free phd in education

30 Fully Funded Ph.D. Programs

These fully funded Ph.D. programs are in fields like business, computer science, education and nursing.

(Getty Images) |

Many Ph.D. programs are fully funded.

Students interested in graduate research in various fields, from public health and English to computer science and engineering, have numerous options for Ph.D. programs that offer full funding. These programs typically provide waived tuition and fees and an annual stipend. Some also offer health insurance and other benefits. Gaining admittance into these small cohorts can be highly competitive, and the programs can be time-consuming . Here are 30 fully funded Ph.D. programs at U.S. colleges and universities. Keep in mind this is not a comprehensive list – there are others out there.

• Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Chicago

Anthropology Ph.D. students at the University of Chicago can receive funding for up to eight years of study, assuming they are in good standing at the university. During that time, they will receive a full-tuition scholarship plus health insurance and a living stipend – which equated to $33,000 for the 2022-2023 school year – and can apply for external fellowships.

Ph.D. in biological sciences in public health at Harvard University (MA)

Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston offers a Ph.D. in biological sciences in public health that aims to provide students with expertise in disease prevention and treatment. This program includes tuition, a stipend and health insurance for five years as long as the student maintains satisfactory academic progress. International students receive the same benefits. Current research in the school's laboratories involves diseases like AIDS, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, malaria and tuberculosis.

(Dominick Reuter) |

• Ph.D. in business at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Students enrolled in the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology can study a range of fields like organization studies, accounting and information technology. Those pursuing a Ph.D. will receive a full-tuition scholarship plus a monthly stipend of $4,267, capped at $51,204. They will also receive medical insurance, new laptops at the beginning of their first and fourth years of study and $4,500 over five years for conference travel expenses.

(Tommy Lavergne | Rice University)

Ph.D. in business at Rice University (TX)

At the Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business in Texas, students enjoy full financial assistance upon admission to the Ph.D. program. Aiming to prepare students to teach in fields like accounting, finance, organizational behavior and strategic management, the program provides students with a research or teaching assistantship. Students receive a tuition waiver and a $40,000 annual stipend contingent on making satisfactory academic progress and maintaining full-time student status.

Office of Strategic Communication | University of Iowa

• Ph.D. in business at the University of Iowa

The University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business offers Ph.D. degrees in fields such as accounting, economics, business analytics and marketing. The college says it provides full funding to "virtually all admitted students." This includes tuition and fees, a minimum nine-month stipend of about $20,000 with annual adjustments and comprehensive health insurance covered at 90%. Some departments offer funding for research presentations at major conferences, summer fellowships and paid time off for independent research.

Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Cornell University (NY)

According to Cornell University 's website, all students admitted to the chemical engineering Ph.D. program at the New York school receive a full tuition waiver, health insurance and a stipend. This funding can come from a teaching assistantship, research assistantship or fellowship, and full stipends are granted for nine months with the likelihood of additional aid in the summer.

Chris Taggart | Columbia University

Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Columbia University (NY)

Students enrolled in Columbia University 's Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at the Teachers College in New York receive fully funded tuition and a $25,000 stipend annually for three years. The stipend also carries into a student's fourth year. These doctoral fellows "may be expected to serve" as graduate teaching or research assistants. Students typically complete the mentor-matched program, which includes a full-year internship, in five to seven years.

Ph.D. in computer science at Brown University (RI)

Brown University 's Ph.D. students in computer science have access to "full financial support while completing the degree," plus the option to take classes at nearby schools without incurring additional costs, according to the school's website. In fact, doctoral students in any program at the Rhode Island university are guaranteed five years of financial support, which includes tuition remission, a stipend, health services fees and a subsidy for health insurance.

Georgetown University |

Ph.D. in computer science at Georgetown University (DC)

Georgetown University 's Ph.D. program in computer science provides scholarships and assistantships that cover full tuition at the Washington, D.C., school and include a stipend and health insurance for the first five years. Once enrolled in the program, students must complete the Apprenticeship in Teaching Program and ultimately write and defend a full research dissertation in a seminar open to the public.

Ph.D. in computer science at Washington University in St. Louis

Ph.D. students in the computer science or computer engineering program at Washington University in St. Louis receive full tuition support and health insurance. According to the university's website: "As a doctoral candidate, you will also receive a generous stipend to cover living expenses and a new, high-end Apple laptop computer. This support is guaranteed as you continue to make satisfactory progress towards your degree." Doctoral students may also qualify for one of three fellowships.

Jeff Miller | UW-Madison

• Ph.D. in counseling psychology at the University of Wisconsin—Madison

Incoming Ph.D. students at the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin—Madison are guaranteed full funding for the duration of the time that they are expected on campus, according to the university's department of counseling psychology website. Doctoral students also receive a benefits package that includes health insurance. Funding may come from financial aid, fellowships, assistantships and/or traineeships.

Emory University |

Ph.D. in economics at Emory University (GA)

Students enrolled in the economics Ph.D. program at Emory University typically receive full funding, according to the Georgia university's website. The stipend provided to students is $36,376 per year for five years, starting in fall 2023, and the full tuition scholarship is worth $70,200 per year. Funding for admitted students also includes a $4,370 annual subsidy that covers 100% of a student's cost of health insurance. First-year students have no stipend-related work requirements.

• Ph.D. in education at New York University

New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development offers more than 30 degree programs. Many can be pursued on campus or online. Ph.D. degrees are offered in areas like developmental psychology, educational leadership and childhood education. Full-time NYU Steinhardt Ph.D. students are eligible for a funding package that includes an annual stipend – $32,000 for the 2022-2023 academic year – tuition coverage for required coursework and student health insurance for five years.

L.A. Cicero, Stanford News Service |

Ph.D. in education at Stanford University (CA)

Stanford University's Graduate School of Education allows students numerous fellowship and assistantship opportunities at the California school, along with a "five-year funding guarantee that provides tuition aid, fellowship stipend, and assistantship salary, and covers the standard cost of attendance," the program website reads. At the Graduate School of Education, doctoral students can choose from a range of academic areas like curriculum studies and teacher education, and developmental and psychological sciences.

• Ph.D. in education at the University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education provides full funding to Ph.D. students as part of a fellowship and research apprenticeship package. This funding includes a living stipend, health insurance and coverage of tuition and fees for up to four years if the student maintains full-time enrollment. Some students may also qualify for additional summer funding.

• Ph.D. in engineering at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor

Doctoral students in engineering at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor can choose from numerous areas of specialization under umbrella categories like aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, macromolecular science and engineering, and robotics. All engineering doctoral students are guaranteed full funding, a monthly living stipend and health insurance. The exact amount can vary, according to the program's website, and funding comes from a range of sources, including graduate student instructor positions and fellowships.

Boston University Photography |

• Ph.D. in English at Boston University

Annually, doctoral students studying English at Boston University receive a stipend plus full tuition, fees and basic health insurance. This funding is guaranteed for at least five years, with two of those years typically free from teaching requirements. Funding can sometimes be extended up to seven years, according to the university's website, but it's not guaranteed. Students may also apply for various prizes, fellowships and short-term research and travel grants.

(Stephanie Diani) |

• Ph.D. in English at the University of California—Los Angeles

Applicants to the Ph.D. in English program at the University of California—Los Angeles are automatically considered for various funding options. A six-year funding package includes "a minimum of two years of full fellowship, four years of summer stipend support and up to four years of teaching assistantships," according to the school website. Beyond tuition, fees and health insurance are also covered.

Jeff Watts |

Ph.D. in international relations at American University (DC)

American University offers doctoral students in its international relations program who do not have external funding a renewable four-year Dean's Fellowship that is contingent on making satisfactory academic progress. The fellowship includes the cost of tuition, fees and a stipend that must be earned via a part-time role as a teaching or research assistant. Students also must "demonstrate competency in a modern foreign language" before graduating.

Jonathan Cohen | Binghamton University

• Ph.D. in management at Binghamton University—SUNY

All students admitted to the interdisciplinary management Ph.D. program at the Binghamton University—SUNY School of Management in New York receive a combination of a full-tuition scholarship and a teaching or research assistantship for each academic year, up to four years. This STEM-designated business doctoral degree prepares students for careers in academia and work in the public and private sectors, and has a student-faculty ratio of 1-to-1, according to the university's website.

Duke University Communications |

Ph.D. in materials science and engineering at Duke University (NC)

Doctoral students at Duke University in North Carolina studying materials science and engineering generally receive full tuition, a stipend and fee support for the first five years. Students also receive up to six years of health insurance if they are on the university's student medical insurance plan. The doctoral program aims to help students publish with a faculty adviser and develop research skills, with the opportunity to present research at professional conferences.

Homewood Photography | JHU

Ph.D. in nursing at Johns Hopkins University (MD)

The School of Nursing at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland provides most doctoral students with three fully funded years of study. Available financial aid includes graduate assistantships, targeted fellowships and nursing-specific funding. The university aims to "advance the theoretical foundation of nursing practice and healthcare delivery" with the degree, its website reads. "By graduation, most Hopkins nurse scholars have been awarded grants that continue their research and set them well on their way to a successful career."

• Ph.D. in nursing at the University of Virginia

All students admitted to the University of Virginia 's Ph.D. in Nursing program are eligible for four years of scholarship funding to cover tuition, insurance and fees, as well as annual stipends. To receive certain aid, students must work 10 hours per week as a graduate teaching assistant. With a heavy research focus, students can expect courses in qualitative, quantitative and historical research, and will have to submit a research proposal for peer review.

Ph.D. in nursing at Yale University (CT)

At Yale University in Connecticut, the School of Nursing offers full funding to its Ph.D. students. They receive a monthly stipend for four years in addition to paid tuition and health care. The program allows students to gain in-depth knowledge in a particular area of study. Every incoming Ph.D. student gets paired with a faculty adviser "whose area of expertise and active research most closely matches with the student’s scholarly interest," according to the school's website.

University of Minnesota |

• Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program to study psychology at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities are guaranteed full funding for five years as long as they maintain satisfactory performance and degree progress. This funding includes full-time tuition, a nine-month stipend and subsidized health insurance. Funding comes from some combination of teaching assistantships, traineeships, research assistantships and fellowships. Students in the program can specialize in areas like cognitive and brain sciences, industrial-organizational psychology and social psychology.

Matt Cashore | University of Notre Dame

Ph.D. within the Romance languages and literatures department at the University of Notre Dame (IN)

University of Notre Dame doctoral students who focus on French and Francophone studies, Iberian and Latin American studies or Italian studies are guaranteed five years of funding. Funding includes a full scholarship, including tuition and fees, plus a stipend and health insurance. Anyone who completes the Ph.D. degree requirements at the Indiana university within five years will automatically receive a one-year postdoctoral fellowship via the university's 5+1 Program. Fellows will have a teaching load limited to one course per semester.

Ph.D. in social work at Bryn Mawr College (PA)

Students admitted to Bryn Mawr College 's Ph.D. program in social work receive full tuition waivers and "substantial stipends" toward living expenses. The Pennsylvania college's website says: "Consistent with our model, all Ph.D. students are funded equally, and do not compete for basic financial support during coursework." The program's cohorts typically include only three or four students each year. According to the college, it awarded the first Ph.D. degree in social work in the U.S. in 1920.

Vanderbilt University |

Ph.D. in special education at Vanderbilt University (TN)

Funding is guaranteed for all admitted doctoral students enrolled in the special education Ph.D. program at the Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. This includes full tuition, a "competitive" monthly stipend and health insurance for up to four years. Students may also be nominated for additional honor scholarships and fellowships. Areas of focus within the Ph.D. program include high-incidence disabilities and early childhood education.

Ph.D. in theatre and drama at Northwestern University (IL)

This interdisciplinary Ph.D. program at Northwestern University in Illinois combines coursework in humanities, social science and the visual arts. The program's students receive a five-year full-tuition scholarship plus an annual living stipend. Ph.D students enrolling at this program in fall 2022 will receive a living stipend of at least $36,960 during the 2023-2024 school year. Stipend amounts may change from year to year. Students can apply for subsidies to facilitate conference travel and summer language study.

(Photo by Sarah L. Voisin | The Washington Post via Getty Images)

• Ph.D. in women, gender and sexuality studies at University of Maryland

At the University of Maryland 's Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Ph.D. students without a master's degree usually have five years of guaranteed funding. Those with a master's degree usually are funded four years, with awards stemming from a mix of departmental fellowships and graduate teaching assistantships. Since the program's establishment in 1999, the department has granted 36 Ph.Ds, according to UMD's website.

Learn more about paying for graduate school.

Finding a fully funded program isn't the only option to offset the costs of graduate school. See these seven strategies to pay for graduate school to learn more. Check out the latest Best Graduate Schools rankings to see the country's top business, medicine and law programs – and more. For additional grad school tips, follow U.S. News Education on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn .

Ph.D. programs that are fully funded

• Ph.D. in biological sciences in public health at Harvard University
• Ph.D. in business at Rice University
• Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Cornell University
• Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Columbia University
• Ph.D. in computer science at Brown University
• Ph.D. in computer science at Georgetown University
• Ph.D. in computer science at Washington University—St. Louis
• Ph.D. in economics at Emory University
• Ph.D. in education at Stanford University
• Ph.D. in international relations at American University
• Ph.D. in materials science and engineering at Duke University
• Ph.D. in nursing at Johns Hopkins University
• Ph.D. in nursing at Yale University
• Ph.D. within the romance languages and literatures department at the University of Notre Dame
• Ph.D. in social work at Bryn Mawr College
• Ph.D. in special education at Vanderbilt University
• Ph.D. in theatre and drama at Northwestern University

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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.

• Lisa Marlin https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/lisa-marlin/ 12 Best Laptops for Computer Science Students
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Teaching, learning, and teacher education, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.), you are here, a doctoral program preparing education researchers, teacher educators, curriculum specialists, and instructional leaders..

The Ph.D. in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education focuses on the preparation of researchers and teacher educators in universities and colleges. Focal areas include teaching and learning, research and practice in teacher education, mathematics education, science education, and the study of urban education and urban contexts. 

What Sets Us Apart

About the program.

The Ph.D. in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education focuses on the preparation of researchers in education. The program includes formal courses, mentored research, and informal seminars.  The program is designed to draw together coursework, research apprenticeship, and other professional academic activities to build a complete professional program that is tailored to your interests and needs.

Fall: 3; Spring: 3

Culminating experience Dissertation

Coursework and research experiences address a range of practice-based and theoretical problems in schools and community settings from sociopolitical, cultural, philosophical, psychological, and historical perspectives. Taking an interdisciplinary stance, faculty and students explore issues of equity, social justice, and educational change in a range of formal and informal educational settings. You will build a program of study that includes courses in teaching and learning, social foundations, and research methods.  Applicants interested in the focal area of literacy are encouraged to consider the doctoral program in Literacy Studies .

Field-based research and collaborative projects with practitioners in schools or other educational settings are key components of the program. The program is designed to draw together coursework, research apprenticeship, and other professional academic activities to build a complete professional program that is tailored to your interests and needs.

As a full-time Ph.D. student, you are expected to be in residence and participate in practicum activities, courses, and other academic experiences throughout the first two years, where you will be enrolled in 3 course units per semester. Coursework and experiences are arranged around three areas or strands, including specialization courses, research methods courses, and electives/professional experiences, as well as a set of core courses. For more information about courses and requirements, visit the  Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education Ph.D. program in the University Catalog .

Research Apprenticeship Course (RAC)

The RAC is part of the Professional Experiences strand and is designed to assist you in developing, conducting, and presenting your own original research. The course focuses on the research interests of the students and requires participation in the scheduling of activities, presentations, and directing part of the RAC agenda as it pertains to the collective needs of the group. Students from the different stages of the doctoral program will serve as mentors to one another, with faculty oversight. You will participate in the RAC beginning in the spring of your first year and continue participation until the completion of your dissertation.

Annual Self-Evaluation : Each year, doctoral students complete a Professional Self-Evaluation that is used as part of the ongoing evaluation and planning process. You are introduced to the evaluation form in the proseminar and will work on it in the spring Research Apprenticeship Course (RAC). The deadline for the Professional Self-evaluation falls in mid-autumn or mid-spring.

Qualifying Examination : The Qualifying Examination is taken by all doctoral students, most often at the end of the first year. Passing this exam is an important step in being admitted to program candidacy. In order to take the qualifying exam, you need to have completed the Doctoral Proseminar, Doctoral Foundations of Teaching and Learning, Education, Culture, and Society, 1 RAC, and 1 research methods course.

Program Candidacy : You are assessed for program candidacy after successfully completing the  Doctoral Proseminar, Doctoral Foundations of Teaching and Learning, Education, Culture, and Society, 1 RAC, and 1 research methods course, and passing the Qualifying Examination. You must be in good academic standing to receive program candidacy.

Preliminary Examination : The Preliminary Examination is taken after you have completed all courses and before you begin work on your dissertation. Passing the Preliminary Exam allows you to be admitted to doctoral candidacy. You may submit a Preliminary Exam from the start of the fall semester through April 1. A description of the Preliminary Exam is available from the Division Coordinator. 

Dissertation : To complete the Ph.D., you must design and undertake an original research study under the direction of your dissertation committee. Students should see Penn GSE and Penn-wide policies and speak with their advisor about the requirements of the dissertation.

Our Faculty

Affiliated Faculty

Ryan S. Baker Professor Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University

Bodong Chen Associate Professor Ph.D., University of Toronto

Matthew Duvall Lecturer Ph.D., Drexel University

L. Michael Golden Executive Director, Catalyst @ Penn GSE Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania

Zachary Herrmann Adjunct Assistant Professor Ed.L.D., Harvard University

Charlotte E. Jacobs Director, Independent School Teaching Residency Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

Michael C. Johanek Senior Fellow Ed.D., Teachers College, Columbia University

Yasmin B. Kafai Lori and Michael Milken President’s Distinguished Professor Ed.D., Harvard University

Andrea M. Kane Professor of Practice, Education Leadership Ph.D., Northcentral University

Rand Quinn Associate Professor Ph.D., Stanford University

Sharon M. Ravitch Professor of Practice Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

Susan A. Yoon Graduate School of Education Presidential Professor Ph.D., University of Toronto

"Penn taught me, Penn GSE especially, that if you have the right combination of ingredients—commitment from the structure, mentors, and colleagues—then risk-taking, innovation, and progress will for sure ignite."

Justice Toshiba Walker

Our graduates.

Our graduates are prepared for research and academic careers in education, psychology, and related human services fields.

Alumni Careers

• Adjunct Professor, Moore College of Art and Design
• Assistant Professor of Special Education, Villanova University
• Assistant Professor, Montclair State University
• Assistant Professor, Utah State University
• Director, Out of School Time Resource Center
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Temple University

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]

Noemí Fernández Program Manager [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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The Collaboratory for Teacher Education at Penn GSE is a laboratory for the design, implementation, and study of experimental approaches to teacher education.

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The Core Practice Consortium brings together teacher educators from across institutions, disciplines, and theoretical perspectives to grapple with questions about how better to prepare novice teachers. 

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Current students in the Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education program are researching a range of topics including mathematical practices, teacher education, maker-based project education, culturally responsive pedagogy, science education, and media making. 

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• Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education Ed.D.
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• Teaching, Learning, and Leadership M.S.Ed.
• Education, Culture, and Society Ph.D.

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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

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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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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

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

Don’t miss: Top education scholarships

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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Education (Online), EdD

School of education.

To address the dramatically changing landscape of education in the 21st century, which includes new research on the science of learning, advances in technology, and the emergence of a for-profit education sector, the Johns Hopkins School of Education offers an innovative online Doctor of Education degree program. This EdD program is designed to prepare an exceptional corps of educational practitioner-scholars, both nationally and internationally, who can set a high standard for transformational leadership in education, apply evidence-based practices to improve educational outcomes, and meet the vast challenges associated with improving learning outcomes in both public and private educational environments.

For more information about the EdD program, please visit  https://education.jhu.edu/academics/edd/ . If you have any questions about the EdD program, please contact  [email protected] .

Admission Requirements

At minimum, applicants to the EdD program should hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university. Previous degrees must document high academic achievement (a minimum GPA of 3.0) in an area of study closely associated with the objectives of the program. If the earned degree or credit is from an educational institution abroad, the candidate’s academic record must be evaluated by a credential evaluation agency before consideration for admission. Applicants must submit the online admission application form, application fee, official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, a curriculum vitae (résumé), online interview, and two letters of recommendation signed by each recommender. These letters should include the following:

• A professor with whom the applicant worked in their master's program who can speak to the applicant's competency to conduct rigorous scholarly work, and
• A colleague/supervisor from the applicant’s professional context/industry who can attest to the applicant's qualifications to pursue a doctorate, the applicant's impact on the recommender’s  professional practice, and knowledge of and support for the applicant's proposed area of research/Problem of Practice.

Additionally, applicants will submit a personal statement including responses to the following:

• Describe a significant Problem of Practice relevant to your current context/industry of professional practice.
• Indicate the importance of this problem within the applicant’s industry and/or their specific context of professional practice.
• Discuss the potential underlying causes for or contributing factors related to this Problem of Practice.
• Discuss the ways in which this problem aligns with at least one or two areas of interest.

All applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be asked to submit video and written responses to question prompts.

International students must fulfill the general requirements for admission and complete additional requirements—see  https://education.jhu.edu/admission-financial-aid/admissions/international-applicants/ .

Note: This program is not eligible for student visa sponsorship .

Students who enter the program will be required to successfully complete a series of pre-orientation modules prior to enrollment in the program. All students are expected to show competence in the content areas of these modules.

Please note that for the online EdD program, an offer of admission is for the specific cohort to which an application is submitted. Students may accept or decline the admission offer only; deferring to a future cohort is not an option.

Program Requirements

Program structure and requirements.

Program requirements include a minimum of 90 graduate credits. Students must enter the program with a master’s degree with a minimum of 36 graduate-level credits, which will be transferred into the EdD program. If a student does not have the required 36 master’s credits, the student will be admitted on a conditional basis and must complete the additional graduate-level credits at an accredited college or university. Students with post-master’s graduate credit in related education content completed prior to admission to the EdD program may petition to transfer in an additional six credits of equivalent coursework with appropriate documentation and with the approval of the EdD program director. Thus, students must complete between 48 and 54 credits at the doctoral level at JHU. The program includes the following required coursework components (subject to change):

• Foundations of Education (15 credit hours)
• Applied Research & Evaluation (12 credit hours)
• Areas of Interest / Electives (15 elective credit hours)
• Doctoral Dossier Research (12 credit hours)*

In addition to successfully completing all the coursework requirements, candidates must also satisfy written assessments and an oral comprehensive examination that document attainment of competencies. They must also complete either an Applied Dissertation or a Dossier Style Dissertation research project, depending upon the year the candidate was admitted to the program as per the following table:

Students who extend their program of study may be required to enroll in additional independent study credits.

With permission, students admitted between Fall 2013 and Fall 2020 may opt into the Dossier Style Dissertation if they choose not to do an intervention.

Problems of Practice and Doctoral Dossier

Students examine a Problem of Practice (POP)—an area of concern they have observed within their professional context—that becomes the focus of the student's Doctoral Dossier, which consists of three main projects described below.

As part of our commitment to social justice, the EdD program does not privilege one form of communication over another. Thus, all components of the Doctoral Dossier can be communicated in a modality of the student’s choosing: video, oral, scholarly writing, or public-facing writing. The Doctoral Dossier is embedded within the EdD program coursework, providing students the unique opportunity to examine an issue important to their field.

To begin their Doctoral Dossier process, students will spend their first year working on a Scholarship of Integration project (Project 1) that focuses on exploration and identification of underlying causes of and factors associated with their chosen POP. Using systems thinking, which includes perspective-taking, and the research literature, students will document their exploration in an introductory narrative that provides the rationale and supporting evidence for their decision to further pursue their research topic throughout their doctoral journey.

During the second year, following completion of the Scholarship of Integration project, students will choose one of the following two options for Project 2:

1. Scholarship of Application: Demonstrate the application of the research to practice. The purpose of this project is to a) consider how the research perpetuates and/or disrupts oppression, b) critique relevant systems, structures, and institutions, and c) determine avenues to effectively disseminate evidence to a wider audience and stakeholder group.

Example projects include: historical analysis of a topic, curriculum creation, community organization, autoethnography, instructional pedagogy, and others.   

2. Scholarship of Teaching: Development and improvement of pedagogical practices. Students examine teaching processes and assessments improve practice.

Example projects include : autoethnography of one’s teaching, innovative teaching materials, curricula, development of new courses, or development of a new pedagogical framework.   

During the third year, following completion of Project 2, students will choose one of the following:

• The scholarship option NOT chosen for Project 2, or
• Scholarship of Discovery: Search for new knowledge. Students conduct evidence-based research that leads to knowledge creation.    

Example projects include: written, oral, or other modalities of research, scholarly publications, empirical study, working paper, or book chapters.                

During the fourth year, students will complete Project 3, write an Executive Summary that ties their three projects together, and write a final reflection of their doctoral journey. The Doctoral Dossier will be presented and assessed during the fourth year.

Students are expected to complete four years of coursework and independent research concurrently. This program is cohort-based, thus if students require a leave of absence for any reason, they will return in the appropriate course sequence with the next cohort the following year.

Problems of Practice and Dossier Style Dissertation (for students admitted Fall 2021 and Fall 2022*)

Students examine a Problem of Practice (POP), which is an area of concern that they have observed within their professional context. This POP becomes the focus of the student's Dossier Style Dissertation. The Dossier Style Dissertation is embedded within the EdD program coursework, which provides students with a unique opportunity to examine an issue important to the organization in which they are employed.

During the first year in the program, students synthesize research literature to understand factors relevant to the POP from a broader systems perspective. During the second year of the program, students conduct an empirical project to investigate their POP within their professional context. Students are expected to collect and analyze data to further understand and refine their identified problem. Based on the evidence in the literature review and empirical project, students will engage in a final project that may further explore an aspect of their POP or articulate a potential solution.

Students will demonstrate mastery of first- and second-year competencies through written and oral comprehensive assessments, which will serve as indicators of readiness for conducting their applied research. Students will then evaluate the effectiveness of this solution as their Applied Project (Year 3). Characteristics of the Dossier Style Dissertation that make it unique to this program include:

• Written assignments within courses that focus on the student's POP.
• Coursework that leads students to consider applications that hold the potential for significant change or impact within their organization and/or have implications for policy.
• Dossier Style Dissertation components that are embedded within coursework and distributed across the three years of the program.

Although somewhat different from a traditional dissertation in its completion and focus, students are nevertheless expected to demonstrate mastery of the relevant literature, to obtain extant and/or collect additional data, and to interpret the results in light of previous studies. The Dossier Style Dissertation will be presented at a final oral defense before a Dossier Style Dissertation Panel.

Typically, we expect that students would complete three years of coursework and independent research concurrently. It is possible that some students may need more than three years to complete their research, in which case they will be required to enroll in at least one credit hour per semester after completion of the required 90 credit hours.

*Students admitted Fall 2021 can choose to complete either the Dossier Style Dissertation or the Applied Dissertation described below. Fall 2022 students may only complete the Dossier Style Dissertation.

Problems of Practice and Applied Dissertation (for students admitted Fall 2013-2021*)

Students examine a Problem of Practice (POP), which is an area of concern that they have observed within their professional context. This POP becomes the focus of the student's Applied Dissertation research. The Applied Dissertation is embedded within the EdD program coursework, which provides students with a unique opportunity to examine an issue important to the organization in which they are employed.

During the first year in the program, students examine their articulated POP to identify underlying causes and associated factors. During the second year of the program, students develop a potential solution, such as an intervention or policy change, and a plan to study the implementation of this intervention as well as proximal outcomes. Students will demonstrate mastery of first- and second-year competencies through written and oral comprehensive assessments, which will serve as indicators of readiness for conducting their applied research. Students will then evaluate the effectiveness of this solution as their Applied Dissertation (Year 3). Characteristics of the Applied Dissertation that make it unique to this program include:

• Coursework that leads students to consider solutions that hold the potential for significant change or impact within their organization and/or have implications for policy.
• Dissertation components that are embedded within coursework and distributed across the three years of the program.

Although somewhat different from a traditional dissertation in its completion and focus, students are nevertheless expected to demonstrate mastery of the relevant literature, to obtain extant and/or collect additional data, and to interpret the results in light of previous studies. The dissertation will be presented at a final oral defense before the student’s Dissertation Advisory Committee.

Typically, students will complete three years of coursework and independent research concurrently. It is possible that some students may need more than three years to complete their research, in which case they will be required to enroll in at least one credit hour per semester after completion of the required 90 credit hours.

*Students admitted Fall 2013-2020 must complete the Applied Dissertation. Students admitted Fall 2021 can choose to complete either the Dossier Style Dissertation or the Applied Dissertation. Fall 2022 students may only complete the Dossier Style Dissertation.

Learning Outcomes

Program goals.

Upon successful completion of the EdD, we expect that graduates will:

• Participate as a self-reflexive, social justice-oriented learner within diverse educational or learning communities.
• Analyze and critique educational practice and research from a social justice and systems perspective.
• Apply relevant methodologies to address critical challenges in education.
• Demonstrate a curiosity for, and a systematic approach to, at least one major topic of study within education resulting in an emerging expertise.
• Integrate research and practice-based knowledge to develop research-informed decisions and opinions about educational experiences, processes, policies, and institutions.
• Communicate effectively to diverse audiences about educational research, experiences, processes, policies, and institutions.

The Best Free PhD Programs. Fully funded PhD programs

Navigating the complexities of PhD programs, one term often dominates the discourse – “fully funded”.

It represents a golden opportunity wherein all tuition fees and living expenses are covered by the educational institution, allowing students to focus on their research and studies free from financial constraints.

In this blog post, we explore what fully funded really means, share the author’s personal journey of pursuing a PhD in Australia, delve into the policies of various countries offering free or nearly free PhD programs, and provide key tips for securing a fully funded PhD opportunity.

Whether you’re considering a domestic program or an international adventure, the insights and tips offered here could pave the way to an invaluable, financially stress-free academic journey.

What Does Fully Funded Mean?

In 2023, the concept of a “fully funded” PhD program signifies that the entirety of expenses related to the doctoral program is covered. This includes tuition fees, which are either waived or entirely paid for by the educational institution.

Beyond tuition, the program also encompasses a living stipend or allowance given to doctoral students. 

Fully funded PhD programs essentially function as a comprehensive scholarship, covering everything from tuition fees to books and other necessary supplies.

While the stipend amount can vary based on the institution, it is generally sufficient to cater to the basic living expenses of the students, covering rent, food, and transportation costs.

The main aim of providing this stipend to doctoral students is to facilitate a learning environment where they can focus entirely on their studies, research, and dissertation, without the distraction of financial pressures. 

Universities, including public ones, offer these fully funded doctoral programs with the intention to draw in the best students.

These students, in turn, are expected to contribute significantly to the advancement of research in their respective fields and derive a high-quality education from their doctorates.

It is important to note that eligibility for these scholarships or stipends requires proof of commitment to the doctoral degree. In my experience, this meant securing a top-class master’s degree. This reassured the university of my dedication to pursuing a PhD and furthering my education.

In recent years, there has been a rise in such fully funded programs online , offering a wider reach for prospective PhDs.

As we move further into 2023, students may increasingly opt for these online PhD programmes, making the pursuit of doctoral degrees more accessible than ever.

Countries with a free PhD / fully funded PhD

Sometimes doing a free PhD means going abroad and doing your PhD in another country.

Personally, I travelled to Australia to do my PhD for the adventure and lifestyle. I was able to get a fully funded placement and international student fee waiver for three years to finish my degree.

Here’s a summary of some of the best countries you could do you PhD in if you want to do it for free.

In the Czech Republic , public universities host a multitude of English-language PhD programs and these programs are free for all PhD students, irrespective of their nationality. However, additional costs may be incurred by international students which might include language courses, health insurance, or student services fees, depending on the university policies.

Sweden maintains a unique policy that not only eradicates PhD fees at public universities but also provides study grants to some PhD students, which serves as a financial aid for their living expenses during the tenure of their studies.

In Germany , public universities offer feeless PhD programs to all students. However, a nominal administration fee, approximately €300 per semester, is required. This fee usually covers student services and perks like public transportation and access to university facilities.

Austria ‘s policy benefits PhD students from within the EU and EEA who complete their doctorates within a stipulated time frame, offering free education at public research universities. International students, on the other hand, have to pay fees, which, nonetheless, are capped by the Austrian government to maintain affordability.

Norway , like its Nordic counterparts, offers free PhD education at public universities to all students, regardless of their origin. But a small semester fee, usually covering student services, is obligatory.

Denmark also practices a policy of free PhD education for EU, EEA, and Swiss students at public universities, but international students are required to pay fees, which are generally on the higher side compared to other European countries.

Finland doesn’t discriminate in terms of nationality and offers free PhD studies at public universities. However, international students are charged for their Masters programs.

Saudi Arabia stands out with its unique policy where all PhD students are awarded scholarships that automatically cover their education fees, as well as help them with living expenses.

In the Netherlands , PhD study isn’t universally free, but many institutions extend the offer of free PhD study to international postgraduates. Some universities consider the PhD students as university employees, offering them a waiver on fees and potentially a salary or benefits.

Switzerland , although not offering free PhD studies, keeps its fees low at around CHF 1500 per year at public universities. State-funded PhD positions are also available to EU, EEA, and Swiss students that come with no fees and a maintenance grant.

Top tips for finding a PhD for free.

Here are the top tips I would give you when Choosing a free PhD.

• Apply to STEM programs: Many PhD (and Master’s) programs, especially in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) fields, are fully funded in the US. Most state schools and Ivy League schools have fully funded programs for these fields.
• Prepare for stiff competition: Because these programs are fully funded, the competition is high. It’s not uncommon for hundreds or even thousands of students to apply to these programs each year, with only a small fraction being accepted.
• Consider assistantships: Fully-funded programs usually provide a stipend in the form of Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) or Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) positions. These roles involve either teaching or conducting research under a professor’s supervision.
• Be ready for some costs: Despite tuition being covered, you may still need to cover some school fees, student insurance, and other miscellaneous expenditures.
• Don’t consider unfunded programs: Many graduate programs do not fund students, but experts advise against attending these schools. The availability of funding indicates the health of the department in terms of research money and growth.
• Work on your application: The application process generally starts around September to December. Standardized tests such as GRE and TOEFL/IELTS are required, along with transcripts, recommendation letters, and a statement of purpose.
• Avoid programs that require you to pay: It’s a common sentiment among experts that if you’re paying to be a PhD student, there might be something wrong with the program.
• Apply for fellowships: There are graduate fellowships available for international students that cover tuition and offer a monthly stipend.

Fully funded online PhD programs in the US

Here are some examples of PhD programs in the states that are free and fully funded:

• Applicants to the Ph.D. in English program at UCLA are automatically considered for various funding options. A six-year funding package includes “a minimum of two years of full fellowship, four years of summer stipend support, and up to four years of teaching assistantships.” Beyond tuition, fees and health insurance are also covered.

Connecticut

• At Yale University, the School of Nursing offers full funding to its Ph.D. students. They receive a monthly stipend for four years in addition to paid tuition and health care.

District of Columbia

• Georgetown University offers scholarships and assistantships that cover full tuition and include a stipend and health insurance for the first five years to students in its PhD program in computer science.
• Students enrolled in the economics Ph.D. program at Emory University typically receive full funding. The stipend provided to students is $36,376 per year for five years, starting in fall 2023, and the full tuition scholarship is worth $70,200 per year. Funding for admitted students also includes a $4,370 annual subsidy that covers 100% of a student’s cost of health insurance. First-year students have no stipend-related work requirements.
• The University of Chicago provides funding for up to eight years of study for its anthropology PhD students. This includes a full-tuition scholarship, health insurance, and a living stipend of $33,000 for the 2022-2023 academic year. Students are also eligible to apply for external fellowships.
• University of Notre Dame doctoral students are guaranteed five years of funding. Funding includes a full scholarship, including tuition and fees, plus a stipend and health insurance.
• The Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa provides full funding to “virtually all admitted students.” This includes tuition and fees, a minimum nine-month stipend of about $20,000 with annual adjustments, and 90% coverage of comprehensive health insurance. Additional funding is also provided for research presentations at major conferences, summer fellowships, and paid time off for independent research.
• At the University of Maryland’s Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Ph.D. students without a master’s degree usually have five years of guaranteed funding. Those with a master’s degree usually are funded four years, with awards stemming from a mix of departmental fellowships and graduate teaching assistantships.

Massachusetts

• The T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University offers a PhD in biological sciences in public health, providing expertise in disease prevention and treatment. This program includes tuition, a stipend, and health insurance for five years, assuming students maintain satisfactory academic progress. Current research involves diseases such as AIDS, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, malaria, and tuberculosis.
• Students enrolled at the Sloan School of Management at MIT have the opportunity to study various fields, such as organization studies, accounting, and information technology. They receive a full-tuition scholarship, a monthly stipend of $4,267, medical insurance, new laptops at the start of their first and fourth years of study, and $4,500 over five years for conference travel expenses.
• Doctoral students studying English at Boston University receive a stipend plus full tuition, fees, and basic health insurance. This funding is guaranteed for at least five years, with two of those years typically free from teaching requirements. Funding can sometimes be extended up to seven years, but it’s not guaranteed. Students may also apply for various prizes, fellowships, and short-term research and travel grants.
• Doctoral students in engineering at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor are guaranteed full funding, a monthly living stipend, and health insurance. The exact amount can vary and funding comes from a range of sources, including graduate student instructor positions and fellowships.
• Students admitted to the Ph.D. program to study psychology at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities are guaranteed full funding for five years as long as they maintain satisfactory performance and degree progress. This funding includes full-time tuition, a nine-month stipend, and subsidized health insurance.
• PhD students in computer science or computer engineering at Washington University in St. Louis receive full tuition support, health insurance, a generous stipend for living expenses, and a new high-end Apple laptop computer. This support is guaranteed as long as students continue to make satisfactory progress towards their degree.
• Full-time NYU Steinhardt Ph.D. students are eligible for a funding package that includes an annual stipend – $32,000 for the 2022-2023 academic year – tuition coverage for required coursework and student health insurance for five years.
• All students admitted to the interdisciplinary management Ph.D. program at the Binghamton University—SUNY School of Management in New York receive a combination of a full-tuition scholarship and a teaching or research assistantship for each academic year, up to four years.
• Cornell University offers full funding to all students admitted to its PhD program in chemical engineering. This funding can come from a teaching assistantship, research assistantship, or fellowship, and full stipends are granted for nine months, with the likelihood of additional aid in the summer.
• Columbia University provides fully funded tuition and a $25,000 annual stipend for three years to students enrolled in its PhD program in clinical psychology. This stipend also carries into the student’s fourth year, during which they may be expected to serve as a graduate teaching or research assistant.

North Carolina

• Doctoral students at Duke University studying materials science and engineering generally receive full tuition, a stipend, and fee support for the first five years. Students also receive up to six years of health insurance if they are on the university’s student medical insurance plan.

Pennsylvania

• The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education provides full funding to Ph.D. students as part of a fellowship and research apprenticeship package. This funding includes a living stipend, health insurance and coverage of tuition and fees for up to four years if the student maintains full-time enrollment. Some students may also qualify for additional summer funding.
• Students admitted to Bryn Mawr College’s Ph.D. program in social work receive full tuition waivers and “substantial stipends” toward living expenses.

Rhode Island

• Brown University guarantees full financial support for five years to its PhD students in computer science. This includes tuition remission, a stipend, health services fees, and a subsidy for health insurance.
• Funding is guaranteed for all admitted doctoral students enrolled in the special education Ph.D. program at Vanderbilt University. This includes full tuition, a “competitive” monthly stipend, and health insurance for up to four years.
• Rice University offers full financial assistance to students admitted to the PhD program at the Jones Graduate School of Business. This includes a research or teaching assistantship, a tuition waiver, and a $40,000 annual stipend, contingent upon maintaining satisfactory academic progress and full-time student status.
• All students admitted to the University of Virginia’s Ph.D. in Nursing program are eligible for four years of scholarship funding to cover tuition, insurance, and fees, as well as annual stipends. To receive certain aid, students must work 10 hours per week as a graduate teaching assistant.

Washington D.C.

• American University offers doctoral students in its international relations program who do not have external funding a renewable four-year Dean’s Fellowship that is contingent on making satisfactory academic progress. The fellowship includes the cost of tuition, fees, and a stipend that must be earned via a part-time role as a teaching or research assistant.
• The University of Wisconsin—Madison guarantees full funding for the duration of the time doctoral students are expected to be on campus. This funding may come from financial aid, fellowships, assistantships, and/or traineeships. In addition, doctoral students receive a benefits package that includes health insurance.

Wrapping up

This comprehensive article delves into everything you need to know about free PhD programs, also known as fully funded PhD programs, including the essential details, benefits, and potential challenges that students may encounter.

The term “free PhD” generally refers to a fully funded program that covers tuition fees and provides a stipend for living expenses, allowing students to complete their PhD studies without financial burden.

It is crucial to understand why you should never enter a PhD program without proper funding. Hence, pursuing a free or fully funded PhD should be a priority for all PhD students, regardless of nationality or field of study.

These programs may be offered both online and on-campus by various top universities around the world.

Fully funded PhD programs cater to both international and local students, including those pursuing a traditional PhD, online doctorate, or an accelerated executive doctorate of education.

For instance, fully funded online PhD programs in fields like business administration, education policy, and social work in clinical practice are available for students who hold master’s or bachelor’s degrees.

The duration of these programs may range from 1 year for fast-track or shortest doctoral programs to several years for other disciplines. Moreover, many programs focus on specialization in subjects like higher education policy, laboratory research, and much more.

One of the perks of these programs is that many institutions provide a stipend to cover living expenses during the course of study, ensuring that students can focus entirely on their research without worrying about financial constraints.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Top 3 Fully Funded PhD Programs in Education

Earning a PhD in Education is a great way for practicing educators to transition into a career at the collegiate level. Fully funded PhD programs in education afford attendees the ability to focus solely on school and advance their careers without breaking the bank. The PhD in Education prepares candidates for careers that are scholarly or research based, such as working at government institutions, colleges and universities, even policy or educational centers. There are quite a few specializations that students can choose from.

Recommended Doctorates In Education

In this list we have compiled the Top 5 fully funded PhD programs found across the nation in the field. Fully funded means students have the chance to get a variety of aid options from grants, scholarships, residencies and more to fund their education while pursuing their PhD in Education.

1. The University of Michigan School of Education

The University of Michigan School of Education encourages all PhD students to think rigorously and demonstrate an ability to make a difference in education. The fully funded PhD program produces leaders, policymakers, and researchers dedicated to improving the state of education country and worldwide. The School of Education offers a PhD in Educational Studies in a number of areas of focus: Educational Policy, Leadership and Innovation , Literacy, Language, and Culture , or Mathematics Education to name a few. There are also three additional PhD degrees in English and Education , Education and Psychology or Higher Education .

Funding packages with the Michigan School of Education are flexible and plenty. Doctoral students receive a minimum of four years of financial support which covers items like tuition, a stipend for living expenses, and health insurance. This insurance will even cover health and dental benefits for students’ family members, an invaluable benefit for many students when considering the rising costs of healthcare. All students who participate in the fully funded PhD program are assigned a 20-hour-per-week assignment. This might include filling roles as a research or staff assistant, or as an instructor.

2. Vanderbilt Peabody College

Vanderbilt University has long been a mecca for students striving to become the ‘best of the best’ in their fields, and located in Nashville, Tennessee, a thriving city and center for industries like healthcare and higher education, it’s easy to see why so many students excel through the university’s world-class programs. The Vanderbilt Peabody College offers a couple of fully funded PhD programs in Education through the Leadership, Policy and Organizations department. Two concentrations can be selected: K-12 Educational Leadership and Policy (ELP) , and  Higher Education Leadership and Policy (HELP) .

The PhD program is for students and educators who wish to build an academic career focused on the study of education and policy, and with the university’s unique mentor-apprentice model, students gain knowledge through researched based assistantships alongside esteemed faculty. All Peabody College PhD students receive full tuition funding . The funding is achieved through merit awards or University Tuition Scholarships. Typically, students will also benefit from health insurance coverage and may participate in University Fellowships, Graduate Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Research Assistantships, Traineeships, and Teacher Training Awards.

3. The Steinhardt School at New York University

Students at Steinhardt School at New York University can earn a free Ph.D. in education through the use of scholarships and tuition programs at the school. Those in the Ed. in leadership and innovation take 24 weeks to complete the program. They focus on coursework in applied research methods, change and innovation, and management and data ethics. Admission to the program requires that students answer why they want to attend Steinhardt, how their work experiences prepare them for a cohort learning environment, and what experience, if any, they have with online learning. Prospective students also need to include a resume, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts from previously attended postsecondary institutions.

Embrace the convenience of online learning and shape your own path to success.

Explore schools offering programs and courses tailored to your interests, and start your learning journey today.

The Ph.D. in Education is an interdisciplinary doctoral program that combines advances in the social sciences, sciences, arts, and humanities with deep expertise in educational research, policy, and practice to train students for careers as academics, researchers, policymakers, and leaders who will improve educational outcomes in the United States and around the world. Ph.D. candidates will collaborate with faculty from across Harvard graduate and professional schools and conduct groundbreaking research — forging new fields of inquiry that will transform education practice and policy.  Candidates for the Ph.D. in Education choose from among three concentrations: Culture, Institutions, and Society; Education Policy and Program Evaluation; or Human Development, Learning and Teaching.

All Ph.D.s are granted through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Tuition-Free Doctoral Programs in Counseling

Keith Carlson

Contributing Writer

Learn about our editorial process .

Updated February 16, 2024

Joey Morris

Contributing Editor

Reviewed by

Rayelle Davis

Contributing Reviewer

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Are you ready to discover your college program?

Are you looking to earn a Ph.D. in counseling while avoiding significant student loan debt? One option to explore is tuition-free counseling Ph.D. programs. As a prospective Ph.D. student, your successful application can result in a fellowship, which often includes various benefits to help you pursue your studies with fewer financial concerns. Use this guide to search for a tuition-free counseling doctoral program that suits your career goals.

Popular Online Counseling Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

How Do Fully Funded Counseling Ph.D. Programs Work?

Fully funded counseling Ph.D. programs offer opportunities for ambitious professionals to pursue their career goals and a terminal degree while reducing student loan debt. Tuition-free doctoral programs often require fellowships that provide the financial freedom to focus on research, academic rigor, and professional advancement.

Application requirements may include a master's degree , a detailed CV, letters of recommendation from experts in your field of study, research experience, a statement of purpose, a draft research proposal, and a strong academic record.

While some programs solely require the student to conduct research in their chosen field, others may also require students to serve as teaching or administrative assistants in their academic discipline.

In return for fulfilling these work requirements, doctoral candidates in fully funded programs may receive a combination of full tuition and fee remission, a stipend, health insurance, and funding for research-related travel.

Explore our ranking of the top tuition-free doctoral programs in counseling. Graduates of these programs can pursue licensure or further education and training.

Read our ranking methodology

• Collapse All

Auburn University's counselor education Ph.D. program is one of four advanced counseling degree programs in the university's Counselor Education Programs department. Complete with a practicum and internship, Auburn's program has produced graduates presently working in mental health, rehabilitation, counselor education, and school counseling.

As part of the coursework, the practicum for this tuition-free Ph.D. focuses on teaching, supervision, and advanced counseling. Also, the internships are adjustable to the students' professional goals. Graduate students meeting the university's requirements can receive a tuition waiver from the tuition fellowship program. To be eligible for the tuition waiver, students must obtain a graduate assistantship.

Courses Include

Counselor Education Pedagogy Advanced Theories: Cognitive/Behavioral Theories Research Design in Counseling and Evaluation Contemporary Issues in Counselor Education Diversity and Social Justice in Counselor Education

Unique Features

Cost: $11,796 Credit Required: 61 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

See School Website

At Ball State, the pathway to becoming a doctor of counseling psychology features several emphases, including rehabilitation counseling, clinical neuropsychology, and school psychology. Most students satisfy the degree requirements within four to five years. Every Ball State doctoral student is eligible for a graduate assistant tuition and fee remission program.

Career Theories and Realities Theories and Techniques of Counselor Supervision Psychopathology Objective Personality Appraisal Analysis of variance

Cost: $16,0442 Credit required: 106 minimum Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Chestnut Hill, MA

This tuition-free Ph.D. program provides students with the foundational knowledge consistent with the American Psychological Association (APA) format. Most BC graduate students complete all of the program's requirements in six years. The university guarantees assistantships with tuition remission awards for the first four years.

Courses required

Quantitative Research Design in Counseling and Developmental Psychology Biological Bases of Behavior Advanced Psychological Assessment Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior Quantitative Research Design in Counseling and Developmental Psychology

Unique features

Cost: $38,450 Credits required: 54 Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education

Pittsburgh, PA

Carlow's Psy.D. in counseling psychology demands about four years of dedicated study with a year-long internship, a dissertation, and a practicum. The program does practicum placements at well-known mental health agencies, medical hospitals, and rural locations in the Pittsburgh area. For tuition concerns, the university sponsors a limited number of assistantships, scholarships, and grants.

Counseling Skills and Techniques Diagnosis of Abnormal Psychology Social and Cultural Foundations of Diversity Training Research Methods (Statistical and Quantitative Methods) Human Growth and Lifespan Development

Cost: $26,475 Credits Required: 93 Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Morristown, NJ

CSE's Ph.D. program requires the doctoral students to complete the four categories of discipline-specific knowledge (DSK): the history of psychology systems, basic knowledge in scientific psychology, integrative knowledge in scientific psychology, and methods of inquiry and research. Most students complete the requirements for this degree in four years. Assistantships pay for one course (3 credits) for every 10 hours of work.

Courses Required

Advanced Psychometrics Advanced Cognitive and Personality assessment Physiological Psychology Social Aspects of Behavior Child & Adolescent Psychopathology

Cost: $19,236 Credits required: 88 Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Milwaukee, WI

Along with the standard Ph.D. program requirements, Marquette engages its students in multicultural research, top-ranked internships, and opportunities to work with prominent qualitative researchers. Its students perform practicums in top hospitals and veterans administrations. After completing the program in four to five years, many graduates assume leadership roles in their specialties. Marquette offers assistantships with a full stipend and merit-based aid.

Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior Consultation Strategies Biological Basis of Behavior Professional Ethics and Legal Issues Career Development and Counseling

Cost: $81,900; Marquette offers assistantships with a full stipend and merit-based aid. Credit required: 91 Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

San Antonio, TX

Upon completing the degree requirements, students are ready to become competent and licensed psychology practitioners. The average program completion period is five years, including a one-year internship. This doctorate program's design meets the requirements of Texas state licensure. It focuses more on the delivery of services than the standard research activity aspect of psychology. OLLU Graduate assistantships are available to offset the cost.

Cognition and Emotion Psychoeducational Assessment: Cognitive Testing Abnormal Psychology Advanced Systemic Approaches to Psychotherapy Behavioral Neuroscience

Cost: $23,315 Credits required:117 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Radford, VA

This tuition-free doctorate program primarily concentrates on rural mental health, but it also favors social justice, cultural diversity, and evidence-based psychology. Since it stresses clinical teaching and application, students must complete a 2,000-hour internship. For full-time students in good standing, Radford provides tuition remission through assistantships and grant-funded fellowships.

Couples and Family Systems Therapy Multivariate Analysis Psychopharmacological Medication Psychometrics Biological Foundations

Cost: $12,409 Credit required: 128 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

UAlbany's Ph.D. program requires proof of research tool competence, a 2,000-hour internship, a dissertation, and dissertation defense. Upon completion of the four-year curriculum, graduates are eligible for licensure in New York State. All first-year students receive guaranteed tuition funding, with assistantships covering the remaining years.

Course Required

Proseminar in Research in Counseling Psychology Regression Analysis for Counseling Research Ethics and Professional Issues in Counseling Psychology Multivariate Applications in Counseling Psychology Doctoral Practicum in Specialized Procedures

Cost: $13,454 Credits: 81 Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Houston, TX

Students benefit from student-faculty mentorship, top-notch sites for clinical training, and a robust curriculum. This Ph.D. program also offers a health psychology emphasis. Even with the addition of this 15-hour minor, most students complete the program within five to six years. UH Doctoral students can use assistantships and tuition fellowships to offset the cost of tuition and fees.

Atypical Growth and Behavior Advanced IRT Theory Models in Psy/Educ Research Clinical Interventions in Counseling Psychology Inferential Statistics in Psychological and Educational Research Human Growth and Development

Cost: $18,528 Credits required: 48 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Memphis, TN

All UofM coursework and program requirements focus on a scientific approach to understanding and dealing with human behavior's positive and negative dynamics. For this tuition-free Ph.D. program, a typical doctoral student completes the coursework in three years and the internship in one year. This schedule makes graduation reachable by the end of the fourth year. Graduate assistantships provide a stipend and a tuition/fee waiver.

Advocacy, Consultation, & Ethics Multicultural Counseling Statistical Method Application Adult Personality Assessment Developmental Aspects of Behavior

  Cost: $5,970  Credits Required: 99

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Coral Gables, FL

UM's Counseling Psychology doctoral program allows students to participate in grant-funded projects that address underserved populations' health-related needs. On average, most students complete the required coursework in four years and the internship in one year. Assistantships alleviate cost concerns with a tuition remission benefit.

The Social Bases Of Human Activity And Flourishing Adult Psychopathology Cultural Diversity and Mental Health Quantitative Methods II Vocational Psychology and Career Development

Cost: $40,220 Credits required: 72 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Grand Forks, ND

Doctoral students get specialized training in several fields such as vocational psychology, integrated behavioral healthcare, leadership, and grant writing. They work alongside nationally acclaimed faculty members serving as mentors in critical research. On average, UND doctoral students complete the standard and electives required for this program in four to six years. Assistantships and tuition waivers are available to offset the cost of tuition.

Supervision, Theory, and Technique Multicultural Counseling Research Issues in Counseling Psychology Child and Adolescent Counseling Advanced Psychometrics

Cost: $12,797 Credits required: 98 Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Greeley, CO

As part of becoming licensed psychologists, doctoral students go through two-plus years of systematic in-clinic practicum activities. It generally takes four to six years to complete the dissertation, internship, coursework, and supervised clinical training. Through assistantships, doctoral students can get full-tuition assistance for up to 10 credit hours per semester.

Advanced Practicum in Individual Counseling Advanced Research Methods Advanced Methods: Couples and Family Therapy Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Psychological Consultation: Theory and Practice

Cost: $7,200 Credits Required:126 Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

This Ph.D. program has a curriculum that dispenses discipline-specific knowledge to the students in six categories: research methods, psychometrics, the history and systems of psychology, basic content areas, advanced integrative knowledge of the basic content areas, and quantitative methods. Students with a master's degree in counseling psychology can finish the program in four to six years. OU offers scholarships and doctoral research awards to offset the tuition.

Educational statistics Micro Counseling Skills Professional Ethics Multiple Regression in Educational Research Child-Family Interventions

Cost: (Based on 5 years) $17,787 resident, $149,995. OU offers scholarships and doctoral research awards to offset the tuition. Credit required: 165 Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

What to Look for When Choosing a Tuition-Free Doctoral Program in Counseling

When you’re looking for a fully funded counseling Ph.D. program, there are several factors to consider.

• Competition and Application Process: As one might expect, tuition-free programs can be highly competitive and require a rigorous application process. Programs may request letters of recommendation, research proposals, resumes, and other documents. When selecting a program, research its acceptance rate and a complete list of application requirements.
• Funding Package: Depending on the cost of living where you’ll work and study, your stipend may not cover all living expenses. You may also find that some programs only supply stipend funds during the academic year.
• Teaching or Research Assistantship Opportunities: Teaching assistant and research positions may be key to certain programs, so you’ll need to discover which institutions expect openings. Reaching out to potential supervisors provides valuable information about what topics receive an institution’s greatest emphasis.
• Professional Development and Networking: Doctoral counseling programs provide opportunities to network with experts in your field, both at your academic institution and within the larger professional sphere of your specialty area. Your doctoral program can also provide additional career benefits, including job placement assistance and career support.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fully Funded Ph.D. Counseling Programs

What does it mean when a program is tuition-free.

Students enrolled in tuition-free Ph.D. programs do not have out-of-pocket costs for their studies. These programs usually give tuition waivers for graduate students and offer monthly stipends or low salaries for students who work as graduate teaching or research assistants. Some graduate programs offer benefits, such as health insurance coverage.

What can I do with a doctorate in counseling?

Professionals with a doctoral degree in counseling psychology can work as psychologists, researchers, or faculty members. By earning your doctorate in counseling psychology, you can apply for licensure and practice under the title of psychologist. A doctorate may also prepare you to teach at the postsecondary level.

How much do counselors with a Ph.D. in counseling make?

Professional counselors with a Ph.D. can earn around $84,000 per year compared to an average salary of $59,000 per year for a counselor with a master of science degree in counseling .

How long does it take to complete a Ph.D. in counseling program?

Fully funded counseling Ph.D. programs usually take four years of full-time study and up to six years if pursued part-time. Credit hours generally range from 80-120 hours.

Note: Page last reviewed on February 2, 2024. The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Best Counseling Degrees.

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Online Ph.D. Programs in Education

Shape educational policy and lead with authority by earning an online ph.d. in education.

Imagine using your degree to influence educational policies and create instrumental courses in programs across the country. By earning a 100% online Ph.D. in Education degree from Liberty University, you can. With the variety of degree concentrations we provide, you have the flexibility to focus your studies on an area that matches your unique career goals.

Here are some of the benefits of partnering with Liberty University to pursue your Ph.D. in Education online:

• Our online Ph.D. in Education can prepare you for careers in various schools and administrative settings within the field of education.
• Our School of Education is committed to providing quality education based on the principles of God’s Word.
• You can become a positive influence in your school and community as you make an impact for Christ!

per credit hour

For full-time Ph.D. in Education online students

With flexible 8-week courses and no set login times

credit hours

So you can earn your online Ph.D. in as little as 3 years

  Pursue a degree that inspires you. With a Ph.D. in Education online from Liberty, you can learn how to shape and design new curriculums. Not only that, but your courses can equip you with effective management principles so you can lead administrations at all levels. As a Christian university, our online Ph.D. programs in education also examine relevant topics and current events in light of a Christian worldview.

Receive advanced training in education, organizational leadership, and research so you can gain invaluable communication and problem-solving skills. This knowledge can help you lead your students and organization to success. Our online Ph.D. in Education program can provide you with the skills you need to oversee an educational administration at the county, state, or national level.

Is a Ph.D. in Education worth it?

With a Ph.D. in Education, you can be in a position to take advantage of the increased market demand for leaders in education:

• Increase your earning potential and pursue positions of added responsibility.
• You can   gain invaluable networks   with your peers and professors while pursuing one of our online Ph.D. programs in education during optional on-campus intensives.
• Completing an online Ph.D. in Education gives you a terminal education credential that shows employers you have reached   the pinnacle of your field’s achievement .

What will you learn in Liberty’s online Ph.D. in Education?

As you begin our online Ph.D. in Education degree, you will study core curriculum critical to leadership in K-12 and higher education settings.

You will analyze pedagogical concepts and approaches based on research and knowledge of the discipline.

Our Ph.D. in Education online specializations allow you to acquire a robust knowledge of educational theories and practices. This awareness is vital in addressing the current teaching challenges found in your respective discipline.

Your doctorate in education can help you add value and fresh ideas to the field of education.

Liberty’s Online Ed.D. in Education

• Practitioner-focused
• Practice-based
• Ideal for K-12 school administrators, teachers, and educational leaders at the university level
• Applied research track   — includes a general survey of educational and applied research
• Capstone : an opportunity for you to apply the content knowledge learned in your program to solve a problem of practice in your profession while using an applied research method to study a problem in your field and develop a practical solution

Liberty’s Online Ph.D. in Education

• Research-focused
• Theory-based
• Ideal for those wanting to pursue a career in research or in teaching at the university level
• Quantitative/qualitative research track   — advanced statistics and qualitative/quantitative methods
• Dissertation : an opportunity for you to apply advanced qualitative or quantitative research methods and demonstrate high-level scholarship through a theory-based study to address a gap in current literature and add to the body of existing research by other experts in the field

What can a Ph.D. in Education do for you?

Gain the credentials you need to expand your career horizons! Your online Ph.D. in Education can prepare you to better serve in your current position or any of the following occupations:

• Curriculum specialist
• Elementary educator
• Gifted-student instructor
• Instructional supervisor
• Middle school educator
• School administrator
• Secondary school educator
• Special education instructor
• University professor

Why Choose Liberty’s Ph.D. in Education Online Program?

Liberty’s online Ph.D. in Education is designed to provide the training you need to work in top leadership positions within education. Do you want to research and produce groundbreaking programs, or lead educational administrations at all levels? If so, one of our program specializations in organizational leadership or curriculum and instruction may be a great fit for you!

Our Ph.D. in Education is available 100% online. But if you would like some face-to-face interaction, we also offer optional, on-campus intensives. We want to help you earn your degree in a way that is most convenient for you.

See what we’ve been able to do to make earning your degree as convenient as possible:

• The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university . 
• Meet your peers and professors! With the online Ph.D. in Education program, you can complete optional intensives on our campus in Virginia . This is a great chance to further develop your writing and research for the final dissertation phase of the program.
• Liberty’s online Ph.D. in Education provides an integrated dissertation process. That means you can work toward your final research project while completing your coursework!
• Completing a terminal degree like the Ph.D. in Education shows employers that you have reached the pinnacle of your field’s achievement.
• Make a unique impact on educational research using your dissertation. With the Ph.D. online program’s dissertation, your research can become the basis for publications, curriculum material products, and more!

Military Tuition Discount We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want — at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work towards your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession — for less.

Online Ph.D. in Education Specializations

By personalizing your online Ph.D. in Education with a concentration, you can open doors to new careers or career advancement. Whether you want to create more effective curriculums for your school, or you want to help implement ethical educational policies, we have a program to help you get there.

Take a moment to explore all the options available to you. 

With Liberty University’s online   Doctor of Philosophy in Education – Curriculum and Instruction , you can learn how to create innovative and effective curricula designed to help students discover their full potential. 

What will you learn from your online Ph.D. in Education?

• Trends in learning theories and educational technology
• How to design curriculum and implement instructional practices
• Advanced educational statistics 
• Research concepts and methodology for curriculum and instruction

Potential Career Options

• Educational consultant
• K-12 administrator 
• Superintendent 

View the   Degree Completion Plan .

Apply Now     Request Info

Educational Law

Liberty’s Doctor of Philosophy in Education – Educational Law can help you master the legal aspects of education. These concepts can be readily applied as you lead in your school, corporation, or education-related business.

• How to conduct and apply research in classroom management, learning, motivation, assessment, and teaching
• How social and cultural changes influence the way our courts act and react
• The laws governing education in order to understand the demands and restrictions of the “separation of church and state”
• How to assess and evaluate contemporary educational policies, implications, and issues for education effectiveness
• Education advocate
• Education survey researcher
• Educational policy legislator
• K-12 administrator
• University administrator

Apply Now      Request Info

Instructional Design and Technology

Technology is an integral part of education both online and in the classroom. Become an expert in the growing field of distance learning with Liberty’s  Doctor of Philosophy in Education – Instructional Design and Technology .

• How to develop support products and processes to enhance learning efficiency
• How to develop web-based courses for online learning
• Issues and trends in learning technologies 
• Principles of human performance technology
• Director of e-learning
• Distance learning senior director
• Instructional design/technology researcher
• Senior instructional design specialist

Organizational Leadership

Guide your educational organization as you implement business communication and problem-solving best practices with Liberty’s online   Doctor of Philosophy in Education – Organizational Leadership .

• Education policy, structure, and theories of organizational leadership
• Issues and trends in learning technologies
• Risk management process and practice
• Strategic management solutions to common leadership problems
• Policy analyst
• Superintendent
• University administrator/professor 

Liberty University’s online   Doctor of Philosophy in Education – Special Education can help you develop and implement evidence-based practices for students with special needs.

• How to best evaluate and assess individual student needs
• Program development for children with behavioral disorders, special needs, and those who excel academically
• The history and future of special education in America
• Theories of educational leadership needed to lead an academic institution
• Behavior management researcher/specialist
• Director of special education
• K-12 special education instructor/administrator

Admission Requirements for Liberty’s Ph.D. in Education Online

A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with a 3.0 or above GPA is required for admission in good standing. Please visit our  admission requirements page for more detailed admissions-related information.

• Admission application
• Application fee*
• Official college transcripts
• Unofficial college transcripts may be accepted with a completed transcript request form**
• Proof of English proficiency (for applicants whose native language is other than English)

* There is no upfront application fee; however, a deferred $50 application fee will be assessed during Financial Check-In. This fee is waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required.

** An official transcript is needed within 60 days of acceptance or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first.

Transfer Policies

At Liberty, we want to help you make the most of your prior education by allowing you to transfer in previously earned college credit. That’s why you can transfer in up to 50% of your total credits for a master’s or doctoral program!

Some restrictions apply. Please visit our   Transfer Policy   page for more information.

*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, Non-Degree Seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and Certificates.

Apply FREE This Week*

Other programs you may be interested in

Doctor of Education (EDD)

Next Start Date: May 13, 2024

Education Specialist (EDS)

Higher Education Administration: General*

Educational leadership.

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You have to have a lot of self-motivation and self-discipline when you are going to school online, but the amazing thing is at Liberty you do not need to do it by yourself. You really do have resources like someone who is going to school on campus.

– Janae Fleming ’15, B.S. in Education

Harvard University to Offer Groundbreaking Doctoral Program for Education Leaders

• Posted September 14, 2009
• By News editor

Harvard University today announced the launch of a new, practice-based doctoral program to prepare graduates for senior leadership roles in school districts, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.

The new tuition-free Doctor of Education Leadership Program (Ed.L.D.) will be taught by faculty from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard Business School (HBS), and the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). The program offers an unprecedented approach to preparing leaders equipped to transform the American education system in order to enable all students to succeed in a 21st-century world. The three-year program will begin in August 2010 and initially enroll 25 students per year.

"One of the core missions of Harvard's professional schools is to prepare leaders who can guide organizations in a rapidly changing environment. No sector has a greater need for such transformational leaders than public education," said Harvard President Drew Faust. "I am delighted that professors from three outstanding professional schools are combining their knowledge and experience to create this groundbreaking program."

Based at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Ed.L.D. will be the first new degree offered in 74 years by the school. The degree is a practice-based doctorate designed to equip students with a deep understanding of learning and teaching as well as the management and leadership skills necessary to reshape the American education sector.

In the first two years of the program, students will participate in a new customized curriculum of classes, modules, and practice-based experiences. In the concluding year, students will enter a year-long residency in a partner education organization pursuing transformational change where they will receive hands-on training and lead a capstone project to complete the doctoral degree.

"Research clearly shows that no school improvement effort can succeed without effective leadership, and such leadership is needed at all levels - federal, state, district, and school - in our current systems and in the systems we will create in the future," said M. Christine DeVita, president of The Wallace Foundation , which provided a $10-million grant to support the effort. "The new Doctor of Education Leadership Program draws on what we've learned about effective leader preparation over the past decade. By providing fellowship support that will remove the barrier of cost and student debt, we hope to attract the most accomplished and promising future leaders to this innovative program and to these careers that are so important to our nation's future."

The program tethers academic preparation to real-world practice by partnering with the same types of organizations that graduates of the program will aspire to lead. These organizations include not only many of the leading urban school districts (e.g., Atlanta, Denver, New York City), but also some of the most noted organizations driving change in K-12 education (including Teach for America, New Leaders for New Schools, KIPP, and the National Center on Education and the Economy).

"Our goal is not to develop leaders for the system as it currently exists; rather, we aim to develop people who will lead system transformation," said Harvard Graduate School of Education Dean Kathleen McCartney . "We believe this new degree program will be a catalyst to drive that change. It will allow us to meet our goal of producing a new generation of education leaders, who will have a laser-like focus on student learning, and will know how to translate that into large-scale system change. They will be successful by altering education policy debates, forging powerful public-private partnerships, and restoring public confidence in our schools."

The Doctor of Education Leadership Program - which will be led by HGSE faculty Richard Elmore , Harry Spence (HGSE/HKS), and Elizabeth City (HGSE) - is unique in its integrated curriculum in learning and instruction, management and leadership, and policy and politics. Students will learn with faculty from the three professional schools, including Stacey Childress (HBS), Marshall Ganz (HKS), Deborah Jewell-Sherman (HGSE), Robert Kegan (HGSE), Mark Moore (HKS/HGSE), and David Thomas (HBS).

"In creating this groundbreaking program, we are proud to bring together the strengths of our three great faculties with an array of exceptionally pioneering organizations," said Professor Robert Schwartz , academic dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. "The Obama Administration and large private foundations are about to make unprecedented levels of investment in education reform. It is critical that states and districts, and the national organizations they count on for support, have access to a pipeline of leadership talent equipped with the knowledge and skills to ensure that these investments produce dramatic improvements in the performance of our schools."

Press Contact: Michael Rodman, 617-496-5037

• The Associated Press (picked up by more than 200 news outlets)
• The Boston Globe
• The Chronicle of Higher Education
• The Harvard Crimson
• Harvard Gazette
• Harvard Magazine
• The New York Times (12/5/09)
• The New York Times (12/29/09)

Ed.L.D. partners include:

• Achieve, Inc.  
• Achievement First
• Aspire Public Schools
• Atlanta Public Schools
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg (N.C.) Public Schools
• Chicago Public Schools
• Denver Public Schools
• The Education Trust
• Jobs for the Future
• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
• National Center on Education and the Economy
• New Leaders for New Schools
• New Schools Venture Fund
• The New Teacher Project
• New Visions for Public Schools
• New York City Department of Education
• Oregon Department of Education
• Philadelphia Public Schools
• Portland (Ore.) Public Schools
• Public Education Network
• Teach For America

The latest research, perspectives, and highlights from the Harvard Graduate School of Education

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• MS in Education
• Adult Education

Adult Education Master of Science in Education

A career in adult education offers you an opportunity to help others redefine what’s possible in their lives. In the online MS in Education, Adult Education* program from Capella University, you’ll focus on current theory and research for teaching adults and college students, including instructional models, assessment strategies, collaborative learning and program development.

Enhance your qualifications in adult education with a curriculum designed to give you the tools you need to improve adult achievement and understand diverse learning styles.

*This degree program is not designed to meet the requirements for professional license or certification.

Incorporate diverse learning styles

Gain insight into the diverse learning styles of adults from varying backgrounds, and learn strategies for effectively engaging with diverse populations.

Excel in higher education

Study the evolution of higher education and understand the trends and future of the profession.

Elevate adult achievement

Learn to apply adult education principles and theories to instruction, program development and enhancement of learning.

This program is currently not approved for federal financial aid by the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

Apply today with no application fee.

At a glance

• 4 Core courses
• 5 Specialization courses
• 1 Elective course
• 1 Capstone course
• 46 Total quarter credits (12 Max transfer)

With Capella Tuition Cap, you won’t pay more than $12,000* in tuition costs for your degree.

*Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.

Courses and skills

Explore adult education courses.

• This degree requires a total of 46 quarter credits
• You’ll need to complete four core courses, five specialization courses, one elective course and one capstone

View all courses in catalog

*Course has prerequisite(s). See catalog for details.

What you'll study

This program is designed to enhance your qualifications in adult education and college teaching. The curriculum integrates current theory with best practices in adult learning and teaching. You will focus on the learning styles of individuals from various backgrounds, collaborative learning and program development for the adult learner.

These specialization requirements are not designed or intended to meet professional licensure requirements for the education profession.

On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:

• Advance the practice of learning and teaching within the field of adult education
• Apply adult education principles and theories to instruction, program development and enhancement of learning
• Adapt strategies and methods to address the characteristics of adult learners
• Evaluate how globalization and diversity influence educational outcomes
• Integrate effective communication and ethical practices that support professional adult learning principles and expectations
• Apply reflective strategies that lead to improved personal and professional practice

Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career opportunities.

Tuition and learning format

How much does the ms in education cost.

The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.

A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.

• Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
• 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
• Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
• Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or quarter

$470 per credit, $150 resource kit fee, 46 total quarter credits, 12 max transfer credits

*This is only an estimate, effective July 8, 2024, and is subject to change. Your price will vary depending on your specialization, transfer credits, and tuition discounts. Books, supplies, and other fees are not included in this estimate. GuidedPath prices show the tuition you would pay if you brought in an average number of transfer credits or the maximum allowed transfer credits. New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs.

Capella is committed to transparency in its tuition and pricing. In addition to tuition, you will be responsible for additional costs, which may include an application fee, travel expenses, and practicum costs. A resource kit fee of $50-$200, charged quarterly or per billing session, covers the cost of required books, software, and other course materials. Click here to review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog .

Find out more about financing and payment options  to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education. Learn more about  financing your education .

Questions about cost?

Contact an enrollment counselor.

94% of education alumni agree that their faculty were well qualified and did a good job.

Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2022–2023

“The field of education is constantly changing, so as a teacher, I need to constantly be learning as much as I can to stay on the top of my game, and then give my students the best education that I can.”

Michelle Emerson* – Master of Education graduate

*Actual FlexPath graduate compensated for appearing in Capella promotional materials.

Scholarships and savings

Are there scholarships available for master's degrees.

Your education is an investment in your future. There are  more ways to save  than you might think.

Transfer credits

Get the credits you deserve. You may be able to save time and money on your Capella degree by transferring credits from an accredited university.

Employer and association discounts

If your employer or organization is a partner with Capella, you may be eligible for a tuition discount.  Search to see if your employer is a partner.

$12K Capella Tuition Cap

Know your costs from the start. With the Capella Tuition Cap , $12,000* is the maximum tuition amount you’ll pay for your MS in Education degree. *Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.

Accredited and recognized

Capella is accredited by the higher learning commission..

Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our  accreditations  and  recognitions .

How to apply

What are the ms in education admission requirements.

Applicants to the Master of Science in Education, Adult Education must provide the following information for admission:

• A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
• Your official bachelor’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale
• Admission application – no application fee required
• A valid, government-issued form of photo identification

GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.

International student requirements

If you live outside the U.S. or aren’t a U.S. citizen, you may be considered an international student.

To meet the requirements for Capella admission, you must:

• Earn the minimum score on an acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
• Attended an internationally recognized institution
• Provide transcripts for evaluation

Learn more about international student admissions .

Faculty and support

What support does capella offer online students.

Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.

Our courses are taught by distinguished faculty members who hold top credentials and have real-world expertise in their fields.

Enrollment counselors

Our enrollment counselors can help set you up for success. They’ll help you find the right degree and program and answer all your questions about Capella. They can also help you with the admission process.

Academic coaches

Once you enroll, these specialists can help tailor a program to your goals and experiences and help you stay on track to meet program requirements.

Learn more about support from Capella

Articles and resources

Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.

5 Things to Consider Before Pursuing Your Next Degree

If you’re curious about taking the next step in your education, there are simple ways to help clarify the path forward.

Explore our education programs

Gain skills to help pursue your professional goals by learning the latest teaching theories and strategies.

Career exploration

What can you do with an ms in education, adult education degree.

Your education can help you pursue your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with an MS in Education, Adult Education degree.

Job titles to explore*

• Adult basic education instructor
• Adult educator
• Director of adult education
• ESOL instructor
• GED instructor

Employment settings to explore*

• Colleges, universities and professional schools
• Community colleges
• Educational support services
• Individual and family services
• Vocational rehabilitation services
• All other miscellaneous schools and instruction

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications and/or other designations along with a degree. Educational and professional requirements for faculty positions vary widely by employer. Understanding your target employers’ particular requirements is key in deciding on a program. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals. Educational and professional requirements for faculty positions vary widely by employer. Understanding your target employers’ particular requirements is key in deciding on a program.

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Here are 7 free AI classes you can take online from top tech firms, universities

AI set the tech world on fire last year and it’s not stopping anytime soon.

Almost a quarter of global jobs is expected to change within the next five years thanks to AI , and with only a small percentage of workers with skills in this field, the rush to learn the ins-and-outs of AI is ever more important. 

Embark on an AI revolution with UT Austin. Two course start dates per year. Accessible $10,000 tuition.

“AI is providing people with on-demand learning anywhere they are at any time of day on any day,” says Jared Curham, a professor of work and organizational studies at MIT’s Sloan School of Management . Curhan recently launched two new AI-powered courses focused on the world of strategic negotiation and says that the technology is overall making education more accessible with personalized feedback and coaching.

While there are an increasing number of full-fledged AI degree programs , including within business schools , some students may be looking for a simpler or self-paced route. If you’re interested in learning more about this in-demand field, several top tech firms and universities offer free online courses that serve as an introduction to AI technologies.

AWS Skill Builder

Amazon has more than 100 free and low-cost AI courses and learning resources available through AWS . Learners can obtain the basic skills in machine learning, generative AI, and foundational models. As a whole, the company has a commitment to provide free AI skills training to 2 million people by 2025.

The machine learning plan has nearly seven hours of free content in which individuals can learn the foundations of the technology, including relevant terminology, and decision-making processes. It also teaches users how to utilize Amazon SageMaker , the company’s machine learning platform used by companies like AT&T and LG .

Google: Google AI for Everyone

Google offers a beginner course for anyone who may be interested in how AI is being used in the real world. Google AI for Everyone , which is offered through online education platform edX , is a self-paced course that takes about four weeks to complete, assuming you dedicate two-to-three hours per week to the course. Participants learn about both AI and machine-learning principles and real-world applications of the technologies.

Google also covers what AI programming looks like and the process of teaching a computer how to learn. The course is taught by Laurence Moroney , who leads AI Advocacy at Google as part of the Google Research into Machine Intelligence (RMI) team. Nearly 12,000 people have enrolled in this free online course, according to edX.

Harvard University: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python

If you’re one of the 5.7 million people who has taken Harvard University’s CS50 Introduction to Computer Science course through edX , then the university’s introductory AI class might be the best option for you. CS50, which is one of the most popular free online courses of all time, is a prerequisite for Harvard’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python course.

This seven-week course covers AI algorithms, game-playing engines, handwriting recognition, and machine translation. Students have to commit between 10 and 30 hours per week to complete the course, which includes hands-on projects and lectures. The course is taught by David J. Malan , a renowned computer scientist and Harvard professor.

IBM: AI Foundations for Everyone

IBM, which is recognized as a revolutionary leader in emerging technologies, offers an AI Foundations for Everyone specialization through Coursera. The specialization includes three courses:

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Getting Started with AI using IBM Watson
• Building AI Powered Chatbots Without Programming   

The entire specialization takes about three months to complete, assuming you dedicate two hours per week to coursework. Students will learn the basics of what AI is, as well as its applications and ethical concerns. They’ll also hear from experts about starting a career in AI. The program is taught by Rav Ahuja and Antonio Cangiano, who work for IBM’s Skills Network . Participants earn a certificate upon completion.

Intel has a goal to provide more than 30 million people with AI skills by 2030 . As part of this commitment, the company provides dozens of free self-paced courses online on subjects such as deep learning for robotics, deep learning, and natural language processing. 

Intel also has several “AI Concepts” educational pages that will walk you through definitions, real-world examples, tools, and resources for topics such as generative AI, AI inference, and transfer learning. Additionally, the company provides free on-demand webinars on more advanced AI use cases such as optimizing transformer models, optimizing AI workloads, and AI performance tuning.

University of California—Davis: Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Ethics

As part of its Computational Social Science specialization through Coursera, the University of California—Davis offers a course focused on AI: Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Ethics . During this four-week course, participants learn about big data and its limitations, the history of artificial intelligence, and research ethics. The entire self-paced course takes about 12 total hours to complete.

The course is taught by Martin Hilbert, who is a professor at UC Davis and serves as a chair for computational social science. The course uses case studies to help participants learn AI concepts. More than 31,000 participants have completed this course, and those who do earn a certificate that can be shared on LinkedIn.

University of Pennsylvania: AI for Business

For someone who may be looking to break into AI or who wants to learn more about the applications of this new technology to different industries, the University of Pennsylvania offers a string of courses focused on artificial intelligence. The AI for Business specialization includes four courses:

• AI Fundamentals for Non-Data Scientists
• AI Applications in Marketing and Finance
• AI Applications in People Management
• AI Strategy and Governance  

These beginner courses take a total of about four months to complete and culminate in an applied learning project. Program participants complete peer-reviewed exercises to illustrate what they’ve learned about data analytics, machine learning tools, and people management. The specialization is taught by eight UPenn professors from the Wharton School , a top-ranked business school by Fortune Education, and other professors from the university. The courses are offered through online education platform Coursera, and students can earn a certificate that can be displayed on their LinkedIn profile.

Frequently asked questions

Which course is best in ai.

There is no one best course or program since AI is still so new. What ultimately matters is your curiosity to learn about AI, which you can do by working directly with prompt engineering or machine learning to gain hands-on skills.

Can I learn AI in three months?

You can certainly learn the foundations of AI in three months—especially if you already have a background in computer science. It is important to keep in mind that because AI is always changing and developing, you will need to keep up to date with the latest trends if you are looking to pursue a career focused on working with the technology.

How to learn AI for beginners?

Taking  free AI courses on platforms such as Udemy or Codecademy is a great place to learn AI if you’re a beginner. You can also learn AI by watching YouTube videos or reading through AI subreddits. The number of ways to learn AI are only growing, so there is ultimately no perfect path. Above all, just be curious, ask important questions, and don’t be afraid to dive down rabbit holes

Check out all of  Fortune’ s  rankings of degree programs , and learn more about specific career paths .

Sydney Lake contributed to this piece.

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The core focus of this innovative MA is exceptional education. This course meets the needs of those who wish to further their knowledge of the theory and processes of education. The course may be undertaken on an individual or collective basis, with groups of teachers and education professionals both eligible to enrol.

Structured so that assignments can be built into your working practice, the course will maximise the effectiveness of your teaching, leadership and management. We encourage participants to evaluate existing practices, develop new approaches and become immersed in action enquiry based research.

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• Our education department is at the cutting edge of teaching and learning practice in the UK
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• Accreditation of Prior Learning and Accreditation of Prior Experiential learning  is available in all but the dissertation module, allowing you to gain credit for prior study and experience therefore shorten your overall study period. Accreditation of Experiential learning will be through the production of a portfolio of evidence mapped against the learning objectives of the module that you wish to have accredited. There will be an extra fee for assessment of this portfolio.
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This is a 180 point Masters programme made up of various choice modules worth 30 and 60 points. For those who do not wish to complete a full masters, the following applies:

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Postgraduate Diploma 120 points gained

We understand that our students work in very busy environments, therefore we look to provide support wherever possible. Our principle aim is to tailor assignments to your institutional and personal needs, then use practitioner action enquiry and reflective practice as a learning model. All students will be enrolled on the MA course but may opt out at the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma stage.

The course title can be negotiated with the Programme Leader within the agreed pathways - that is, the student may wish to choose what appears in brackets beside the award title 'MA Education' on their academic transcript. The Dissertation must reflect the requested title. For students undertaking the course as an individual student, (not part of a group), you must choose from a number of 30 and 60 point modules that include the following: · Leadership and Management (30 points) · Developing effective leadership and management (60 points) · Teaching and Learning (30 points) · Developing effective teaching and learning (60 points) · Professional Practice in Education (30 points) · Developing Professional Practice (60 points) · Research Dissertation (30 points) · Dissertation (60 points) · Contemporary issues in Education (30 points) · Research methodology in Education (30 points) School-led modules are led by schools and focus upon their priorities. These will take place at

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Developing Effective Leadership and Management (60 points)

The module is suitable for teachers and those working in educational organisations that have a formal or informal leadership role. You'll develop effective leadership and management, and apply the leadership and management strategies you learn to an improvement project.

Developing Effective Teaching and Learning (60 points)

These modules look at student learning and ways to improve classroom practice. There are regular portfolio tasks plus an action enquiry task. The module is delivered via blended learning via web resources and materials and learning conversations. You will explore the pedagogy, systems and structures of learning in the classroom, and investigate current research into learning in order to improve practice. You'll reflect on your own practice and develop innovative approaches to learning.

Developing Professional Practice in Education (60 points)

This module is suitable for anyone in education interested in developing practice. It provides high quality support, recognition and acknowledgement for teachers for you in your professional development and encourages you as a reflective practitioner and skilled self-managed learner.

Contemporary issues in Education (30 points)

This module aims to identify critical issues that drive education policy and practice. The module aims to develop an understanding of contemporary education practice and critically evaluate specific aspects whilst fostering an evidence-based understanding of how societal and economic factors shape the core issues facing education

A total of 60 points must be chosen from the following final compulsory options:

Research Dissertation (30 points)

The Research Dissertation is the culmination of a student’s work on the MA Education Programme. You will appraise their knowledge and critically develop independent research skills to demonstrate mastery of a complex and specialised area in education. This research project is an individual undertaking and the final responsibility to display your ability to propose, design, conduct, analyse, interpret, and evaluate an ethically sound practitioner research study that has the potential to improve professional practice in education.

Research methodology in Education (30 points)

This module will provide a critical overview of research methods and approaches used for researching various aspects of modern education. You will be able to evaluate the strengths and limitations of various methodologies and different methodological approaches including qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, which underpin various approaches to knowledge generation in a range of education contexts. In addition, you will have the opportunity to explore philosophical, ethical, and methodological differences, which underpin various approaches of knowledge generation that can inform educational research. Advanced data analysis techniques will be explored for qualitative and quantitative methods, to enable you to add depth to your research proposal to help prepare you to undertake your final project. This module a good preparation for the independent dissertation research project.

Dissertation (60 points)

The Dissertation is the culmination of your work on the MA Education Programme. Having previously completed 120 credits at Masters (M) level the you will appraise your knowledge and critically develop your independent research skills to demonstrate mastery of a complex and specialised area in education. This dissertation allows you to conduct an in-depth research project which displays your ability to propose, design, conduct, analyse, interpret, and evaluate an ethically sound practitioner research study that has the potential to improve professional practice in education.

Action Enquiry for Improvement

You will choose an additional module from above or this one.

The main aim of this module is to help you enhance your research competencies and encourage you to critically explore areas of interest in your practice prior to starting your dissertation module for the MA. You will not be required to carry out a full research project but you will be required to explore why particular research methodologies and methods would be appropriate to investigating a particular issue or finding the answer to a specific question. The module will also increase your awareness of the kinds of practical research and development issues you may encounter in your professional work e.g. school settings, universities.

This is the step off point for the Postgraduate Diploma.

Dissertation (60 Credits)

The Dissertation is the culmination of the students work on the MA Programme. Supported by their tutors it is an individual undertaking and the final responsibility to display their ability to plan and conduct an ethical research displaying mastery of complex and specialised area of knowledge.

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The state of free speech on Texas campuses amid pro-Palestinian protests

Dozens of ut students protesting the war in gaza were arrested this week, raising questions about first amendment rights on college campuses..

By Marcela Rodrigues and Aarón Torres

7:00 AM on Apr 27, 2024 CDT — Updated at 12:44 PM on Apr 27, 2024 CDT

Free speech advocates contend colleges should be bastions of the free exchange of ideas. Texas campuses have been the stage of historical protests — from the civil rights movement to the Vietnam War.

But this week, when demonstrators took over the University of Texas’ south mall to protest the war in Gaza and the system’s investment in companies that supply weapons to Israel, state troopers began arresting them.

Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the troopers to campus in a stark contrast to his statement in 2019 when he signed a bill protecting First Amendment rights at Texas schools.

At the time, Abbott said, “Some colleges are banning free speech on college campuses. Well, no more.”

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Now he is urging schools to punish those whose views he believes are antisemitic.

As Wednesday’s demonstration went on, Abbott posted on social media that the protesters “belong in jail.”

Related: Why are Texas college students protesting?

More than 50 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested at UT on Wednesday as state troopers and police intervened. The following day the campus faced a 10 p.m. curfew. That’s prompting some people — from politicians to advocates to First Amendment experts — to question the state’s policies on free speech and students’ rights.

From coast to coast, pro-Palestinian protests have taken place on college campuses recently. Demonstrators are asking for a ceasefire in Gaza. They’re also asking universities to divest from companies that make weapons used in the war . Many demonstrations included clashes between protesters and law enforcement, leading to arrests.

The protests gained momentum after over 100 students at Columbia University were arrested and charged with trespassing after many set up tents and spent the night on the campus lawn.

Texas leaders didn’t want to risk the same happening here.

“The University’s decision to not allow yesterday’s event to go as planned was made because we had credible indications that the event’s organizers, whether national or local, were trying to follow the pattern we see elsewhere, using the apparatus of free speech and expression to severely disrupt a campus for a long period,” UT President Jay Hartzell in a statement to the school community.

UT officials noted that since October, the university has had 13 pro-Palestinian events on campus, about half of which were protests. They said that the events happened largely without incident.

Abbott’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment.

But students have the right to organize and express their ideas, said Roger Reeves, a UT associate professor of English.

“It was appalling, abysmal, repressive. It was awful,” said Reeves, who also holds two graduate degrees from the university. The “almost militaristic” presence was “absolutely unnecessary.”

Students at the demonstration said the events were peaceful until law enforcement officers entered the campus with riot gear, some on horseback and others carrying zip ties and pepper spray.

Abbott posted on social media that students “joining in hate-filled, antisemitic protests at any public college or university in Texas should be expelled” and “Antisemitism will not be tolerated in Texas. Period.”

Experts say it’s not uncommon for divisive topics to face pushback on campuses.

In recent years, conservatives objected when their speakers faced protests and were shut out at schools. Texas’ campuses now face increased scrutiny from the state’s Republican lawmakers as the schools are accused of promoting “woke agendas.” A recent ban on diversity, equity and inclusion , or DEI, programs has left many students and faculty saying they feel that the Legislature is infringing on their freedom of speech.

Wednesday was a “dark day in the history of this university,” said Michael Sierra-Arévalo, a UT alum and assistant professor of sociology. “I love this place. This place changed my life. And what I saw yesterday made me very sad.”

A UT spokesman stressed in a text message to The Dallas Morning News that protesters were arrested “not because they were exercising free speech, but because they violated institutional rules that they were warned about. Of course we support free speech. But free speech does not give someone license to commit other violations.”

Most of those arrested at the public flagship campus were charged with criminal trespassing. However, Travis County prosecutors found “deficiencies” in charging documents and dropped all charges.

Hartzell noted in his Thursday statement that 26 of 55 protesters arrested were not affiliated with the university.

Friday afternoon UT officials shared protest rules, which included banning people previously arrested for trespassing from university activities that are not strictly academic, such as for classes or living on campus.

Any student who might face such restrictions won’t be notified until after finals and graduation, officials said.

Meanwhile, advocates stress that officials cannot throw people in jail simply because they disagree with the views expressed, said JT Morris, a senior attorney at FIRE — the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

“People have strong views about the issue,” Morris said about the conflict in Gaza. “But it doesn’t mean that government officials can step in because they disagree with those views.”

Last month, Abbott issued an executive order he said was aimed at stopping antisemitism on college campuses in Texas.

He noted that recent protests over the Gaza conflict were antisemitic. He specifically singled out two pro-Palestinian student organizations, Students for Justice in Palestine and the Palestine Solidarity Committee. The latter organized the UT protest and was suspended by the university the following day.

These organizations have led campus protests nationwide since Oct. 7, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking around 240 people hostage, according to the Israeli government . In the months following, Israel started bombing the Gaza strip, killing over 34,000 people, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza . The Dallas Morning News cannot independently verify these numbers.

In his executive order, Abbott argued that the chant “from the river to sea, Palestine will be free” is antisemitic and should not be allowed on Texas campuses.

The chant refers to the Jordan river and the Mediterranean sea. Critics argue the chant calls for the elimination of the state of Israel, while those who use it say it is a reference to the location where Palestinians live and have lived in a call for their freedom.

Abbott stated in his order that students who violate it — including by using that chant, which was heard at the UT protest — should be punished in a variety of ways, including expulsion.

Campuses across the country often face protests when controversial speakers are invited. In recent years, often left-leaning students protested the presence of a right-leaning speaker , including some known for holding a white supremacist ideology .

A 2023 survey by The Associated Press points to the tension on campus. It found that Americans believe that people on the left enjoy more freedom of speech on college campuses than those on the right.

“Even very offensive and very hateful speech is protected by the First Amendment,” said Thomas Leatherbury, director of the First Amendment Clinic and professor of law at Southern Methodist University. “The only speech that’s not protected by the First Amendment is incitement to violence, true threats of violence or harm, and repeated, directed harassment.”

A state university can establish reasonable time, place and manner restrictions on protesters within limits, Leatherbury said.

“If a place has habitually been used as a place of gathering, a place of speaking, a place of protesting, then it’s a public forum and protesters should be able to use that to express any viewpoint that’s protected by the First Amendment,” he noted.

In 2019, Abbott boasted that he was furthering free speech when he signed a bill to protect First Amendment rights on Texas campuses.

“Some colleges are banning free speech on college campuses,” Abbott said in the video posted on social media on June 9, 2019. “Well, no more.”

After UT protesters were arrested on Wednesday, many recirculated that video and blasted Abbott over signing the law yet also calling for students to be expelled and protesters to be jailed.

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin, responded to the video with a post on social media saying “‘Free speech for me but not for thee.’”

The 2019 law regards common outdoor areas on campuses — such as the south mall where the bulk of UT’s activity was on Wednesday — as places of expressive activity and allows anyone to engage in protests, speeches and assemblies as long as they are not disruptive.

State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, authored the bill. A spokesperson for Huffman did not respond to a text message seeking comment.

The legislation came as a result of what many lawmakers viewed as the silencing of conservative voices on college campuses. During floor debates at the time, Huffman made it clear that speech has limits, such as words meant to incite immediate violence.

“Just because speech is offensive does not mean that it is not protected,” she said then. “So it would have to be determined that it was meant to incite immediate violence.”

Five Republican lawmakers sponsored the measure in the House, including Charlie Geren and Craig Goldman of Fort Worth, Tom Oliverson of Cypress, Briscoe Cain of Deer Park, and Dade Phelan of Beaumont. Phelan was not the House Speaker in 2019.

Geren, Goldman, Cain and Oliverson did not respond to calls or text messages seeking comment. Spokespeople for Phelan did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Oliverson wrote on social media Thursday that he supports UT professors being fired after some faculty protested the arrests and released a statement urging more demonstrations.

Whether a speech is considered incitement of violence is often subjective, experts say.

As schools prepare for the end of the semester and commencement ceremonies, security concerns continue to arise as officials consider potential interruptions.

In text messages between Hartzell and state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt obtained by The News , the Austin Democrat and UT alum noted that she was reaching out to others to explore ways to de-escalate tensions on campus and to establish a “safe space” so future conversations don’t spill out to “unsafe spaces.”

The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.

The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.

Marcela Rodrigues , Staff writer . Marcela is a reporting fellow for the Education Lab at The Dallas Morning News. She has previously reported for The Chronicle of Higher Education, Chalkbeat, and The New York Times.

Aarón Torres , Austin Bureau Correspondent . Aarón is an Austin native who previously covered local government for The Kansas City Star and high school sports for the Knoxville News Sentinel. He is a University of Texas graduate, and Spanish is his first language.

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Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texas schools to defy federal nondiscrimination rules

Dallas church opens pregnancy center with abortion resources

Iconic steakhouse expands to Deep Ellum

At least this generation of UT students is trying