» Ph.D. in Education

• Cohort model with entry each fall
• Cohort of 14-16 students each year
• 5 emphases areas: The program that can be completed full-time or part-time study:
  • Cultural and Curricular Studies 
  • Disability Studies 
  • School Psychology 
  • Leadership Studies 
  • Teacher Education 
• All classes are held in the late afternoons or evenings
• Low student-to-faculty ratio, with close collaboration between students and doctoral faculty on publications, presentations, and grant proposals
• Chapman Ph.D. in Education alumni serve in a broad range of positions throughout higher education, K-12 education, education nonprofits, the private sector, and beyond. See our Ph.D. Career Outcomes webpage for more details by program emphasis and our Ph.D Dissertations webpage for alumni research topics.

Acceptance into the program is based on an evaluation of the whole student, with no single criterion used to base an admission decision. There are no cut-off scores for the GRE or GPA. 

To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the following:

1. Online graduate application to the Chapman University Ph.D. in Education program.
2. Supplemental application to the Chapman University Ph.D. in Education program (through online application).
3. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts showing evidence of a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
4. Official Graduate Record Examination results in the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections.
5. Two letters of recommendation to include one from graduate-level professors who can describe the academic potential of the applicant, and one from someone who can speak to the applicant's professionalism (e.g.,  a current employer or a current colleague). Letters from relatives will not be considered.
6. A personal essay (minimum 1,500 words) will be used to assess the applicant's writing skills, career commitment, leadership potential, research interests, and professional goals (uploaded through the online application). This essay should indicate the professors with whom the applicant wishes to study and the ways in which the applicant's research interests align with faculty expertise. The essay should be substantive enough for the faculty to determine the depth of the applicant's thinking and commitment to a rigorous program.
7. A current resume showing relevant education and work experience (uploaded through the online application).

Attend an Information Session to find out more about the Ph.D. in Education program!
Register for the next Information Session here

You will be sent a free parking permit for the event.

Where is Chapman University located?

Chapman University is located in the City of Orange, California, near historic Old Towne Orange. Our beautiful campus is centrally located in Orange County, a short distance from the 5, 55, 22, and 91 freeways.

When are Ph.D. classes held?

All classes are held in the late afternoon and evenings, between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday. 

Is there financial support available?

Yes, all priority deadline PhD applicants will be considered for multiyear (renewable) tuition fellowships and graduate assistantships.

Are graduate assistantships available?

Applicants who would like to be considered for teaching assistantships should include details about previous teaching assignments as part of their program application. Highly qualified applicants will also be considered for graduate research assistantship positions.

What is the cost of the program?

Tuition for the 2023–2024 academic year is $1,650 per credit for the PhD in Education program (regardless of residency). However, all priority deadline applicants will be considered for multiyear (renewable) tuition fellowships and graduate assistantships.
Tuition & Fees » 

How long does the program take to complete?

Program course completion takes three to four years if enrolled full time or four to five years if enrolled part time. Time to complete doctoral dissertations varies by candidate. See the Doctoral Handbook for details about the dissertation phases.

When is the application deadline?

Chapman admits one cohort per year (fall) to the Ph.D. in Education program. See the graduate admission webpage for all Attallah College application deadlines.

Where can I mail my supporting documents?

Chapman University
Office of Graduate Admission
One University Dr.
Orange, CA 92866

How do I submit my letters of recommendation?

Your letters of recommendation will be submitted electronically through the online application. On the left-hand side of the online application you will be asked to input the name and email address of your recommenders. They will receive an email with information on submitting your letter of recommendation electronically. We do not accept written letters of recommendation directly from the student.

How do I receive more information?

The Attallah College of Educational Studies offers monthly graduate information sessions. These sessions are great opportunities to obtain further information about the program and meet with the program coordinator.
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To request further information about Chapman University's Graduate Programs, please complete the form at the link below so that the Office of Graduate Admission can send you more information about life as a Panther.
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Applicants to the Ed.S. in School Psychology program who are interested in the Ph.D. in Education may, with approval of the Program Coordinator, substitute 6 credits of doctoral level coursework for 6 credits of Ed.S. coursework. Upon completion of the Ed.S. degree, students can apply for regular admission to the Ph.D. in Education program and, if admitted, will begin the program with 6 of the 48 credits needed for the Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in School Psychology. Please see the School Psychology Program Coordinator for more details.

Dr. Keith Howard
Director and Associate Dean of Graduate Education

Dr. Keith Howard is responsible for the administration of the Attallah College graduate programs, and he primarily teaches in the Ph.D. in Education program. He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Technology at the University of Southern California. His research interests are technology use in education, ethical issues in K-12 education, and equity issues in mathematics. Dr. Howard has taught courses in Educational Psychology at USC, UCLA, and CSU Dominguez Hills, as well as courses in Teacher Education, Educational Technology, Technology Ethics, and Quantitative Statistics at Chapman University.
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Faculty

• Annmary Abdou, Ph.D.
• Quaylan Allen, Ph.D.
• Brian Alters, Ph.D.
• Meghan Cosier, Ph.D.
• Scot Danforth, Ph.D.
• Amy Jane Griffiths, Ph.D.
• Margaret Grogan, Ph.D.
• Dawn Hunter, Ph.D.
• Kelly Kennedy, Ph.D.
• Peter McLaren, Ph.D.
• Whitney McIntyre Miller, Ph.D.
• Lilia Monzó, Ph.D.

“Chapman has afforded me with many opportunities through obtaining my PhD in School Psychology. I truly appreciated the supportive staff and the coursework that helped guide my current career trajectory. I continue to adopt the steward of the discipline philosophy in all that I do.”

- Courtney Matz ‘14