The PhD in Education Program is individualized, interdisciplinary, and experiential. Students may opt to specialize in early childhood and early childhood special education (EC/ECSE) or incorporate coursework within a self-defined interdisciplinary program of study.
Have questions? Attend an information session or contact the specialization representative, Daniel Ferguson.
Many of the most well-respected educators and policymakers in the world have advanced degrees in early childhood education.
What Will You Learn?
The specialization features coursework and applied internships that will enable you to meet the following standards:
- Candidates will demonstrate knowledge of significant theory, developments, and practices in culturally, racially, linguistically, ability and socio-economic diverse early childhood education and early childhood special education settings.
- Candidates will demonstrate the ability to utilize and interpret basic principles and methodologies of interdisciplinary research design and data analysis within the field of early childhood education and early childhood special education settings.
- Candidates will demonstrate skills as reflective early childhood and early childhood special education practitioners, including demonstration of analytic and integrative thinking.
- Candidates will demonstrate ability to conduct, report, and defend original research within the field of early childhood education and early childhood special education.
As my doctoral journey draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect on how much I’ve grown as an educator, scholar, and researcher. My path has been a long and windy one, and very different from what I anticipated when I began my journey. I am so very grateful for the amazing mentors that I have had, the friends I have made, experiences in the classroom and at conferences, and finding my place as a teacher educator. The Early Childhood Education program has prepared me to honor the voices of children and families from diverse backgrounds and to support the growth of the preservice and inservice teachers with whom I will continue to work. The Ph.D. program at Mason has prepared me well to step into the role of Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama, and I am excited for the future! ~ Erin Geiger, current student
Since I started my PhD program at George Mason, I have met so many people who are like-minded and passionate about their research as well as service to their community. The PhD journey has been full of awakening and growth pain that helped me to break out of my shell to be bigger and stronger. My experience in class and doing GRA work is preparing me to be open-minded and critical to serve the families from marginalized communities and think about equity in the field of education. The feedback that my professors are providing in my life is shaping my worldview and building my character to be humble and professional. ~ Jihyae Choe, current student
The faculty and students I have met and had the pleasure of collaborating with during my time in the PhD in Education program have helped guide me in my goal to bridge research to practice. The mentorship I’ve received has provided me with the confidence to engage in independent research, teaching, and service opportunities within the early childhood and early childhood special education fields.~ Clarissa Wade, current student
Sehyun Yun, PhD 2022
- Dissertation Title: Cultivating Assessment Knowledge, Perspectives, and Competencies of Early Childhood Education Preservice Teachers
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Julie Kidd
- Employment on Graduation: Assistant Professor, Ball State University
Payal Shah, PhD 2021
- Dissertation Title: An Exploratory Study: How Early Childhood Preservice Teachers Construct their Understanding of Technology Integration in a Technology-infused Social Studies
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Julie Kidd
- Employment on Graduation: Research Support Manager, University of Miami
El'Tanya Brown, PhD 2020
- Dissertation Title: Not the Woman I Once Was: How Turning Points Shape the Trajectories of Military Mothers Parenting Young Children with Disabilities
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Colleen Vesely
- Employment on Graduation: Founder, Kinderjam; Instructor, American University
Rabaah Alqassem, PhD 2019
- Dissertation Title: Early Writing in Saudi Arabian Kindergarten Classrooms: The Role of Teacher Preparation in Developing Young Writers
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Julie Kidd
- Employment on Graduation: Princess Naourah bint Abdulrahman University
Rhode Fernandez, PhD 2019
- Dissertation Title: Observational Study of Head Start Teachers' Verbalizations and Their Relationship to the Mediated Learning Experience Rating Scale Scores
- Dissertation Chairs: Dr. Susan Burns & Dr. Julie Kidd
- Employment on Graduation: Visual Impairments Teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools
Each student in the PhD in Education Program is mentored by faculty in the development of their own personalized program of study that fosters their ability to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of significant theories, developments, and practices in one's chosen area of study
- Understand, utilize, and interpret basic principles, ethical practice, and methodologies of educational research design and data analysis
- Effectively communicate both orally and in writing to a variety of professional audiences
Supported professional experiences and internships beyond required coursework support mastery of these competencies, including:
- Attending and/or presenting your scholarly work at professional conferences to researchers, policymakers, and practitioners
- University teaching and/or co-teaching experiences in professional areas of expertise
- Supervising pre-service teachers
- Writing, editing, and reviewing for scholarly journals
- Research apprenticeships and assistantships
- Supported independent research in an area of professional interest
- Internships unique to the individual’s area of study
- Building a professional portfolio
The PhD in Education is awarded after the successful completion of:
- Coursework
- A comprehensive portfolio assessment
- A written dissertation
- An oral dissertation defense
Are you ready to expand your impact in the field of education?
A PhD in Education from GMU can help you reach that goal! Our accomplished faculty can help you leverage your existing expertise in the field of education and deepen your toolkit of professional knowledge and skills that will take your career to the next level of influence.
Our graduates have attained consequential professional positions such as:
- Academic faculty at post-secondary institutions
- Leadership and research positions in federal and state government, post-secondary institutions, research organizations, and non-government agencies
- Analysts and consultants with private companies, political advocacy groups, education or research think tanks, and professional associations
- School, district, and statewide leadership positions in major preK-12 school districts, technical assistance centers, and other informal educational agencies
- Curriculum and instructional materials developers
Our flexible student-centered program structure allows each student to design a personalized, interdisciplinary program of study that helps them to become outstanding educational researchers, practitioners, and leaders in their respective fields. Our faculty have strengths in:
Theoretical & Applied Research
- Choose from a wide range of advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods coursework options
- Have the opportunity to gain research experience on projects funded by federal agencies, including the Institute for Education Sciences and the National Science Foundation
Advanced Teacher Preparation
- Choose from a wide range of teaching and teacher preparation coursework and internship options, including opportunities to co-teach university courses with faculty and supervise teacher internships
- Receive advanced training in online teaching and learning
Education Leadership & Policy
- Choose from a wide range of coursework and internship opportunities in leadership and policy fields, both national and international
- Have unique opportunities for experiential learning due to proximity to Washington DC and several of the largest school systems in the country
Movement & Sport Sciences
- Choose an intensive Kinesiology program with opportunities for experiential learning in state-of-the-art movement labs.
- Or, create a custom program of study in fields related to movement and sport sciences, including teaching in physical education and sport management
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions and Answer Page
Frequently Asked Questions
Attend an Information Session
The PhD in Education Program periodically conducts information sessions to acquaint applicants with our program and the admissions process. Information sessions include an overview of the PhD in Education Program followed by breakout sessions with faculty who can answer questions about professional specialization areas. Scheduled sessions are listed at the top of this page.
Most students specialize in a single area of study with additional coursework in a secondary area of interest. However, it is also possible to have a dual specialization in two areas of interest or to work with faculty mentors to self-create a unique interdisciplinary specialization. Specialized coursework often includes individualized internship experiences.
Click here to search specialized coursework options.
Note: Students in the Kinesiology concentration follow a prescribed program of study.
Note: Students in the Education Leadership concentration follow a prescribed program of study.
| TERM |
CLASS START OPTIONS |
APPLICATION DEADLINE |
ADMISSION INTERVIEWS |
| Fall |
August* |
November 15th (Early admission**) |
Mid-December |
| August* |
March 15th |
Early April |
| August |
June 15th |
Mid-July |
| Spring |
January |
October 15th |
Early November |
*Students admitted in this application cycle can opt to begin courses in the summer term that begins in May.
**Applications received by the early admission deadline will receive first consideration for available merit-based multi-year funding package offers. Funding package offers will be awarded in subsequent application cycles if funds are available. A range of additional funding opportunities are available regardless of acceptance term (see PhD in Education funding page).
For more information and to apply, visit the admissions website.
All application materials must be submitted through Mason’s online graduate application. In addition to meeting general university admissions requirements, applicants will need to provide the requirements below.
Application Form and Fee:
Resume or Curriculum Vita:
- The resume, or curriculum vita, should reflect experiences and accomplishments foundational for a PhD in Education Program. It should be free of grammatical errors.
Goals Statement:
- The goals statement should be 750-1000 words and describe the academic and career goals that a PhD will enable you to attain.
- We recommend applicants are specific in describing their past experiences related to the intended professional specialization as well as personal and professional aspirations.
- Applicants should address their intended primary professional specialization or concentration within the PhD program. If there are specific faculty members within that specialization that the applicant is interested in studying with, this should be mentioned as well (this is not required).
Transcript:
- Students can upload their unofficial transcripts for application review. Please refer to the Office of Graduate Admissions for specific requirements.
GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores:
- Scores must be from an examination taken within the last five years. Official test scores must be received by Mason by the application deadline.
- GRE scores are optional for the Concentration in Education Leadership.
Three Letters of Recommendation:
- Recommendations should be professional or academic in nature.
- Applicants should follow the instructions included within the online application to submit the recommendation form directly to their recommender. Mason does not accept paper recommendations.
Students with International Education Credentials:
Supplemental Materials (optional):
- Supplemental materials might include writing samples of previous research reports, including published works.
- A description of evidence of aptitude to successfully complete required statistics coursework, including non-degree coursework taken prior to admittance into the PhD in Education Program.
All required materials must be in the admissions office by the admission deadline to ensure proper processing. If you are missing parts of the required application materials, your application is incomplete and will not be considered. There is a short grace period for Official GRE Scores to arrive from ETS for applicants who have taken the exam prior to the admissions deadline.
Program Eligibility
Applicants must have conferred a master’s degree prior to beginning coursework in the PhD program. Three years of relevant work experience may be required for specific professional specializations. Applicants must have a minimum 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale in baccalaureate study. The GPA requirement may be higher for some graduate programs. The university, at its discretion, may, in evaluating the meeting of this requirement, additionally consider the difficulty of the baccalaureate degree, relevant work experience, any/or other evidence of ability to succeed in graduate study.
The Ph.D. in Education admissions committee conducts a holistic review of all components of each candidate's application, which includes GRE scores (optional for Concentration in Education Leadership), GPA, fit with the program faculty research, publications, goal statement, relevant work experience and educational background or other evidence provided that supports the candidate’s qualifications. In addition, an interview with program faculty is required for admission.
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
| Virginia Resident |
$727.00
(includes MSF*) |
| Non-Virginia Resident |
$927.00
(includes MSF*; discounted from $1,641.50) |
| VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program** |
$617.95
(includes MSF*) |
| CEHD Course Fee |
$25.00 - $84.00 |
| Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$752.00 - $811.00 |
| Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$952.00 - $1,011.00 |
| Total cost for VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program* |
$642.95 - $701.95 |
Graduate New Student Fee
(non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$60 |
Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Internship courses will incur a higher course fee to fund on-site assistance involving intensive clinical training/supervision.
*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $155.00
**VA state residents who are eligible must apply for the 15% PreK-16 VA Educators Discount in order to take advantage of the lower tuition. Eligible students receive 15% off the total tuition and mandatory student fee.
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid.
For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, visit the PhD in Education funding page.
Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.
Initial Advisor
At the time of admission, students in the PhD in Education Program are provided with an initial point of contact from their specialization to serve as a temporary advisor. After no more than two semesters of coursework, students select a chair for their Program Advisory Committee to assist them in forming a program advisory committee.
Program Advisory Committee
The first committee, the Program Advisory Committee, advises the student through the development of a program of study, completion of all pre-dissertation coursework, and defense of the Comprehensive Portfolio Assessment required to advance to candidacy.
Doctoral Dissertation Committee
A second committee, the Doctoral Dissertation Committee, advises the student in the preparation, submission and defense of the PhD in Education dissertation
This document contains the following sections:
SECTION I: INTRODUCTION
- Comprises a description of the program including its structure, program evaluation, and resources for students.
SECTION II: PROGRAM GUIDELINES
- Comprises a synopsis of key applicable Mason policies and practices as well as additional requirements and protocols of the PhD in Education degree.
SECTION III: PORTFOLIO GUIDELINES
- Comprises requirements for documenting evidence of student learning and knowledge development throughout the pre-dissertation phase of doctoral coursework.
- This document includes guidance on (a) the portfolio process, (b) Portfolio I, (c) Portfolio II, and (d) Portfolio III/Comprehensive Portfolio.
SECTION IV: DISSERTATION GUIDELINES
- Comprises important information related to (a) the composition of the dissertation committee, (b) both dissertation format options: traditional and manuscript, (c) proposal and defense of the dissertation, (d) institutional review board approval, and (e) dissertation submission to the university.
This page contains forms for the program, including (a) program of study and related forms, (b) individualized course forms, (c) portfolio forms, (d) dissertation forms and resources, and (e) funding applications.
This page contains information related to (a) college-funded research assistantships, (b) grant-funded employment opportunities, and (c) other funding opportunities within and outside Mason.
This page allows you to search all courses offered in the PhD in Education Program and filter by: (a) specialization, (b) content interest area, and (c) semester that courses are typically offered.
Important Deadlines & Upcoming Events
Dissertation Defense:
- Spring: last Friday in March
- Summer: last Friday in June
- Fall: last Friday in October
PhD in Education Calendar
Student Organizations
PhD in Education Student Organization (PESO)
Graduate and Professional Student Organization at George Mason University (GAPSA)
This photo includes a few leaders on the Student & Early Career Council (SECC) representing the Society for Research in Child Development. (pictured from left to right: Dr. Ashley Stewart, GA State University; Dr. Michelle Brown, University of South Carolina; Amber B. Sansbury, PhD Candidate at GMU; Dr. Josefina Bañales, University of Illinois-Chicago; and Dr. Lorena Acevez, Child Trends)Mason was well-represented at the 2022 Association for Education Finance and Policy’s annual meeting, the nation’s preeminent conference focused on education policy research. Drs. Sam Viano and Seth Hunter and two of their Ph.D. students, Natalie Truong and Katherine Bowser, presented original research concerning student safety, teacher working conditions, and teacher evaluation measurement and implementation. (pictured: Katherine Bowser)
Daniel Ferguson
Carley Fisher-Maltese
Leslie La Croix
Bweikia Steen
Colleen Vesely
Heather Walter