursuing the degree.

However, requirements differ according to the university.

Some universities offer a “no-strings-attached” fellowship where they receive funding but do not owe the university anything aside from their research. In many cases, a student will need to work part-time for the university by providing teaching or administrative assistance which might be useful in their professional career.

It’s also important to take note that universities are not the only ones funding your PhD.

Some grants might come from government bodies to support national research objectives and train future professionals to carry them out. Others could come from independent charities that have similar goals or businesses that see potential benefits to achieve their targets.

Financial aid typically does not include the cost of living. Source: AFP.

Things to know before you attempt to secure a fully-funded PhD programme

Before we jump into introducing some fully-funded PhD programmes, let’s take a closer look at how PhD funding starts out. 

Seek advice 

Reach out to an academic advisor or supervisor for advice on the next steps to take. Chances are that they can provide suggestions or even recommendation letters. Otherwise, they can leverage on their own knowledge and networks to redirect you to a better source of information. 

If an advisor isn’t available, try reaching out to the university’s graduates to get a clearer viewpoint from someone with first-hand experience.

Many PhD projects are actually advertised with generous funding, and this is particularly so for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) projects. 

However, it doesn’t mean you won’t find funding in other subjects like education, sociology or even English. 

Be sure you don’t single out universities in your search. Explore opportunities with external parties, such as business or industry partners too. 

Build a funding portfolio

Getting into the PhD scene is competitive, more so when you’re looking to score a fully-funded PhD. To help secure funding, put together a portfolio to make your case as strong as possible. 

Similar to a resume, your portfolio should outline what you plan to study, how long for, and above all else, why you wish to take the PhD. 

This demonstrates your commitment and understanding to the subject and its industry field.

Living costs and expenses

Not all funded PhDs offer to cover your living expenses, especially if you’re an international student. But even if they do, it’s a good idea to set aside some funds for your day-to-day life.

Some fully-funded PhDs offer accommodation for up to a certain amount of years, so if you intend on staying on for a longer period of time, it may be wise to have some finances ready for living on your own.

Determine your timeframe

It’s common for PhD students to work while studying. Part-time study offers that flexibility, but it also stretches out the length of your PhD and increases your maintenance expenses. 

Carefully consider your options before deciding on a part-time or full-time PhD, especially if you’re employed or have other commitments.

Don’t feel discouraged if you’re nervous about your chances of securing a fully-funded PhD. There are many other universities and programmes that readily offer generous funding and high stipends , such as MIT and Stanford University.

These stipends often cover tuition, living expenses, and healthcare, so don’t count them out.

10 fully-funded PhD programmes to check out

1. university of debrecen.

Stipendium Hungaricum provides fully-funded scholarships for international students to study their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the University of Debrecen . This programme was designed to support the internationalisation of higher education institutions in Hungary, as well as strengthen relationships with those abroad.

The university is one Hungary’s best, home to almost 30,000 students from over 70 countries and territories. It offers a whopping amount of over 23,000 courses with over 600 degree programmes, so you’ll be sure to find what you need here. 

Apply here .

2. University of Iowa

The Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa offers a fully-funded PhD programme in fields such as accounting, economics, business analytics, and marketing. 

Tuition and fees are covered, and students are provided with a generous nine-month stipend of about US$20,000. On top of that, they are provided with annual adjustments and a fantastic health insurance plan that covers up to 90% of their medical bills.

Want additional funding? Some departments provide funding for research presentations at conferences, summer fellowships and paid time off for independent research. 

Learn more here .

Columbia University prides itself on offering guaranteed housing beyond the first year. Source: Columbia University Facebook.

3. Columbia University

PhD students at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Columbia University benefit from a robust compensation and benefits package – not just for themselves, but for their dependents too.

The university provides financial support, full tuition remission, summer stipends, affordable Columbia housing, health and dental coverage, and childcare subsidies. They pride themselves on offering guaranteed housing beyond the first year – Arts and Sciences doctoral students are eligible for five academic years of student housing right from their first day.

Learn more here . 

4. Washington University in St. Louis

Doctoral students taking computer science or computer engineering at Washington University in St. Louis receive full tuition support and health insurance, among other perks.

The university is home to cutting-edge degrees and offers doctoral students a chance to qualify for one of three fellowships – The Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin – Chancellor’s Fellowship , McDonnell International Scholars Academy , and the Dean’s International Award .

The university provides financial support for up to six years , as long as the student makes progress towards completion of their degree. On top of that, students receive a free Apple laptop in the latest model.

More information here .

5. University of Michigan

The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor offers generous funding to their doctoral students in engineering. Students can specialise in numerous areas of specialisation, such as aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, macromolecular science and engineering, and robotics.

This fully-funded PhD provides students with guaranteed funding between four to six years, a monthly living stipend and a comprehensive health insurance plan. Additional funding is available from a range of sources, including graduate student instructor positions and fellowships.

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Pursuing your PhD at the MIT Sloan School of Management demands a great deal of time, initiative, and discipline from every candidate. Only 19 students are selected from hundreds of applicants, but the rewards are worth it.

The school’s financial package will cover a period of five years guaranteed to doctoral students, given that you stand out academically. This includes a full academic year tuition, 12 terms of fellowship stipend, medical insurance, a new laptop, and a budget for conference travel or ongoing research.

Assistantship at Rice University could earn you full financial assistance. Source: Rice University Facebook.

7. Rice University

The PhD in business at Rice University is intended for those aspiring to become faculty members at business schools in prestigious research universities around the world. This assistantship could earn you full financial assistance which will come in the form of a tuition waiver and a generous stipend.

The Jones Graduate School of Business houses the PhD programme here where you can choose to focus on various areas of study including Accounting, Finance, Organisational Behaviour, and Strategic Management.

8. Brown University

Students admitted to any PhD programmes at Brown University are guaranteed five years of support including a stipend, tuition remission, health services fee, and health insurance subsidy.

There are also additional forms of financial aid too like federal loans specially for US citizens and permanent residents, private educational loans for both domestic and international students, and resources for scholarships, fellowships, and grants.

More here .

The University of Pennsylvania offers two ways for students to get full funding. Source: University of Pennsylvania Facebook.

9. University of Pennsylvania

There are two ways for Penn Graduate School of Education students to get full funding at the University of Pennsylvania .

The first is through the Dean’s Fellowship and Research Apprenticeship which includes tuition and fees, health insurance, and a living stipend. Students would also receive a fellowship and research apprenticeship package which covers four years of study.

The other is the IES Predoctoral Training Programme which offers financial and skill-building support to selected applicants. This multi-year training programme is designed to prepare PhD students committed to learning rigorous methods for conducting research.

10. Yale University

At Yale University , the School of Nursing offers fully-funded PhD degrees to its students. There are three types of scholarships available through programmes namely the Merit-Based Programme, Need-Based Programme, and Community Scholars Programme.

The Merit-Based Programme is awarded through admissions. All incoming students, both domestic and international, can sign up where they will go through a holistic review process. The Need-Based Programme is for US citizens and permanent residents.

Lastly, the new Community Scholars Programme provides complete remission of tuition, fees, and health insurance along with an annual stipend for selected students.

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We have 2 Education (fully funded) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for UK Students

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Education (fully funded) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for UK Students

Brad-attain initiative, funded phd programme (uk students only).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

PhD Research Programme

PhD Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

International University Alliances: Reframing Higher Education Internationalisation in a Changing Geopolitical Context

Phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

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Ph.D. Program in Educational Neuroscience (PEN)

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202-250-2405

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Students in our pioneering PEN program gain state-of-the-art Cognitive Neuroscience training in how humans learn, with a special strength in the neuroplasticity of visually guided learning processes. While Cognitive Neuroscience includes studies of learning and higher cognitive processes across the lifespan, its sister discipline, Educational Neuroscience, includes intensive study of five core domains that are crucial in early childhood learning, including language and bilingualism, reading and literacy, math and numeracy, science and critical thinking (higher cognition), social and emotional learning, and includes study of action and visual processing. PEN students become expert in one of the world’s cutting-edge neuroimaging methods in the discipline of Cognitive Neuroscience (e.g., fNIRS, EEG, fMRI, and beyond), study Neuroethics, gain strong critical analysis and reasoning skills in science, and develop expertise in one of the core content areas of learning identified above. While becoming experts in both contemporary neuroimaging and behavioral experimental science, students also learn powerful, meaningful, and principled ways that science can be translated for the benefit of education and society today.

This doctoral program is a research-focused program where students develop a specific research focus, conducting supervised research within their mentor’s lab as well as developing their own lines of research through independent research projects. Students accepted into the program receive four years of funding as follows: tuition scholarship for up to the domestic rate + $25,200 annual stipend + health insurance option.

Students benefit from access to in-house, research-dedicated neuroimaging facilities where students can also choose to become certified in fNIRS (functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy), one of the world’s most advanced neuroimaging technologies. Students graduate from the program prepared to become groundbreaking scientists!

The PEN program opened its doors to the first class of Ph.D. students in Fall 2013. This is Gallaudet’s first interdisciplinary Ph.D. program and has its administrative home in Gallaudet University’s National Science Foundation Science of Learning Center, Visual Language and Visual Learning, VL2. Learn more about VL2 and its cognitive neuroscience and translational labs, all of which provide PEN students with unparalleled lab research experience and opportunities.

Deadline to apply for this program: February 15, 2023 (Early applications will be considered)

The Ph.D. Program in Educational Neuroscience (PEN) was founded at Gallaudet University by Dr. Laura-Ann Petitto (Chair, PEN Steering Committee) and Dr. Melissa Herzig (Assistant Program Director, PEN). Students in...

July 11, 2024

Math conference on campus highlights the benefits of focusing on accessibility

July 9, 2024

Graduate students bring cognitive science to deaf K-12 classrooms and beyond

April 17, 2024

Gallaudet receives NSF funding to emphasize accessibility during international conference

May 16, 2022

Dr. SaraBeth Sullivan and Carly Leannah honored with 2022 PEN distinguished awards

February 15, 2022

PEN student invited to prestigious summer institute

November 23, 2021

Dr. Sullivan successfully defends dissertation, graduates from PEN

Action & brain lab, cognitive and affective neuroscience lab (can), motion light lab (ml2), numeracy and educational neuroscience lab (nens), petitto brain and language center for neuroimaging (bl2).

PEN students benefit from Gallaudet University’s local university consortium, which provides students access to courses taught in the Washington, D.C. area. PEN students also have access to a national network of more than 20 cognitive neuroscience labs throughout the world, through formal Memoranda of Understanding.

In the BL2, students can choose to become certified in one of the world's most advanced neuroimaging technologies that is suited for the study of young children and individuals across the lifespan, fNIRS (functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy).

Students in PEN will spend a large portion of their time learning about current neuroscience research and conducting their own research. The Science of Learning Center on Visual Language and Visual Learning supervises and aids students in research. Students may join efforts in any of our Research hubs listed above.

Ilaria Berteletti

Associate Professor

Rachel Pizzie

Assistant Professor

Lorna Quandt

Crystal padilla.

Research Services Coordinator

Melissa Malzkuhn

Director, Motion Light Lab

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