The doctoral program in Education prepares students to examine critical issues in education in a rigorous and individually tailored program of study.
Our Ph.D. in Education program centers the School of Education’s Signature Areas of Distinctive Excellence: Inclusive and Antiracist Pedagogy and Practice, Digital Pedagogy and Practice, and Experiential Pedagogy and Practice.
Building on our history of unparalleled leadership and groundbreaking vision in inclusive and equity-focused education, students are encouraged to take advantage of the diverse expertise of SOE faculty and interdisciplinary study when exploring their individually tailored program focus area.
Application Deadline: November 15 | More admissions information
Designed to offer a competitive edge in future job markets focused on research/scholarship and university/college teaching, this doctorate encourages expansive and creative thinking and new ways of examining important and challenging educational questions and problems through sustained, cross-cutting, and in-depth investigation into a student-identified focus area of research.
Students take two required courses as a cohort (one on educational inquiry and methodologies; the other addressing systemic racism in education) and an additional course to prepare for dissertation work. Other coursework includes research methods; Signature-based electives; and an individualized focus area, developed in collaboration with a faculty advisor.
“I cherish so many memories from my time at SOE, but across all of them are two consistent pieces: community and purpose. At Syracuse, I always felt like part of a supportive community.”
Katie Ducett G’22, G’23
Students have the opportunity to develop and refine their expertise in university teaching through the nationally recognized Future Professoriate Program. The two-year program provides year-round professional development, portfolio development, mentorship, and a small stipend. Successful completion of the program culminates in a certificate of university teaching.
The Ph.D. in Education offers doctoral students opportunities to work with a cohesive and diverse cohort of fellow students. Students also are encouraged to join the Graduate Student Council and take part in the annual schoolwide Graduate Student Research Symposium, where students present and get feedback on their research; writing retreats; and community-building events
Graduates of SOE doctoral programs pursue prestigious careers, such as university faculty and researchers; higher education leaders; government and policy specialists; directors of public and private agencies and organizations; and education consultants and advocates.
Recent doctoral graduates’ dissertations include:
- Inclusive and Antiracist Pedagogy and Practice
- Learning in Relation: The Experiences of Disabled Genderqueer Youth Learning in Nature (Emilee Baker, 2024)
- A Prism of Blackness at Historically Black Institutions: Experiences of HBCU Students With Marginalized Racial, Gender, and Sexuality Identities (Gaelle Amazan, 2024)
- Nehiyaw Two Spirit Creation Stories: Re-Mapping Home, Desire, and Indigenous Education Through the Body (Ionah M.E. Scully, 2025)
- Exploring Students’ Emotions and Mathematics Learning in Social Justice Mathematics (Waleed A. Raja, 2025)
- Digital Pedagogy and Practice
- Relations Between Epistemic Curiosity and Deep Learning in Asynchronous Online Discussions (Yuri Pavlov, 2024)
- Making Sense of Learning in VR (Jason M. Webb, 2024)
- Exploring Digital Reading Through PISA Data: Global Trends and Racial Disparities (Ibrahim Kizil, 2025)
- Experiential Pedagogy and Practice
- “But Is it Worth the Maintenance?”: Exploring the Ways Adolescent Preservice Teachers Develop Teaching Identities and Implement Pedagogical Practices (Tiffany Hamm, 2024)
- Toward Critical Simulations (CRITSIMS): At the Intersection of Clinical Simulations for Teacher Education and Critical Race Theory (Marybeth Yerdon, 2024)
- Urban Latinx Community Engagement in Activism and Advocacy: Community Members Interrogating Educational Systems, Policies, and Practices (Jermaine Soto, 2025)
Program Contacts
