Ph.D. in Education – Christian Education Leadership

Transform Minds for a Better World

The Bible regularly promotes education as an integral activity in life. Regent's CEL program emphasizes teaching for discipleship by equipping for competence in the Great Commission, Two Greatest Commandments and Holy Nation Citizenship, all within an excellent academic setting. The research based relational love motive, being crucial to both faith and learning is a mainstay of the educational process in this program. Maintaining full biblical fidelity, the program emphasizes the Kingdom of God and the facilitating role of the Holy Spirit in education. With this research-focused Ph.D. concentration, you will be fully equipped to teach and administer in Christian academia.

INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL

Capitalize on a higher salary with your Ph.D. degree.

EXPAND YOUR CAREER PATH

Take your career to the next level with exciting leadership opportunities.

MAKE AN IMPACT

Present ground-breaking research to improve the world of education.

Presented from a Christian worldview, this specialty degree is supported by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach.

Online

8-Week Course Sessions

75+ Credit Hours

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TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 75+

APPROVED DEGREE PLAN: Click to download PDF

Take Your Career to the Next Level

On completing this Ph.D. concentration, the graduate will be able to:

Master key approaches to problem solving through case studies.
Engage in effective practices of kingdom leadership, research, curriculum and teaching.
Foster learning environments essential to building high educational standards and Christian leadership development.

Career Opportunities

Christian School Principal
Christian University Faculty
Education Consultant

9% Projected increase for jobs in this career field by 2026. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Click any section below for additional information

Code

Name

Credits

Code: ECEL 710

Name: Christian Education - Philosophy

Credits: 3

Biblically-based examination and development of philosophically related influences in Christian education.

Code: ECEL 715

Name: Kingdom Education

Credits: 3

Examination and application of the biblical concept of Kingdom of God/Kingdom of Heaven to Christian education.

Code: ECEL 718

Name: Student Discipleship in Christian Education

Credits: 3

A study of the characteristics, equipping approaches, and assessment methods for equipping students as disciples of Christ. Prerequisite: ECEL 753.

Code: ECEL 720

Name: Christian Education - Curriculum & Instruction

Credits: 3

Examination and development of programs, practices and materials for Christian/Kingdom education.

Code: ECEL 751

Name: Financial Management for Christian Schools

Credits: 3

Development of sound fiduciary and biblically-based principles and practices for stewarding Christian school resources. Cross-listed with EDCS 551.

Code: ECEL 752

Name: Starting & Operating Christian Schools

Credits: 3

Developing best practices and biblically-based approaches to starting and operating Christian schools. Cross-listed with EDCS 552.

Code: ECEL 753

Name: Staff Development for Christian Schools

Credits: 3

Development of teaching, administrative, and support staff as disciples of Christ to be able to in turn disciple others within the Christian school environment. Cross-listed with EDCS 553.

Code: EDCO 800

Name: Qualitative Data Analysis

Credits: 3

Theory and practice in analyzing qualitative data. Topics include coding, meaning generation and validation.

Code: EDCO 801

Name: Strategic Planning & Program Evaluation

Credits: 3

Examines strategic planning and the role of program evaluation in the planning/implementation/evaluation cycle to include the curriculum planning process. Topics include various theoretical and philosophical perspectives, alternative evaluation designs and related methodologies including collaborative action research and issues related to design, measurement and utilization. The goal is to help educators become active collaborators in the evaluation process and to give them the tools to judge the value of an evaluation. Whether the task is designing an internal evaluation of a local program, contracting for an external evaluation at the district level, or critically reviewing an evaluation report as a basis for making an administrative decision, this course offers important leadership preparation. Each student will prepare an evaluability assessment related to a self-selected educational program in his/her area of concentration. Prerequisite: a graduate level research course. Cross-listed with EDCO 501.

Code: EDCO 802

Name: Analysis of Variance

Credits: 1

Examines various ANOVA statistical procedures as applied to educational research with emphasis on understanding the research context, assumptions, notations and interpretations. Covers factorial ANOVA to include mixed designs, analysis of covariance and multivariate variations. SPSS will be used for all statistical calculations. Prerequisites: EFND 702 and Educational Statistics Course.

Code: EDCO 803

Name: Regression & Correlation

Credits: 1

Covers the statistical procedures that are most frequently encountered in doctoral-level correlation research with emphasis on understanding the research context, assumptions, notations and interpretations. Major topics include multiple regression and correlation, logistic regression and discriminate analysis. Covers both hypotheses of association and prediction. SPSS will be used for all statistical calculation. Prerequisites: EFND 702 and Educational Statistics Course.

Code: EDCO 804

Name: Structure & Reliability Analysis

Credits: 1

Covers statistical procedures used for structure and reliability analysis as applied to educational research with emphasis on understanding the research context, assumptions, notations and interpretations associated with each statistical procedures. Major topics include factor analysis, an introduction to structural equation modeling and reliability analysis to include alternate form reliability, test-retest reliability, inter-tester reliability and internal consistency (i.e., split-half to include use of the Spearman-Brown prophecy formula, Kudder-Richardson formulas and Cronbach's coefficient alpha). SPSS will be used for all statistical calculations. Prerequisites: EFND 702 and Educational Statistics.

Code: EDUC 700

Name: Online Orientation

Credits: 0

Required during the first semester of enrollment in some programs; acclimates students to Blackboard, the platform from which online classes are launched.

Code: EFND 702

Name: Research Design & Analysis

Credits: 3

Overview of scholarly research and methods to evaluate research. Presents the basic concepts of quantitative and qualitative research methods and the diverse approaches to scholarly inquiry and reflective practice.

Code: EFND 722

Name: Educational Statistics

Credits: 3

Basic understanding of statistical methods, particularly as they pertain to research in education. Focuses on conceptual rather than mathematical and applied rather than theoretical. Understand why a particular statistical technique is appropriate and how to make sense of the results obtained from its utilization rather than to understand the full mathematical underpinnings of the statistic. SPSS will be used as a productivity tool to perform all statistical procedures. Specific topics include descriptive statistics, visual representation of data, hypothesis testing, regression and correlation.

Code: EFND 800

Name: Issues in Education

Credits: 3

An advanced examination of current educational issues and contributing factors.

Code: EFND 906 A, B, C

Name: Dissertation

Credits: 5 each

Doctoral candidates will work with their dissertation committee to defend their proposal, research and collect data, write and defend five chapters of their dissertation. Each candidate must register for a minimum of 15 dissertation credits. The credits will be equally distributed into 5-credit segments over 3 consecutive semesters.

Code: EHEA 805

Name: Advanced Research Design & Analysis

Credits: 3

Designed to provide advanced skills and knowledge to doctoral students for them to design and carry out and evaluate sophisticated research studies. As an advanced course it provides an in-depth examination of the issues and problems facing the educational researcher as he/she organizes a research study or a program evaluation. The course is not bound to any one paradigm, but examines educational research from various perspectives. The course focuses on the theory behind the methodology, advanced research design techniques and associated statistical procedures, internal and external validity, mixed methodology and qualitative research tools common to the practice of education. Prerequisites: EFND 702, EFND 722.

Code: UNIV 500

Name: Regent Foundations for Graduate Success

Credits: 2

An online two-credit course designed to help acclimate students to Regent University and online learning. It will provide the knowledge, resources and essential skills needed for success at the graduate level. Topics include academic writing, online learning, information literacy, and advising and support services. It may be required for some students as a condition of admission, and may substitute for UNIV LIB Information Research and Resources and/or ENGL 500 Graduate Academic Writing Seminar.

Code: UNIV LIB

Name: Information Research & Resources

Credits: 0

In this exploding age of information, it is the objective of the library faculty to prepare graduates to be on the cutting edge of information technology. Information literacy is the ability to effectively access information for problem solving and decision-making; thus, the knowledge and abilities you glean from this course will open doors to lifelong learning. It is imperative for graduate study research. Since the information learned in this course is a vital foundation for all other coursework, its completion is required within the first semester of study. The course takes approximately ten hours to complete.

2019-2020 Semester Check-In Deadlines:

All new students are expected to check-in for the semester 2 weeks prior to the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

Session	Semester Check-In	Session Start Date
Session A	Friday, August 9	Monday, August 26
Session M	Friday, September 13	Monday, September 23
Session B	Friday, October 18	Monday, October 28
Session C	Friday, January 3	Monday, January 13
Session T	Friday, January 31	Monday, February 10
Session D	Friday, March 6	Monday, March 16
Session E	Friday, May 1	Monday, May 11
Session F	Friday, June 12	Monday, June 22

Application Process – Doctoral Programs (Ph.D.)

Step 1: Application
Submit your application using our Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Application Fee
Pay the $50 application fee online during the application process via our Miscellaneous Payments Form, or by check or money order mailed to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.

Fee Waiver: Attend a graduate School of Education on-campus or online information session to learn how to streamline your application process, discover financial aid resources and waive your $50 application fee.

Step 3: Graduate Program Academic Paper
Please submit a scholarly or published writing sample that demonstrates your research, writing, analytical and problem-solving skills. This writing sample may include either a copy of your master's thesis (or a portion of it, plus biography), or a formal paper or report. Research skills mean both the skill to utilize a writing style manual (e.g., APA) and the skill of integrating published research into an academic paper or report. Email to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SOE Doctoral Application Pieces or fax to 757.352.4725.

Step 4: Submit your Unofficial College Transcripts
We are able to examine and view your unofficial transcripts from U.S.-based schools, which indicate successful completion of bachelor's and master's degree programs, in order to review you for an admissions decision. Please submit your unofficial transcript to our Admissions Office by email to transcripts@regent.edu using the subject line: SOE Doctoral Application Pieces.

Non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company. For further details, please review the International Admissions Checklist on the International Students Admissions page.

International Applicants: Please visit the International Students Admissions page for a more detailed explanation of the Regent University application information and to determine whether or not you qualify as an international student.

*Upon conditional acceptance to the program by review of unofficial transcripts, Regent University's Admissions Office will attempt to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institutions, which indicate successful completion of bachelor's and master's degree programs. We will notify you if your previous institutions will not release transcripts directly to us.

Step 5: Complete Your Admissions Questionnaire
Please complete a brief admissions questionnaire based on your professional goals and interests. This should only take a few minutes to complete, but please answer the questions completely and thoughtfully. This gives us a better opportunity to get to know you and align your objectives with our programs. The admissions questionnaire can be found here. Once completed, it will be sent directly to an enrollment counselor who will be in touch with you right away to help complete the rest of your application.

Step 6: Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Simply scan and upload a copy of your driver's license, high school ID, passport, permanent resident card or official government ID card, using our secure and convenient online tool. If you would prefer to take a picture of your government-issued ID and email that to our office, please attach your ID and email to apply@regent.edu with the subject line: Government ID.

Step 7: Admissions Interview
If an interview is necessary, the admissions office will contact you to schedule an appointment. The interview can be conducted on campus or over the phone and typically takes about an hour.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

2018-19 Tuition Rates
2019-20 Tuition Rates

2018-19 Tuition Rates

Degree Level / Program	Cost Per Credit Hour
Ed.S.	$715 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state)
Ed.D. & Ph.D.	$775 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state)

2019-20 Tuition Rates

Degree Level / Program	Cost Per Credit Hour
Ed.S.	$775 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state)
Ed.D. & Ph.D.	$775 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state)

(The Ed.S. program & tuition rate counts toward the first 31 credit hours of the Ed.D./Ph.D. Remaining credit hours toward a doctoral degree incur the higher tuition rate.)

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (Online Students)	$550
Library Orientation	$50 (one-time fee)
Blackboard Orientation	$50 (one-time fee)

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Estimated Cost of Attendance: View the estimated cost of attendance to see an example of the total cost of tuition and fees.

Learn more about scholarships and financial aid.

Ph.D. Requirements

A Ph.D. student will (a) complete 21 hours associated with the Ed.D. core curriculum, (b) complete 24-26 hours associated with an Ed.D. concentration, (c) complete an additional 9 hours of research related credit, and (d) complete 15 hours of dissertation research credit—the total program is 75-77 hours. The candidacy examination will be administered during the final semester of coursework. A candidate for the Ph.D. degree must present an acceptable research-based dissertation. The dissertation demonstrates that the candidate has technical competence in the field and has done research of an independent character. It must add to or modify what was previously known in the candidate’s field of interest, or present a significant interpretation of the subject based upon original investigation and research.

Research Related Credit:

Ph.D. students are required to take the following courses:

EDCO 801 Strategic Planning & Program Evaluation (3 credits)

EDCO 802 Analysis of Variance (1 credit)

EDCO 803 Regression & Correlation (1 credit)

EDCO 804 Structure & Reliability Analysis (1 credit)

EHEA 805 Advanced Research Design and Analysis (3 credits)

Faculty

Dr. Cox is the concentration chair for Christian Education Leadership and is committed to your success.

Dr. William Cox is a professor in the School of Education and is the director of Christian Education Programs. He has taught internationally and published extensively, with his most recent book titled Tyranny Through Public Education: The Case Against Government Control of Education. He was chairman of the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Toledo, and served as the Dean of Regent's College of Education and Human Services for three years. His research areas of interest relate to parental choice in education, Christian learning theory, and the educational implications of Holy Nation citizenship.

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