Our doctoral students lead the way in finding meaningful solutions
As a doctoral student here, you’ll go beyond the conversations about unprecedented challenges in educational settings across the country and globe — you’ll be on the front-lines in driving toward meaningful solutions that create sustainable changes for good.
First all, you’ll have access to our nationally recognized faculty, with the potential to support their research as you identify and pursue your other scholarly interests. You’ll have opportunities to present findings at national conferences and write grant proposals. You’ll also be able to tap into our broad resources, including research support and our affiliate centers and research labs.
Find Your Program
- Ed.D. in Leadership
- Ph.D. in Education:
- Ph.D. in Special Education
Ed.D. vs. Ph.D.
Our Ed.D. in leadership engages you as future leaders of learning organizations with practitioner-oriented knowledge and skills, authentic leadership and research experiences, and opportunities for reflection that will enable you to succeed in different leadership roles. We use three analytic lenses – equity, accountability and learning theory – to guide your coursework and enable our students from diverse backgrounds to consider learning through common perspectives.
Our Ph.D. in education prepares you for leadership in various educational arenas, including school administration, curriculum and instruction, research and evaluation, special education and disabilities, as well as private and public organizations and agencies. You’ll find opportunities to build on your experiences and interests through the advanced study of important ideas and practices, the conduct and application of research, and interactions with doctoral students and professors from across VCU.
Holmes Scholars
If you’re pursuing your Ph.D. and part of an historically underrepresented community, you could be eligible for the VCU Holmes Scholars Program. It provides you with resources and professional development to best position you for tenure-track faculty positions.