PhD in Education with a Specialization in Special Education

• EDUC 800: Ways of Knowing (3 credits) OR EFHP 860: Critical Perspectives in Exercise, Fitness, and Health Promotion (3 credits) (Kinesiology only)

• EDRS 810: Problems and Methods in Education Research (3 credits)
• EDRS 811: Quantitative Methods in Educational Research (3 credits)
• EDRS 812: Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (3 credits)

• EDRS 814: Anti-Colonial Methodologies (3 credits)
• EDRS 818: Critical Discourse Analysis in Education Research (3 credits)
• EDRS 820: Evaluation Methods for Educational Programs and Curricula (3 credits)
• EDRS 821: Advanced Applications of Quantitative Methods (3 credits)
• EDRS 822: Advanced Applications of Qualitative Methods (3 credits)
• EDRS 823: Advanced Research Methods in Single Subject/Case Design (3 credits)
• EDRS 824: Mixed Methods Research: Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (3 credits)
• EDRS 825: Advanced Research Methods in Self-Study of Professional Practice (3 credits)
• EDRS 826: Qualitative Case Study Methods (3 credits)
• EDRS 827: Introduction to Measurement and Survey Development (3 credits)
• EDRS 828: Item Response Theory (3 credits)
• EDRS 829: Bayesian Methods (3 credits)
• EDRS 830: Hierarchical Linear Modeling (3 credits)
• EDRS 831: Structural Equation Modeling (3 credits)
• EDRS 832: Document Analysis and Archival Research (3 credits)
• EDRS 833: Participatory Action Research (3 credits)
• EDRS 836: Narrative Inquiry (3 credits)
• EDRS 850: Grounded Theory (3 credits)
• EDRS 897: Special Topics in Research Methods (3 credits)
• WMST 890: Advanced Topics in Feminist Research and Scholarship (1 credit)*

*WMST 890 is pre-approved for HE Concentration students; all other students need permission from their Program Advisory Committee and the Director of the PhD in Education Program.

Specializations

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.

• Search specialized coursework options using the Course Search Tool.

Concentrations

Students in a concentration have identified an area of study to engage in a targeted focus of study. Concentrations have pre-determined coursework that includes application and/or internship experiences.

• Education Leadership program of study
• Kinesiology program of study

Students have the option to add a graduate certificate to their PhD in Education degree. Information about these options can be found here:

• Critical Studies in Education Graduate Certificate
• Graduate Certificate in Research Methods: Applied Quantitative Methods Concentration
• Graduate Certificate in Research Methods: Qualitative Research Concentration
• Graduate Certificate in Research Methods: Anti-Racist and Decolonizing Research Concentration

• EDUC 998: Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (3-6 credits)
• EDUC 999: Doctoral Dissertation Research (6-9 credits) OR HE 999: Doctoral Dissertation (1 credit)*

*HE 999 is an option only for HE Concentration students. 

*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 satisfy the requirements below.

Application Form and Fee:

• Submitted application form and $75 application fee. Application fees are non-refundable.

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 in Education will enable you to attain.
• We recommend applicants be specific in describing their past experiences related to the intended professional specialization as well as personal and professional aspirations.
• Applicants should identify 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:

• Applicants can upload their unofficial transcripts for application review. Please refer to the Office of Graduate Admissions for specific requirements.

GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores:

• GRE scores must be from an examination taken within the last five years. Official test scores must be received by George Mason by the application deadline. This requirement cannot be waived.
• 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.
• Applicants should ask recommenders to comment on their experiences and accomplishments that are indicators of aptitude for doctoral study.

Students with International Education Credentials:

• Additional requirements might be required. Please see the International Graduate Requirements for additional information.

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. While 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, applicants can also submit unofficial GRE scores in the supplemental materials section of the application to ensure that there is not a delay in the review of their application.

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.

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): $163.50

**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.

There are a wide range of sources to help you fund your doctoral study, including:

• Loans and scholarships available through the Office of Student Financial Aid.
• Graduate research or teaching assistantships, tuition waivers, and fellowships available through CEHD, faculty grants, and the University Graduate Division. Visit the PhD in Education funding page for more information.
• Tuition reimbursement options available through many school districts. 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

Program Guidelines

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 POLICIES AND PRACTICES

• Comprises a synopsis of key applicable George Mason policies and practices as well as additional requirements and protocols of the PhD in Education degree including (a) academic integrity, (b) appeals, (c) committees, (d) continuous enrollment and time limits, (e) course requirements, (f) credit transfers, (g) exiting the program, and (h) graduation requirements.

SECTION III: PROGRAM OF STUDY GUIDELINES

• Comprises requirements for students constructing their program of study including (a) course level requirements, (b) types of course options, (c) required program of study components, and (d) program-specific course requirements.

 SECTION IV: PORTFOLIO GUIDELINES

• Comprises requirements for documenting evidence of student learning and knowledge development throughout the pre-dissertation phase of doctoral coursework including (a) the program advisory committee, (b) the portfolio process, (b) Portfolio I, (c) Portfolio II, and (d) Portfolio III/Comprehensive Portfolio, and (e) Portfolio Rubrics

SECTION V: DISSERTATION GUIDELINES

• Comprises important information related to (a) the dissertation committee, (b) both dissertation format options: traditional and manuscript, (c) dissertation proposal, (d) institutional review board approval, (e) dissertation defense, (f) final dissertation review, and (g) dissertation submission to the university library.

Documents and Forms

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.

Funding Opportunities

This page contains information related to (a) college-funded research assistantships, (b) grant-funded employment opportunities, and (c) other funding opportunities within and outside George Mason.

Course Search Tool

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)