Introduction to the Ph.D in Educational Studies Program

The Ph.D. Program in Educational Studies is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced study and scholarship. Educational studies is defined at Lesley University 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 Ph.D. Program in Educational Studies builds on Lesley University's commitment to scholarship and generation of new knowledge. It encourages interdisciplinary study and recognizes the value of relating theory to practice. The program also maximizes the opportunity for individually designed study in a domain of study structured by the student under the supervision of a senior faculty advisor. The Doctoral Program at Lesley University is intended to promote scholarly inquiry throughout the lifespan, and consequently seeks experienced professionals who wish to make an intellectual contribution to their fields of interest.

In 1986, Lesley University received approval from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Regents of Higher Education to grant the Ph.D. degree. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges has also accredited Lesley at the Ph.D. degree level.

The Ph.D. Program in Educational Studies is a 45-credit, post-master's degree in which students move through three phases of doctoral study--development of an individualized Doctoral Study Plan (Phase I), Doctoral Study (Phase II), and Dissertation (Phase III). For more information, contact Graduate Admissions.

Please consult the Lesley University Graduate and Adult Bachelor's Programs Student Handbook, or see the SOE online policies page for complete information on school policies and procedures.