Lesley University Ph.D. in Educational Studies

Lesley's Ph.D. in Educational Studies program is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced study and scholarship. Educational Studies is defined at Lesley as an interdisciplinary area of inquiry that includes the examination of the individual and social processes of learning and teaching in institutional and social contexts. Study also involves integrating the study of cognition, learning, and human development with the study of institutions, organizations, and cultures.

The Educational Studies program, which includes three specializations, builds on Lesley's commitment to scholarship and generation of new knowledge, and encourages interdisciplinary study and recognizes the value of relating theory to practice. The specializations are intended to promote scholarly inquiry throughout the lifespan. Consequently, Lesley seeks educated professionals who wish to make an intellectual contribution to their fields of interest.

The application deadline for PhD programs is January 15. See the application requirements page for information on how to apply, or use the button above to request more information about the programs. You may also contact Graduate Admissions.

Lesley offers three specializations in the Ph.D. in Educational Studies:

The Adult Learning Specialization program is a 45-credit, post-Master's program that builds upon four central questions: How do adults learn? What is the relationship between learning and development? How does culture affect learning? In what environments do adults learn? The program consists of three phases of doctoral study: coursework and further development of the individualized doctoral study plan submitted at application (Phase I); doctoral study (Phase II); and dissertation (Phase III).

The Educational Leadership Specialization program is a 45-credit post-Master's program that prepares teachers and other educational professionals with the knowledge and skills to more effectively participate in the leadership of schools. The program consists of coursework, doctoral seminars, and the dissertation.

The Individually Designed Specialization program is a 45-credit, post-Master's program in which students design a tailored doctoral study plan that is matched to their educational objectives. During the program, students move through three phases of doctoral study: development of an individualized doctoral study plan (Phase I); doctoral study (Phase II); and the doctoral dissertation (Phase III).