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Students in a classroom: Pursue a Ph.D. in Education – Christian Education Leadership at Regent University.

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 Ph.D. in Education – Christian Education Leadership (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 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Christian Education Leadership, you can be fully equipped to teach and administer in Christian academia.

*The name of this program will be changed to Christian School Administration & Leadership starting with students enrolling Fall 2025.

Online
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January 13, 2025
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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 IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

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

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE

Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2024). Our programs have also been ranked among the Top 10 Best Online Graduate Education Programs in Virginia for 11 years in a row (2013-2023).

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

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

On completing the Ph.D. in Education – Christian Education Leadership degree, you can:

  • 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
$96Thousand
Mean annual wage for postsecondary teachers U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
Featured Courses
ECEL 710Christian Education - Philosophy3
Biblically-based examination and development of philosophically related influences in Christian education.
ECEL 715Kingdom Education3
Examination and application of the biblical concept of Kingdom of God/Kingdom of Heaven to Christian education. Cross-listed with EBIB 515.
ECEL 718Student Discipleship in Christian Education3
A study of the characteristics, equipping approaches, and assessment methods for equipping students as disciples of Christ. Cross-listed with EBIB 518.
ECEL 720Christian Education - Curriculum & Instruction3
Examination and development of programs, practices and materials for Christian/Kingdom education.
ECEL 751Funds Development for Christian Schools3
Development of sound fiduciary and biblically-based principles and practices for stewarding Christian school resources. Cross-listed with EDCS 551.
ECEL 752Starting & Operating Christian Schools3
Developing best practices and biblically-based approaches to starting and operating Christian schools. Cross-listed with EDCS 552.
ECEL 753Staff Development for Christian Schools3
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.

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before 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.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session MFriday, September 6Monday, September 16
Session BFriday, October 11Monday, October 21
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session TFriday, January 31Monday, February 10
Session DFriday, March 7Monday, March 17
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12
Session FFriday, June 13Monday, June 23

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

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

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5656$3,390
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8003$2,400
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8003$2,400

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5659$5,085
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8009$7,200
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8006$4,800

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5656$3,390
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8003$2,400
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8003$2,400

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5659$5,085
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8009$7,200
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8006$4,800

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

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 6 hours of research related credit, and (d) complete 16 hours of dissertation research credit—the total program is 67 hours. 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.

Ph.D. students are required to take the following courses:
EDCO 806 Multivariate Statistics (3)
EHEA 805 Advanced Research Design and Analysis (3)

“Regent opened a door to self-discovery and selflessness. My Regent instructors encouraged me to operate on a higher level of motivation and others-oriented awareness.”
Sandra Turner, M.Ed., 2016 Professional Development
“I just can't say enough about the program—it's everything I wanted.”
Gary Maestas, Ed.D., 2010 K-12 School Leadership
“My credentials from Regent helped earn me the respect of parents and the confidence of school leaders. I'm so pleased that I could go one step further and share on a national level.”
Catherine Webb, Autism Certificate, 2004 Instructional Coach, Giles County Public Schools
“I was eager to fulfill a lifelong dream and make a career change to education. Regent's Career Switcher program allowed me to complete most of the training while still on active duty. I was hired immediately upon my retirement from the Air Force.”
Joe Sexton, M.Ed., 2012 Career Switcher
“The program offered a great financing opportunity for teachers, and it also had that caliber of education I was looking for but at a reasonable price. Plus, it’s local, yet also accessible from a distance.”
Kristin Garmin, M.Ed. , 2016 Reading Specialist (with endorsement)