Online Education Doctoral Degrees

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Available Online Doctoral Degrees in Education

Legacy Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degrees

Prepares you for roles in areas such as research, academia, and policy analysis within the field of education.

What is the difference between a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)  in Education and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree?

When considering advanced degrees in the realm of education, 2 predominant doctoral options are the Ed.D. and the Ph.D. Though both are esteemed and can lead to influential roles in the education sector, they have distinct focuses and cater to slightly different career paths. The Ed.D. is a professional doctoral degree emphasizing the application of theory to real-world educational practices and problems. On the other hand, the Ph.D. in Education is a research-oriented degree. It emphasizes generating new knowledge, understanding educational theories, and conducting rigorous research.

The Ed.D. is ideal for practitioners aiming for leadership roles in educational institutions, such as school superintendents, principals, or college/university administrators. In contrast, the Ph.D. is ideal for those who wish to pursue careers in academia as researchers or educational policy analysts. A Ph.D. can help you contribute to the body of academic knowledge and influence educational policies at larger scales.

In choosing between the 2, it’s essential to reflect on your career goals, whether you’re more inclined toward practical leadership roles or academic and research pursuits. Both degrees are prestigious and can offer rewarding careers, but they cater to different aspects of the vast domain of education.

Why Choose One of Liberty’s Online Doctoral Education Degrees?

Are you an education professional seeking terminal credentials? Do you have a passion for training the next generation of thinkers and leaders? If so, Liberty University offers a wide variety of doctoral education degrees that can help you pursue your goals. Throughout our programs, you can enhance your knowledge of education administration, curriculum development, learning theory, research methods, and more.

As a pioneer in distance education, Liberty seeks to provide online courses that blend accessibility, affordability, and high-quality academics. Our Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees can help you pursue roles in research or teaching at the university level while giving you the opportunity to complete a dissertation and contribute to the base of knowledge in your field. In contrast, our Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs can help equip you to solve practical problems in the field of education, particularly by allowing you to complete a final capstone project instead of a dissertation. With several degrees to choose from, you can select the program that best matches your interests and career goals.

If you already hold an Ed.D. and want to enhance your academic and professional expertise by gaining a Ph.D. Our Ph.D. in Advanced Educational Studies program will build upon the foundational knowledge you gained through your Ed.D., delving deeper into advanced educational theories and research methodologies. It can be your pathway to new heights of leadership and innovation in the education sector.

All of our School of Education initial and advanced licensure programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Additionally, Liberty is accredited by SACSCOC, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. You can pursue your Ph.D. or Ed.D. with confidence, knowing that our programs have met rigorous academic standards and accreditation requirements.

Our education doctorates are offered 100% online, so you’ll have the flexibility to complete your coursework on your schedule. By studying under faculty who have years of experience working in education, you can prepare to lead with excellence and integrity in your career.

Liberty University offers detailed information about the educational requirements for licensure programs. To see if this program aligns with your state, you can research requirements here: https://www.liberty.edu/statelicensure/

All of our School of Education initial and advanced licensure programs are accredited by CAEP.


Potential Careers with a Doctorate in Education

  • Curriculum specialist
  • Educational consultant
  • Elementary educator
  • Gifted education instructor
  • Instructional supervisor
  • Middle school educator
  • Postsecondary education instructor
  • Principal
  • Researcher
  • School administrator
  • Secondary school educator
  • Special education instructor
  • Training and development specialist
  • University administrator/professor

Benefits of Liberty’s Online Doctoral Education Programs

  • Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar campus – ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your online education degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
  • The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
  • Liberty University’s state-of-the-art online learning environment offers a wide variety of learning methods, including simulations, recorded lectures, digital collaboration tools, and more, to help you engage with your studies and learn practical teaching skills.
  • All of our School of Education initial and advanced licensure programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
  • Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
  • Completing an online Ed.D. or Ph.D. provides you with a terminal credential that shows employers you have reached the pinnacle of your field’s achievement.

Military Benefits

Service is important to us, so whether you’re currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served, or are married to someone who serves, we’re here to serve you. Liberty’s military benefits are available to:

  • Active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces
  • Reserve/National Guard
  • Veterans/retirees
  • Spouses of service members and veterans/retirees
  • Current Department of Defense employees

We are proud to support you in your pursuit of a flexible and affordable online education by offering you the following benefits:

  • Tuition discounts — $275 per credit hour for Ed.D. courses
  • Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder
  • 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

Military Discount for Ph.D. Students

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want — at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour. Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work towards your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession — for less.

Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

600+ Online Degrees

With over 600 online degrees, we have something that will accommodate your dreams and calling.

Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus

Our residential campus ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America. That commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well.

No tuition increase for 9 years

We want to help you pursue your goals – so while tuition rates at most universities have continued to increase over the years, the majority of our rates haven’t.

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Hear from our Graduates

“The best part of my LU experience has been my growing faith formation through my developing educational understanding, as an aspiring school administrator.”

Megan Schultz, EdD School Administration & Supervision

“Liberty offers an affordable, Christ-centered education, honoring the foundations of our country. I have learned how to apply a Biblical worldview to my work in public policy while adequately knowing history and the founding documents of United States.”

Morgan Schlesselman, Master’s in Public Policy

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James, Master of Divinity

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