Ph.D. in Education - Gifted Education

Close student-faculty mentorship and an emphasis on applied research prepare graduates of the Ph.D. in Gifted Education program for careers in university settings or at research organizations. This is a research-based, full-time program that is offered in Charlottesville only.

The primary purpose of the Ph.D. program is to prepare highly qualified scholar-researchers who will be able to take a variety of positions in higher education settings (both public and private). Graduates will be well prepared for employment as research scholars, policy analysts, and faculty members in higher education programs where the emphasis is on the production of scholarship, rather than application to practice.

Program Details

  • Prerequisites and Admission Requirements

    The GRE is not required for applicants applying to begin in 2021.  Due to test center closures related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic applicants may apply without submitting GRE scores.

    • An earned bachelor degree in education or related field; a masters degree is strongly recommended
    • GRE scores earned within 5 years of application
    • writing sample (10-15 pages)
    • goal statement (1-2 pages)
    • 2 letters of recommendation (at least 1 academic reference)
    • interview with one or more program area faculty

    Applicants can submit unofficial test scores and transcripts with their application. Official scores and transcripts will be required once an offer of admission is accepted.

  • Application Due Date

    Applications are due December 1 for admission to the fall semester.

  • Degree Requirements

    72 credits (up to 12 may be transferred in if at the graduate level and approved by the program area) inclusive of general coursework, mentorships, and the dissertation study

    Gifted Education Ph.D. Handbook

  • Funding Opportunities

    PhD students are generally fully-funded; continuation of funding is contingent upon successful passage of expected milestones.

  • Typical Length of Study

    4 years of full-time study inclusive of mentorships and dissertation study

    Full or Part Time:

    PhD students are only accepted for full-time study

  • Course Overview

    Required courses include 6 credit hours of foundational courses related to development and assessment; one 3-hour departmental required course on research; 24 credit hours in core courses of the field of gifted education; 21 credit hours in research core courses; up to 6 credits of gifted education and/or general electives depending on courses taken at the masters level; and 12 or more credits associated with research mentorship and dissertation study work.

  • Sample Jobs After Graduation

    Leadership positions in school divisions; College or university positions in gifted education particularly research-focused positions;  in school district central office positions; and with educational research labs

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php.