PhD in Elementary Education

The doctorate of philosophy (PhD) in elementary education is designed to meet the needs of advanced graduate students who seek professor roles in higher education. Our PhD students are dedicated to furthering the profession in academic settings through their advanced research skills, teaching, and service. In this flexible, fully online program, candidates can specialize in a variety of areas within elementary education, such as literacy and reading, early childhood education, and more. As one of the few fully online PhD programs in the Midwest, our program is customizable to meet each candidate's specific goals. Many of our graduates teach at the postsecondary or college level. Others have leadership positions, such as administrators, policymakers, and education specialists. Students who have completed or will complete the online master's in elementary education (MAE in elementary education) can apply up to 27 credits from their master’s degree toward the PhD requirements as a head start in their course work.

To be eligible for admission to a doctoral or specialist degree program, you must have earned a minimum of a 3.0 GPA from the undergraduate degree-granting institution. For doctoral and specialist degrees that require a master’s degree for admission, you must have earned a minimum of a 3.2 GPA from the master's degree-granting institution.