Compare the Ph.D. and Ed.D. Programs

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) – Educational Studies and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Studies are uniquely designed to provide the crucial integration of faith and learning and the theological foundations for the educational and leadership practice in Christian higher education, theological education, and church ministry contexts. Learn more about how the Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs compare.

The application deadline for both programs is March 1st.

Ph.D. & Ed.D. Comparison

Ph.D. – Educational Studies	Ed.D. in Educational Studies
For the... Researcher-Teacher Those in full-time faculty or administrative positions Note: The dissertation demonstrates competency in research and contribution of theory to the practice of the educational ministry	For the... Leader-Teacher Those in educational ministry and some teaching settings Note: The dissertation demonstrates competency in literature review research and contribution of theory to the practice of the educational ministry
Credits 18 credits – Core Courses 3 credits – Candidacy Examination Capstone 15 credits – Elective Courses 6 credits per semester is considered full time	Credits 15 credits – Core Courses 3 credits – Candidacy Examination Capstone 18 credits – Elective Courses 6 credits per semester is considered full time
Up to 15 credits – Dissertation The student must be enrolled for 3 credits per semester for up to 5 semesters. This constitutes full-time status. The Ph.D. dissertation includes six chapters. (18 + 3 + 15) = 36 + up to 15 dissertation = 51	Up to 9 credits – Dissertation The student must be enrolled for 3 credits per semester for up to 3 semesters. This constitutes full-time status. The Ed.D. dissertation includes four chapters. (15 + 3 + 18) = 36 + up to 9 dissertation = 45
A new cohort of students is admitted in the fall semester only.	A new cohort of students is admitted in the fall semester only.

Ph.D. – Educational Studies

Ed.D. in Educational Studies

For the...

Researcher-Teacher
Those in full-time faculty or administrative positions

Note: The dissertation demonstrates competency in research and contribution of theory to the practice of the educational ministry

For the...

Leader-Teacher
Those in educational ministry and some teaching settings

Note: The dissertation demonstrates competency in literature review research and contribution of theory to the practice of the educational ministry

Credits

18 credits – Core Courses
3 credits – Candidacy Examination Capstone
15 credits – Elective Courses
6 credits per semester is considered full time

Credits

15 credits – Core Courses
3 credits – Candidacy Examination Capstone
18 credits – Elective Courses
6 credits per semester is considered full time

Up to 15 credits – Dissertation

The student must be enrolled for 3 credits per semester for up to 5 semesters. This constitutes full-time status. The Ph.D. dissertation includes six chapters.

(18 + 3 + 15) = 36 + up to 15 dissertation = 51

Up to 9 credits – Dissertation

The student must be enrolled for 3 credits per semester for up to 3 semesters. This constitutes full-time status. The Ed.D. dissertation includes four chapters.

(15 + 3 + 18) = 36 + up to 9 dissertation = 45

A new cohort of students is admitted in the fall semester only.

A new cohort of students is admitted in the fall semester only.