Educational Studies, Ph.D.

The Department of Teacher Education and Higher Education (TEHE) houses two vibrant Ph.D. programs: the Ph.D. in Educational Studies with a concentration in Higher Education (HED) and the Ph.D. in Educational Studies with a concentration in Teacher Education and Development (TED). This Ph.D. program is designed to develop scholar-researchers, scholar-teachers, and scholar-activists who generate, understand, and apply usable new knowledge related to the education of novice and experienced teachers. Such scholarship connects research with practice, is informed by our mutual belief in socio-cultural and constructivist theories of how people learn, promotes the advocacy of excellence and equity in education for all learners, and facilitates the development of teachers as leaders.

Program Distinctions

The UNC Greensboro School of Education was named one of the “Top Graduate Schools of Education” by the U.S. News & World Report.

The Student Experience

Students will conduct research, have the opportunity to present and attend conferences, and explore careers as scholar-practitioners.

Ph.D. in Educational Studies with a concentration in Higher Education (HED)

The Ph.D. in Educational Studies with a concentration in Higher Education (HED) is a vibrant program preparing future higher education faculty, administrators, researchers, and leaders committed to advancing higher education research and transforming practice to build more equitable postsecondary environments. As such, we are committed to advancing students’ knowledge and developing proficiency in critical inquiry, inclusion and social justice, organizational transformation, and making research contributions to higher education. Our program faculty research expertise is extensive and centers on the experiences of populations impacted by structural inequality. Areas of expertise include issues of race and racism in higher education, Black P-20 student experiences, Latinx college student experiences, first-generation college student experiences, housing and residential life, LGBTQ+ issues in higher education, and parent and family engagement in college. This program is offered fully online.

Ph.D. in Educational Studies with a concentration in Teacher Education and Development (TED)

The Ph.D. program in Educational Studies with a concentration in Teacher Education and Development is designed to develop scholar-researchers, scholar-teachers, and scholar-activists who generate, understand, and apply usable new knowledge related to the education of novice and experienced teachers. The program is philosophically grounded in the belief that socio-cultural and constructivist theories of learning promote the advocacy of excellence and equity in education for all learners and facilitate the development of teachers as leaders. Faculty research interests and expertise in the program are extensive and include teacher education, math education, science education, learning, development, motivation, language and literacy, social studies education, equity education, ESL, and citizenship education. This program is offered at the Greensboro campus.

After Graduation

Graduates of the program will possess the skill required and will be well-prepared for continued success as higher education administrators, researchers, and educators.