Antioch University

What you'll study

Students follow a curriculum that blends shared seminars in diverse learning communities with individualized study within a chosen specialization. The program emphasizes integrating scholarship and practice, with attention to equity, ethics, and social justice. The terminal requirement is a dissertation that demonstrates applied, workable solutions to practitioner problems.

• Specializations: Environmental and Sustainability Education; Humane Education; Social Justice Leadership; Self Designed; Social-Emotional Learning; Waldorf Education.
• Format specifics: online courses, virtual residencies on the first Saturday of each term, and one annual in-person residency (four days each July).
• Credit transfer: students may be eligible to transfer up to 12 credits of prior master's or post-master's graduate study toward the specialization (subject to institutional and state regulations).

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a master’s degree (not necessarily in education) and have a minimum of five years of professional experience before or after the master’s. Candidates should be able to articulate a specialty focus for doctoral study and envision themselves as education change agents. Admissions materials are submitted via an online portfolio and include transcripts, two letters of reference (at least one academic), a résumé/CV, a ~1,000-word personal statement describing preparation and professional goals, and a work sample of up to 15 pages. The program does not require the GRE. International applicants have additional requirements. Ohio regulations may limit transferability of some graduate credits.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to function as scholar-practitioners who design and lead change efforts in educational settings and related organizations. The program is aimed at professionals seeking to expand their capacity for applied research, leadership in equity-focused initiatives, and influence in schools, community organizations, or policy-related contexts.

Scholarships & funding angle

Antioch offers the President’s Doctoral Fellowship for incoming doctoral students who meet eligibility criteria, including a minimum 3.40 GPA and relevant work/life experience; the fellowship provides a $12,000 award distributed equally over the first two registered years and requires full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress. Additional institutional scholarships and financial-aid information are available through Antioch’s admissions and financial aid offices.