»Ph.D. in Education Admission Requirements

Chapman University I Attallah College of Educational Studies

To be eligible for admission to the Ph.D. in Education program, applicants must provide the following:

  • Graduate Application
    Online graduate application to the Chapman University Ph.D. in Education program.
  • Supplemental Application
    Supplemental application to the Chapman University Ph.D. in Education program (through the online application).
  • Official Transcripts
    Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts showing evidence of a master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
  • Letters of Recommendation
    Two letters of recommendation (e.g., graduate-level professors who can describe the academic potential of the applicant, someone who can speak to the applicant’s professionalism such as a current employer). Letters from relatives will not be considered.
  • Personal Essay
    A personal essay (minimum of 1500 words) that 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 may 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.
  • Resume
    A current resume showing relevant education and work experience (uploaded through the online application).

Optional: Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) results in the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections.

*The GRE is NOT required for regular admission to the PhD program but is considered, if submitted, and may enhance the overall evaluation of your application file. However, the GRE is required if you wish to be considered for our fully funded Chapman's Equity Scholars Fellowship.

After initial screening of the application materials, selected prospective students will be invited for an in-person interview with faculty.

Chapman Equity Scholars Fellowship - Admission Requirements

The Attallah College of Educational Studies invites aspiring scholars interested in pursuing a PhD with a focus on racial equity in education to apply for a Chapman Equity Scholars Fellowship. This fully funded support opportunity seeks to cultivate knowledge, theories, and practices to address inequities where they exist in K-12 and higher education settings, and to influence and inform educational policies around equitable access to learning. The successful applicant will conduct research using quantitative or mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative combined) research approaches, and will support efforts toward securing external grant funding for this research during their doctoral studies.

Chapman Equity Scholars

Join a community of scholars dedicated to advancing equity in education through impactful research. Visit the Chapman Equity Scholars webpage for details on admissions requirements and how to apply.

 

 

 

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2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

Learn more about the 2025-2026 Graduate Catalog.

Continuous Enrollment Requirement

Continuous enrollment is required throughout the Ph.D. program. Students who have not yet advanced to candidacy and are not enrolled in any other courses must register for EDUC 797 for a minimum of one credit each term to fulfill the continuous enrollment requirement. Students who have completed all required EDUC 798 Dissertation credits but have not yet successfully defended their dissertation and are not enrolled in any other courses must register for EDUC 798A or EDUC 798B for a minimum of one credit each term to fulfill the continuous enrollment requirement. See Continuous Enrollment for additional information. The maximum time allowed for completion of the Ph.D. is seven years.

Demonstration of Mastery

The academic progress requirements for students include a minimum GPA of 3.250 and successful completion of department and program requirements, including successful completion of qualifying exams, advancement to candidacy, a dissertation proposal and the dissertation. A dissertation sets forth a proposition in which the student advances and maintains an argument. Students will conduct research in their emphasis under the direction of a dissertation advisor and committee (see the Academic Policies and Procedures section for guidelines).

Fall 2026 Start

Application Deadlines

Priority Application Deadline: December 1, 2025

Regular Application Deadline: February 2, 2026

Late Application Deadline: March 16, 2026

Please note: To be considered for fellowship opportunities, prospective students must submit their application by the priority deadline date.