Fully funding one’s Ph.D. means paying nothing out of pocket for one of the most valuable things in the world – a well-trained mind. When studying education, learning about life in its different aspects is a gift that is given to the next generation of children, future teachers, scholars, and researchers.
The 20 schools on this list have gradually become the top education schools in the country with faculty who know what it’s like to succeed…and every Ph.D. program on the list offers full funding.
Methodology
This list of doctoral programs, offering the Top 20 Fully Funded PhDs in Education, gives education professionals needed information on where they can find the best fully funded Ph.D. programs in education to help them expand and enhance their careers as educators and administrators.
The programs are listed in random order. They are not in a ranked order because each program has its own strengths. Consider each program individually to determine which one is right for you.
Each fully funded Ph.D. in education is a quality program. Inclusion in this list is based on the following findings:
- 100% fully funded degree program for high-achieving applicants;
- Coursework is designed to prepare professional educators and education administrators to transition into top positions of education practice and leadership;
- Courses are prepared and delivered by top faculty in a top degree program;
- Appropriately accredited;
- A dissertation will be required.
To delve deeper, please see our Methodology page.
Top Fully Funded Ph.D. Programs
INDIANA UNIVERSITY – BLOOMINGTON
Education Program Standouts: The doctor of education programs at the School of Education at Indiana University – Bloomington are some of the highest-ranking graduate education programs included in both US News and World Report as well as Times Higher Education.
The IU School of Education is dedicated to preparing its graduate students for careers in government, technology, schools, and public institutions. The doctoral degrees in education are geared toward creative, technological, and leadership training.
Campus Location: Bloomington, Indiana
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Doctorate of Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- PhD or EdD in Curriculum and Instruction
- Specialization in Art Education
- Specialization in Curriculum Studies
- Specialization in Mathematics Education
- EdD in Educational Leadership
- PhD or EdD in Higher Education
- PhD in History, Philosophy and Policy in Education
- PhD or EdD in Instructional Systems Technology (EdD also offered online)
- PhD in Special Education
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- GPA (minimum GPA varies from program to program)
- Personal Goal Statement
- Official Transcripts
- Letters of Recommendation
- TOEFL scores (International Students)
Full Funding Options: Fellowships that offer full funding in the education doctoral programs at Indiana University Bloomington include the Dean’s Fellowship, Faculty Doctoral Fellowship, Proffitt Fellowship, and Malvina McNeill Fellowship.
Also, five different fellowships are offered to graduate students in the School of Education at IU Bloomington for members of underrepresented populations, three of which offer full funding. Department-specific funding may also be available.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTORAL DEGREES IN EDUCATION AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Education Program Standouts: Michigan State University’s College of Education has developed some of the top PhD programs in the country. The education doctoral programs prepare leaders in education to deal with current challenges and address modern educational needs.
According to their website, Michigan State University’s “internationally known faculty members construct rigorous opportunities for advanced study, mentor students and engage in millions of dollars of funded research.”
According to the US News and World Report ranking of education graduation programs, in both elementary and secondary education, the University of Michigan has ranked number one in the country for over consecutive years.
Campus Location: Lansing, Michigan
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Doctorate of Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- Curriculum, Instruction and Teacher Education
- Educational Leadership
- Educational Policy
- Educational Psychology and Education Technology
- Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education
- K-12 Educational Administration
- Kinesiology
- Mathematics Education
- Measurement and Quantitative Methods
- Rehabilitation Counselor Education
- School Psychology
- Special Education
Admission Requirements:
- Current Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Professional Goals
- Writing Sample
- Letters of Reference
- Transcripts
- GRE scores
Full Funding Options: While pursuing the educational doctorate at Michigan State University a variety of options are available for full tuition funding.
Graduate assistantships, the MSU Fellowship program which offers five years of funding along with a stipend and research funding for enrolled students are all available for graduate students who pursue the doctorate in education at Michigan State.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTORATES IN EDUCATION AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
BOSTON COLLEGE
Education Program Standouts: Offering some of the top education doctoral programs in the country, The Lynch School of Education and Human Development is consistent in its inclusion in top programs of education in the U.S. and worldwide.
Named as the #1 Catholic school of education by U.S. News and World Report and offering $15.9 million a year in research funding, the Lynch school is defined by active inner support and looks to offer the best success to the schools and people they serve.
The Lynch School is planning to launch four brand-new interdisciplinary minors into their existing education programs.
Campus Location: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Accreditation:
- New England Commission of Higher Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Doctorate of Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- PhD in Counseling Psychology
- PhD in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology
- PhD in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics and Assessment
- PhD in Higher Education
- PhD in Educational Leadership
- PhD in Curriculum and Instruction
Admission Requirements:
- Grades (graduate and undergraduate)
- Research experience
- GRE scores
- Personal statement
- Resume or CV
- Letters of recommendation
- Writing sample
Full Funding Options: The Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College offers numerous fellowships for graduate students studying education including the Barry Fellowship and Duvjnak Fellowship which offer tuition remission. Also available at The Lynch School are many graduate assistantships, in fact, 361 assistantship programs are offered for graduate students across campus.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS IN EDUCATION AT BOSTON COLLEGE
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Education Program Standouts: Harvard Graduate School of Education has one of the very top PhD in Education degree programs in the country. Harvard is currently ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the number one school of education.
With a long and outstanding reputation for excellence, Harvard also provides options for full funding to doctoral students which makes a Harvard Doctorate accessible.
Campus Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Doctorate of Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Education
- Culture, Institutions and Society
- Education Policy and Program Evaluation
- Human Development, Learning and Teaching
Admission Requirements:
- Resume and Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Purpose
- Three letters of recommendation
- Standardized test scores
- Postsecondary transcripts
- Supplemental form for the PhD in Education
Full Funding Options: Through the Graduate School of Education, Harvard University’s Doctor of Education programs can be fully funded through such fellowships as the James Bryant Conan Fellowship.
Those who are accepted into the Doctor of Educational Leadership degree program can expect a full tuition waiver. A number of other fellowships and grants are offered to assist students in obtaining a doctoral degree in education from Harvard.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHD IN EDUCATION FROM HARVARD UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Education Program Standouts: The University of Virginia has one of the top education programs, according to U.S. News and World Report. Ranked #17 overall in Best Education Schools as well as #4 for Special Education Specialty Ranking, The Curry School of Education and Human Development has made a name for itself in the world of education and educators.
Their missions are two-fold, to prepare students to work in education from kindergarten through college and to conduct scholarship and research that directly addresses the problems of education today.
Campus Location: Charlottesville, VA
Accreditation:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Inquiry Brief Commission of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Doctor of Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Reading Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction
- Doctor of Philosophy in English Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Gifted Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Language Education in Multilingual Contexts
- Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Social Studies Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education
Admission Requirements:
- Resume
- Writing sample
- Statement of purpose
- Possible master’s degree
- GRE scores
Full Funding Options: The University of Virginia Curry School of Education and Human Development offers full funding, such as the Dean’s Fellowship, for PhD students.
The Dean’s Fellowship offers four years of full tuition and fees, health insurance and a $32,000 yearly stipend. Full-time doctoral applicants to the University of Virginia are automatically considered for the Dean’s Fellowship.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FULLY FUNDED PHDS IN EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
Education Program Standouts: The Graduate School of Education at the University of California Berkeley has top-ranked quality and offers PhDs in Education that promote research in areas such as Critical Studies of Race, Class, and Gender; Culture, Development and the Learning Sciences and Social Research Methodologies.
The Graduate School of Education at Berkeley grounds itself in theory and practice equally along with an emphasis on making a positive impact on social transformation and personal growth.
Campus Location: Berkeley, California
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Doctor of Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Science and Mathematics Education
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Satisfactory scholastic average, usually a 3.0
- Enough undergraduate training to do graduate work
Full Funding Options: The Mentored Research Award and the UC Dissertation-Year Fellowship along with the Doctoral Completion Fellowship grant students in the Educational Doctoral programs full funding along with a stipend to assist them in completing their doctorates.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Education Program Standouts: The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education grants students seeking a top doctor of education degree the opportunity to do so with full funding. With an emphasis on both high-quality research and the building of practical knowledge building. The alumni at the University of Pennsylvania are recognized as some of the “most influential education leaders.”
Campus Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- PhD in Education, Culture and Society
- PhD in Education Policy
- PhD in Educational Linguistics
- PhD in Higher Education
- PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Development
- PhD in Learning Sciences and Technologies
- PhD in Quantitative Methods
- PhD in Reading/Writing/Literacy
- PhD in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education
Admission Requirements:
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts
- Official Test Scores
- Application Fee
Full Funding Options: All PhD students at the University of Pennsylvania are granted a full-time four-year fellowship that includes a stipend and student health insurance.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHDS IN EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
Education Program Standouts: The Doctor of Philosophy program is a part of the College of Education at the University of Washington. Offering one of the best doctorates in education programs in the country, the University of Washington College of Education is currently ranked No. 3 in Education Schools at Public Universities.
The programs include continuous research, a comprehensive foundation in academics as well as teaching experience.
Campus Location: Seattle, Washington
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- Curriculum and Instruction: Excellence in Content Instruction
- Educational Organizations, Leadership, & Policy Studies
- Leadership in Higher Education
- Learning Sciences & Human Development
- Measurement & Statistics
- Multicultural Education
- School Psychology
- Social & Cultural Foundations
- Special Education
- Teacher Quality & Teacher Education
Admission Requirements:
- GRE test
- 3.0 GPA
- Unofficial transcripts
- Goal statement/statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume/Vita
- Writing Sample
- Interviews
Full Funding Options: The College of Education at the University of Washington offers around 120 teaching, research and staff assistantship positions to graduate students every year. Those who will be primarily considered have a strong background in teaching, research or administration.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Education Program Standouts: Ranked #3 by US News and World Report, Stanford University offers one of the best PhD in education programs in the country.
The Stanford Graduate School of Education prepares the next generation of education researchers under the guidance of top academic faculty and advisors.
Campus Location: Stanford, California
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- Interdisciplinary Policy Studies in Education
- Cross-Area Specialization – Race, Inequality and Language in Education
- Curriculum Studies and Teacher Education
- Elementary Education
- Literacy, Language and English Education
- History/Social Science Education
- Mathematics Education
- Science Education
- Teacher Education
Admission Requirements:
- Application fee and form
- Statement of purpose
- Resume/CV
- 3 letters of recommendation
- College and university transcripts
- GRE scores
Full Funding Options: All PhD applicants accepted at Stanford are guaranteed 5 years of full-time financial support. Around 20% of the doctoral students at Stanford University are awarded the Stanford Graduate Fellowship in the first year of their doctoral program.
This fellowship offers 11 academic quarters of funding for graduate students. Students awarded these fellowships are part of faculty research and assist with courses through their apprenticeship requirements. Other grants and fellowships are also offered at Stanford.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHD IN EDUCATION AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS – AUSTIN
Education Program Standouts: The University of Texas – Austin College of Education ranks highly among the top doctoral education programs. According to their website, “The College of Education’s signature impact areas align the college’s strengths with essential needs in the fields of education in Texas and beyond.
They represent the major goals of the College of Education and help to determine how we will align the college’s resources to reach our vision.”
Campus Location: Austin, Texas
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Doctor of Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- PhD in Curriculum and Instruction
- PhD in Education Leadership and Policy
- PhD in Educational Psychology – Counseling
- PhD in Education Psychology – Human Development, Culture, and Learning Sciences
Admission Requirements:
- Application and Fee
- Transcripts
- GRE and GMAT
- Letters of recommendation
Full Funding Options: Fellowships are available for graduate students attending the University of Texas – Austin. One of the fellowships available is the Donald D. Harrington Recruitment Fellowship which offers up to 3 years of tuition remission along with a stipend.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA – LA
Education Program Standouts: Named the #1 Graduate School of Education and Information Studies by US News and World Report for 2019, UCLA’s Graduate School has proved its commitment to new practice, groundbreaking research and award-winning faculty in order to offer some of the best doctorates in education available in the country.
Campus Location: Los Angeles, California
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education
Admission Requirements:
- Application and fee
- GPA of 3.0
- Statement of purpose
- Diversity Statement
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree (check individual program requirements)
Full Funding Options: Students entering the UCLA doctoral programs may receive full funding for the entirety of their doctoral studies. If they do not, there are a number of fellowships, grants and assistantships that may be applied for.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHD IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA – LA
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN – ANN ARBOR
Education Program Standouts: The doctoral programs at The University of Michigan School of Education are designed to produce leaders in advanced education who are able to think rigorously, know the craft of research and make a difference in the future of education. With many concentrations, the PhD in Education is tailored to the unique interests and research of each student.
Campus Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- Educational Studies
- Educational Policy, Leadership and Innovation
- Educational Foundations and Policy
- Learning Technologies
- Literacy, Language and Culture
- Mathematics Education
- Science Education
- Teaching and Teacher Education
- Education and Statistics
- English and Education
- Education and Psychology
- Higher Education
- Academic Affairs and Student Development
- Research, Evaluation, and Assessment
- Organizational Behavior and Management
- Public Policy in Postsecondary Education
- Individually Designed Concentration
Admission Requirements:
- Application and fee
- Letters of recommendation
- GRE scores
- Transcripts
- Current CV
Full Funding Options: The majority of students in the doctoral programs at the University of Michigan School of Education receive a minimum of four years of full funding. This includes a stipend for living expenses along with health insurance.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTORATE OF EDUCATION DEGREES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN – ANN ARBOR
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – MADISON
Education Program Standouts: Ranked #1 among Public Schools in Education by US News World Report, the School of Education at The University of Wisconsin – Madison offers graduate programs in more than 12 areas which include occupational therapy, fine art and educational policy studies among others.
The School of Education provides some of the best doctorate of education degree programs for those who want to pursue a career in educational research.
Campus Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- PhD in Curriculum and Instruction
Admission Requirements:
- 12 credits in professional education courses
- Application and fee
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letters of recommendation
- GRE scores
- Statement of reasons for graduate study
- Writing sample
Full Funding Options: The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers doctoral students assistantships and fellowships, many of which cover the full cost of tuition and include a stipend.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PHD IN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Education Program Standouts: Teacher’s College at Columbia University, ranked #7 by US News and World Report of all graduate education schools, was founded “on the proposition that education alone can’t correct our society’s inequalities.”
In spite of being one of the top educational programs in the country, the Teacher’s College focus is on maximizing “the life chances of all people.”
Campus Location: New York City, New York
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- Education Leadership
- Economics and Education
- Education Policy
- Politics and Education
- Cognitive Science and Education
- Education Leadership
- History and Education
- Philosophy and Education
- Science Education
- English Education
- Sociology and Education
- Mathematics and Education
Admission Requirements:
- Online application form
- Statement of purpose
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Program-specific supplemental materials
Full Funding Options: Teacher’s College at Columbia University offers scholarships, research assistantships, fellowships, and grants which can cover the full cost of tuition for their PhDs in Education.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHD IN EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAMS AT TEACHER’S COLLEGE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
Education Program Standouts: Peabody College Vanderbilt University offers some of the top PhD programs in the field of education. Dating back to 1785, Peabody has been ranked in the top positions by US News and World Report for the last 10 years and is currently ranked number 6 in Best Education Schools.
The mission of Peabody is to better the human condition and focus on the learning and development of children.
Campus Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- Leadership, Policy and Organization
- Specialization in K-12 Educational Leadership and Policy
- Specialization in Higher Education Leadership and Policy
- Special Education
- Early Childhood
- High Incidence Disabilities
- Learning Disabilities
- Low-Incidence Disabilities
- Severe and Multiple Disabilities
- Visual and Hearing Impairments
- Teaching & Learning
- Development, Learning and Disability
- Language, Literacy and Culture
- Mathematics and Science Education
- Learning and Design
- Educational Neuroscience
Admission Requirements:
- Online application
- Transcripts
- GRE scores
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Scholarly writing sample
Full Funding Options: All admitted students into a PhD program at Vanderbilt University Peabody College receive funding for up to 5 years of study. This includes tuition, a monthly stipend and health insurance.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EDUCATION DOCTORATE AT PEABODY COLLEGE VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
Education Program Standouts: The Doctorate of Philosophy in Education at Johns Hopkins University is part of a school of education that is only improving in its reputation for success. Jumping up 10 spots this last year in the rankings of US News and World Report for Best Graduate Schools, Johns Hopkins deserves recognition for its advancement.
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in education is designed for students who are interested in becoming scholars equipped to address the modern challenges of education and improve pre-K-12 learning outcomes.
Campus Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Education
Admission Requirements:
- Master’s degree from an accredited university
- Online application form
- Official transcripts
- GRE score
Full Funding Options: Full tuition assistance along with a stipend is available to outstanding students who are accepted to the Doctor of Philosophy in Education degree program.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION FROM JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Education Program Standouts: Educational policy and evaluation students work closely with nationally and internationally recognized faculty members on collaborative and independent research projects that result in policy briefs, reports, scholarly articles and engagement in education policy.
The program also provides opportunities for internships in applied settings and varied experiences in scholarly publishing.
Campus Location: Tempe, Arizona
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- Educational Policy and Evaluation
- Learning, Literacies and Technologies
Admission Requirements:
- GRE score
- Transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- 3.0 GPA
Full Funding Options: Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College supports full-time students in the PhD program with funding renewable for four years.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHD PROGRAMS IN EDUCATION AT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Education Program Standouts: The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development includes 10 departments and over 30 degree programs. The quality of the PhD doctoral students is a source of pride to Steinhardt which they strive to maintain. The doctoral graduates from Steinhardt are continuously known as leaders and innovators in their field.
Campus Location: New York, New York
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- Bilingual Education
- Education and Jewish Studies
- Educational Communication and Technology
- Educational Leadership
- Educational Theatre
- English Education
- Higher and Postsecondary Education
- History of Education
- International Education
- Music Education
- Sociology of Education
- Teaching and Learning
Admission Requirements:
- Resume/CV
- Statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation
- Transcripts
- GRE
Full Funding Options: Full-time Steinhardt PhD students are eligible for full-time tuition remission along with a stipend to help with living expenses.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREES IN EDUCATION AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY STEINHARDT
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Education Program Standouts: Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, perhaps more than the other schools on the list, emphasizes a wide variety of disciplines and brings them into harmony.
Their PhD in Learning Sciences along with the PhD in Computer Science and Learning Sciences studies many channels of inquiry including individuals, groups, and organizations to make discoveries that revolutionize the education world.
Campus Location: Evanston, Illinois
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degrees and Concentrations:
- PhD in Learning Sciences
- PhD in Computer Science and Learning Sciences
Admission Requirements:
- Online application
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Resume/CV
- Writing sample
- Official transcripts
- Optional GRE scores
Full Funding Options: All students accepted into the Ph.D. programs at Northwestern University receive full tuition with an academic year stipend for five years contingent on progress.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHDS IN EDUCATION AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to say a degree is “fully funded?“
The very term “fully funded” or “full funding” when said of a doctoral degree program can be misunderstood. It can mean everything related to the degree program is paid for by someone other than the student—most often the university. Put simply, the student does not have out-of-pocket expenses for their degree program.
Better doctoral degree programs mean more than tuition remission and funding of other degree-related costs, such as various fees that arise. Top doctoral degree programs, most often when discussing fully funded degrees or full funding for a doctoral program, will cover not only the cost of tuition and degree-related expenses.
Fully funded degrees, in this second sense, will also provide doctoral students with a stipend, above and beyond strictly degree-related costs, to be used for living expenses while in the doctoral degree program. This is the goal that potential doctoral degree students looking for when applying to doctoral degrees that are “fully funded” or offer “full funding.”
So, be sure to be clear about what is meant when using the language of fully funded and full funding. The specifics of what funding includes and how it is divided up and divvied out can vary. Let’s take a look at some of these questions.
What is funded in a fully funded degree?
In a fully-funded degree that covers only tuition, fees, and degree-related expenses, only the actual cost of the degree is covered. In better doctoral degree programs, tuition and fees are covered. As nice as this is, in addition to tuition, the funding package will include a living expenses stipend, above and beyond tuition cost as well as a health insurance program for doctoral students.
Normally, funding lasts between 3 and 5 years with the goal of the timely and fully funded completion of the doctoral program within the term of the funding package. Universities invest a good deal of money in their doctoral students, so they want their fully-funded students to finish. Moreover, “failed” doctoral students don’t look good to potential future students or potential donors.
Successfully new doctors make the university, department, and faculty look good. Put in the work, and good departments and faculty will do everything they can to help you finish your fully funded doctorate.
Here’s a breakdown of what is commonly covered in top fully funded doctorate:
- Full-time Tuition
- Related Fees
- Stipend for Living Expenses
- Student Health Insurance
What do I have to do for a fully funded degree?
Fully funded doctorates, almost without exception, require the student to be enrolled in a doctoral program as a full-time student in order to maintain their funding. Also, depending upon department standards, students with full funding must keep their grade point average above a certain level to keep their funding.
As we have already discovered, “fully funded” and “full funding” can vary in meaning. For those doctoral programs that cover tuition and fees, as well as provide a stipend and health insurance, how the students receive this funding and the funding schedule can differ.
- Fellowships
- Assistantships: Research or Teaching
- External Funding Sources: Scholarships
- Travel and Research Grants
The “Gold Standard” for full funding will be awarded a Fellowship. Fellowships are normally quite competitive and limited to a small number. They are awarded on a merit basis. Those who have been awarded a fellowship receive full tuition, a stipend (usually more than other fully funded degrees), and health insurance.
Beyond showing up for class and performing well, no other extracurricular demands are made upon the student. This is a great benefit for doctoral students, given the intense demands doctoral studies make.
Instead of being required to fulfill certain funding obligations to maintain their funding package (see below), students with a fellowship can spend more time researching, presenting at conferences, and publishing their work. This can serve as an important head start in relation to their doctoral student peers who are not able to network and publish as much because of funding obligations.
Another way in which doctoral degrees are fully funded is through assistantships. Though not as great as a fellowship, an assistantship is also highly coveted. If you have been awarded an assistantship, as with a fellowship, you are guaranteed that your tuition will be covered, you will have a stipend, and health insurance coverage during your doctoral studies.
The downside of an assistantship in comparison with a fellowship is that you will have to devote twelve to twenty hours on average per week to earning your stipend. Assistantships usually come in the form of research or teaching assistantships.
A research assistantship is often more highly desired because it normally will be less demanding than a teaching assistantship and allows the doctoral student to work directly with a faculty member, helping them in their research and learning the discipline firsthand.
A teaching assistantship will usually require a doctoral student to teach one course per semester during the course of their doctoral studies.
In the absence of or in addition to doctoral fellowships and assistantships, internal and external scholarships may be available to doctoral students. Scholarships are awarded for a host of reasons. Those interested in scholarships should contact schools they are interested in, as well as research the internet for potential sources of funding through scholarships.
Travel and research grants are often offered to doctoral students in order to cover travel expenses incurred in the course of presenting at conferences during the doctoral program and/or additional expenses that research might entail for the doctoral student. The availability of such funding can be found through departmental representatives.
How much money is a fully funded degree worth?
Earlier, we mentioned that universities and faculties want their fully-funded doctoral students to succeed and finish their degrees. One reason was just how much money is invested in a doctoral student. Let’s take a look at what a doctoral degree is worth.
- Average Yearly Doctoral Tuition: $32,800
- Average Yearly (Median) Doctoral Stipend: $2800
- Average Yearly (Median) Health Insurance Costs for College Students: $2,000
Full funding in a doctoral program normally lasts three to five years. Let’s take four as the average and multiply the monetary equivalent of what the fully-funded doctoral student receives over the four years of funding. We arrive at a quite staggering amount of $264,000! On average, a fully funded doctorate is worth a little over a quarter of a million dollars!
Can I find a fully funded online doctoral degree program?
Fully funded online doctorates are a rarity. It might be going too far to say there are absolutely zero fully funded online doctorates, but such would be the great exceptions.
Some of the reasons why fully-funded online doctorates are almost as uncommon as the dodo bird stems from the fact that most fully-funded doctoral students are employees of their universities and departments through teaching and research assistantships.
Another contributing factor for why there are so few online doctorates that offer full funding is that full-time study is an almost invariable requirement for funding. In the world of online doctoral studies, a large proportion of students are not full-time. Perhaps there will be a shift in the world of online doctoral studies towards offering full funding for non-traditional students. Time will tell.
However, as more and more students embark upon their doctoral studies through online doctoral degree programs, the impetus to recruit and reward outstanding applicants through fully funded online doctorates may grow.
Can I work while participating in a fully funded Ph.D. program?
Yes, you can work while participating in a fully funded Ph.D. program. Many universities allow students to hold part-time jobs while completing their Ph.D., as long as it does not interfere with their academic work.
Additionally, some universities may even provide resources to help students find part-time work that is related to their research or field of study. Check with your university to see what resources are available.
