Program Overview

Education Ph.D.

Join a collaborative community of scholars intent on pursuing research agendas that explore the toughest issues in education and discover new understandings that improve individual learning and the effectiveness of schools in helping every student achieve his or her potential.

Research Concentrations / Strands

• Applied Developmental Sciences and Special Education (ADSSE)
  • ADSSE provides a rigorous theoretical and interdisciplinary foundation in developmental science and special education, empowering you to improve the lives of at-risk children and youth and their families, with a focus on serving those from diverse sociocultural backgrounds.
• Learning Sciences and Psychological Studies (LSPS)
  • Join a community of learning sciences researchers who develop and test new approaches to learning — in classrooms, online, or with virtual, portable, networked or augmented technologies — so that the schools can more effectively teach students what they need to know.
• Policy, Leadership, and School Improvement (PLS)
  • As a doctoral student in PLS you will collaborate with internationally renowned scholars, engaging in coursework and developing a research agenda aligned with your interests and addressing today’s important and contested issues in education.
• Culture, Curriculum, and Teacher Education (CCTE)
  • Prepare to become an interdisciplinary scholar, advocating for change as an innovative and transformational leader in educational research and practice, engaging with teachers, school leaders, university students and your community.

Academic Programs

Education Ph.D.

The Education Ph.D. program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field of education, with a focus on research and scholarship. The program is intended for individuals who wish to pursue careers in academia, research, or policy, and who are committed to improving the quality of education for all students.

Expanding Educational Knowledge

The UNC School of Education is committed to expanding educational knowledge through research and scholarship. Faculty and students engage in a wide range of research projects, from the study of teaching and learning to the development of new educational technologies. The school is also home to a number of research centers and institutes, which provide opportunities for students to engage in research and collaborate with faculty and other scholars.

Research Areas

• Enhancing science education through collaboration and innovation
• Commitment to collaborative global learning
• Forging inclusive and accessible paths to STEM education
• Understanding how childhood peers influence the behavior and development of young children