Ph.D. in Education – Educational Psychology
Your Research-Related Path to Purpose
Regent’s Doctor of Philosophy in Education – Educational Psychology allows for a broad area of academic inquiry with topics like psychological underpinnings of learning, cognitive strategies for learning in children and adults, creating environments conducive to learning, brain research, teacher education, faculty roles; and professional development in varied settings. You’ll be required to matriculate in additional research courses that will help equip you to use and develop the most appropriate and current theories and research to improve the academic and behavioral success of yourself and others. You’ll also develop habits of mind that will last a lifetime as you pursue rewarding and pivotal roles in differing settings.
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.
ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE
Regent has been ranked among Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for four years (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023). 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). Experience the Regent difference through the Ph.D. in Education – Educational Psychology program.
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 – Educational Psychology degree, you can:
- Understand the major theories in developmental psychology using select criteria including a Christian worldview and how that affects learning.
- Provide intellectual leadership in the field of education to prepare you to produce and publish original research.
- Teach at the college level in the areas of research, learning, and behavior management.
Career Opportunities
- University Faculty
- Curriculum Developer
- Educational Assessment Specialist
2022-23 Semester Check-In Deadlines
All new 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.
| Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Session A | Friday, August 12 | Monday, August 22 |
| Session M | Friday, September 9 | Monday, September 19 |
| Session B | Friday, October 14 | Monday, October 24 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 4 | Monday, January 9 |
| Session T | Friday, January 27 | Monday, February 6 |
| Session D | Friday, March 3 | Monday, March 13 |
| Session E | Friday, April 28 | Monday, May 8 |
| Session F | Friday, June 9 | Monday, June 19 |
Admissions Requirements
Step 1: Apply to Regent University
- Submit your application at www.regent.edu/apply.
Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial College Transcripts
- Email your unofficial college transcripts to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: Unofficial Transcripts.
- Upon conditional acceptance, Regent University will attempt to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution.
- International transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company.
Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID
- Email a photo of your government-issued ID to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: Government ID.
- Please note that all items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
Part-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career Switcher | $250 | 6 | $1,500 |
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $565 | 6 | $3,390 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $800 | 3 | $2,400 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $800 | 3 | $2,400 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career Switcher | $250 | 9 | $2,250 |
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $565 | 9 | $5,085 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $800 | 9 | $7,200 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 |
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
PART-TIME STUDENTS
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career Switcher | $250 | 6 | $1,500 |
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $565 | 6 | $3,390 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $800 | 3 | $2,400 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $800 | 3 | $2,400 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career Switcher | $250 | 9 | $2,250 |
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $565 | 9 | $5,085 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $800 | 9 | $7,200 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $800 (Fall & Spring) $650 (Summer) |
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $650 |
*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.
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)
Faculty
Dr. Carr is the concentration chair for Educational Psychology and is committed to your success.
Dr. Paul Carr joined Regent University as an assistant professor of higher education administration in the School of Education in July 2000. He came from The George Washington University where he was director of the Higher Education Administration Master’s and Education Specialist programs. Dr. Carr held several positions with The George Washington University including: director of special projects, director of off-campus technology, and research assistant for Dr. Gary Confessore and Dr. Reynolds Ferrante. Additionally, he taught master’s and doctoral level courses in the Educational Technology Leadership Program, Educational Leadership Program, Human Resource Development Program and Engineering Management Program.
Carr is a member of Sigma Tau Delta and a founding fellow of Beta Phi (GWU Chapter). A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Carr attended Virginia Wesleyan College and earned a B.A. in English with minors in art and religious studies. He then earned an M.A. in Education and Human Development with a concentration in Human Resource Development and a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Administration at The George Washington University. His research interests include autonomous learning, human resource development, and organizational leadership.
