PhD in Education

Program Highlights

This is more than a PhD — it’s a launchpad for a lifelong career of inquiry, innovation and leadership in education.

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Build Knowledge That Makes a Difference

Designed for research scholars who are ready to elevate education, USC Rossier’s PhD program offers an immersive, rigorous course of study that prepares you to investigate complex challenges spanning classrooms, institutions and policy systems.

Through close faculty mentorship, hands-on research and teaching assistantships, and a wide range of professional development opportunities, you’ll develop the expertise to produce high-impact, meaningful scholarship.

PhD Concentrations

Students select one concentration reflecting their core interests and are matched with a PhD faculty advisor within that concentration to guide their academic and research journey. Concentrations include:

• Educational Psychology – Includes research in the areas of learning and motivation, neuroscience of learning, learning analytics, generative AI, cyberbullying, socio-emotional learning
• Higher Education – Includes research in the areas of college access, graduate education, organizational productivity and leadership, college student development, and enrollment and retention
• K-12 Education Policy – Includes research centered on K-12 governance, accountability, politics, school and district reform, school choice policies and privatization, teacher policies, standards and curriculum reform and conflicts, organization and institutional change
• Teacher Education – Includes a focus on knowledge for teaching mathematics, teacher knowledge, mathematics education, mathematics teacher education, professional development and teacher learning

Curriculum

Conduct research that redefines education.

Pursue original scholarship that addresses critical issues in education and informs policy, practice and theory.

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Research, Policy, and Practice in Urban Education

EDUC 681 | 4 Units

Research, Policy, and Practice in Urban Education

EDUC 681 | 4 Units

Development of urban education through the social, historical and political lens as it shapes and influences education research and policy.

Introduction to Quantitative Methods

EDUC 682 | 3 Units

Introduction to Quantitative Methods

EDUC 682 | 3 Units

Basic concepts of quantitative/statistical methods common in education research, emphasizing applications with data. Introduces sampling, types of validity, statistical inference, bivariate analysis, internal/external validity.

Organizations and Policy: Current Issues

EDUC 630 | 4 Units

Organizations and Policy: Current Issues

EDUC 630 | 4 Units

Study of contemporary issues in educational organizations, policy and change in K-12 and higher education with an explicit focus on the improvement of urban education.

Controversies in Learning and Instruction

EDUC 642 | 4 Units

Controversies in Learning and Instruction

EDUC 642 | 4 Units

An introduction to learning research and theory, issues in learning and educational psychology situated in the context of diverse, urban settings.

PhD vs. EdD in Education: Nine expert tips to help you choose

If you want to elevate your career in education, an advanced degree can open the door to more job opportunities. Many schools offer graduate programs in education, but before you go down a rabbit hole of research, first decide if you want to get a PhD or EdD degree.

Read this story

Faculty

Meet some of our experts.

Dwuana Bradley

Assistant Professor of Education

Meet Professor Bradley

Patricia Burch

Professor of Education

Meet Professor Burch

Yasemin Copur-Gencturk

Associate Professor of Education

Meet Professor Copur-Gencturk

Jessica T. DeCuir-Gunby

Professor of Education

Meet Professor DeCuir-Gunby

“I received invaluable research training during my time at USC. From day one of the program I was able to work on research projects that were innovative and important in urban education, and I was fortunate to do so alongside a vibrant and passionate community of scholars.”

Federick J. Ngo, PhD ’17

Associate Professor, University of Nevada – Las Vegas