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An alumnus: Pursue a Ph.D. in Education – Educational Psychology degree at Regent University.

Ph.D. in Education – Educational Psychology

Your Research-Related Path to Purpose

Regent’s Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) 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.

Online
67+
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

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 – 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
$96Thousand
Approximate mean annual wage for postsecondary teachers U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
Featured Courses
EFND 701Advanced Human Learning & Motivational Development3
Major theories in developmental psychology using select criteria including a Christian worldview.
EFND 724Advanced Study of Theories in Learning & Development3
Provides some of the major conjecture and theories used to meet the learning and development needs of adults, and an overview of learning theories, their design and applications for the adult learner in various settings. Investigates topics to include self-directed learning, constructivism, autonomous learning, creative environments conductive to adult learning, designing and implementing training programs and instructional design techniques.
EPSY 760Collaborative Research3
Guided research collaboration with varying topics of inquiry.
EPSY 820Advanced Research Review in Educational Psychology3
Analytic review of Educational Psychology research and the processes for conducting research.
EPSY 830Culture, Communities, & Education3
Highlights a range of complex issues including shifts in cultural practices and implications of these shifts for human or social development in education.
EPSY 835Psychological Underpinnings of Learning3
Inquiry of psychological, cognitive, conative, and precursors to learning.
EPSY 840Theories, Issues, & Practice in Educational Psychology3
An inquiry of theories, issues, and practices of educational psychology in objective and purposeful milieu.
EPSY 850Advanced Study in Educational Psychology3
Advanced survey of the latest topics, lines of research and disciplinary foci currently being addressed in the field of Educational Psychology. Gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of the field and apply this to your personal career interests.

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)

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.

“One of my professors actually called me while I was in the program. That really opened up the door for me. Even though I'm doing this online, I still have a person and a face to talk to. Just having those lines of communication is awesome.”

Rahni Jenkins, MA, 2016

“After a month of online learning at Regent, I thought, 'Man, this is the best thing!' Not only did I get to learn my discipline, I got to learn how my values and my beliefs can be intertwined into my discipline.”

Shaketta D. Thomas, Ed.S. - Educational Psychology, 2017; M.Ed. - Curriculum & Instruction, 2013 Testing Director & Program Specialist, Virginia Department of Corrections

“The adult track of the TESOL program in Regent's School of Education prepared me to work with students on a beginning English level as well as students on the postgraduate level.”

Joyce Erber, M.Ed., 2009 TESOL

“Regent has played an instrumental role in equipping thousands of graduates. We have the power to use the knowledge gained and the credentials earned to serve, to advocate for, and ultimately to bring change and hope to the hurting world around us.”

Cindi Spaulding, Ph.D., 2009 Teacher

“Regent University taught me how to be a servant leader when it comes to reaching children. I've learned to not just teach students, but to serve them according to what they need.”

Anthony Swann, M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, 2014 5th Grade Teacher, Rocky Mount Elementary