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Administration & Supervision: Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Education

A small, personalized, top-tier Ph.D. program in education leadership widely recognized for its rigor, collaborative learning environment, and scholarship.

At a Glance

Program Results

Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Administration & Supervision

Career Objective

Graduates of the Ph.D. program in Administration & Supervision pursue academic or research positions in universities, think tanks, and non-profit organizations. Some assume leadership positions in private and public K-12 schools and school systems.

Best Suited To

Working professionals seeking advanced leadership preparation experience that reflects the changing demands of educational leadership and the evolving skills required for effective practice.

Program Type

  • Full Time

Location

  • In-Person

Estimated Length

4 years

Application Deadline

  • Fall 2025 entry: December 1, 2024

Note: The Ph.D. in Administration & Supervision program is not currently accepting applications. The program will begin accepting applications in August 2024 for Fall 2025 enrollment.

Credits

72

About This Program

Please note: The Ph.D. in Administration & Supervision program is not currently accepting applications. The program will begin accepting applications in August 2024 for Fall 2025 enrollment.

It takes extraordinary knowledge, commitment, and skill to become an effective leader in education, and we provide a wealth of development opportunities to our graduate students. Our classes are places where educators can reflect on educational institutions as they are, and envision what they could become. The Administration & Supervision program at the School of Education and Human Development develops leaders who create positive change in school divisions and educational organizations around the country.

  • The Ph.D. in Administration & Supervision program is a  small, personalized, top-tier Ph.D. program in educational leadership.
  • The program is widely recognized for its rigor, collaborative learning environment, and scholarship.
  • This program is a research-based, full-time program that is offered in Charlottesville only. The School of Education and Human Development offers fully funded financial aid packages (tuition and a graduate stipend) for this program.

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements that apply specifically to this program are listed below:

  • Evidence of strong writing ability - submission of a writing sample describing an example of applicant's leadership experience in 2000 words;
  • Current résumé;
  • Statement of professional goals and research interests which match those of the faculty (typically 1 to 2 pages); and
  • Interview in person or by phone.

Visit our Graduate Admission page for the full admission process.

Graduate Admission

Application for admission is made to the School of Education and Human Development Office of Admission & Enrollment. For more information about the graduate admission process, please visit our Graduate Admission page.

Graduate Admission

Coursework

To learn more about specific courses taken as part of the completion of this degree, visit the Graduate Record website. These webpages represent the official repository for academic program requirements. A link to these publications can be found in the Curriculum Information section at the bottom of this page.

  • Completion of 72 credits, including at least 60 credits for courses other than the capstone dissertation project. A maximum of 18 credits from the master’s program may be applied to the program with the approval of the doctoral committee. A minimum of 36 credits (not including dissertation credit) must be earned from the University of Virginia;
  • Successful completion of twelve credits of the research sequence;
  • Successful completion of written comprehensive examinations as determined by the doctoral committee. The comprehensives must be completed before taking the capstone seminar and drafting the capstone proposal;
  • Completion of all capstone dissertation requirements, including defending a capstone proposal as determined by the student’s doctoral committee; gaining approval from the University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the protection of human subjects; carrying out a research study (capstone dissertation) appropriate to the field of specialization; and passing an oral final examination on the capstone dissertation. All other requirements must be completed before this defense;
  • All additional requirements as specified by the student’s doctoral committee and/or advisor;
  • Department or area of specialization requirements; and
  • Six core leadership courses will be organized in a sequence that covers leadership theory, problem framing, designing learning environments, and implementing transformative leadership practices. In addition a six-course sequence in disciplined inquiry will focus on the development of students as a practitioner-scholars who are skilled in research and problem solving. Electives will allow leaders to customize their program with an area of specialization, such as educational entrepreneurship or innovation in curriculum and instruction.

Additional Program Details

Departmental fellowships and assistantships are provided to a select number of applicants each year. A typical funding package includes funding for nine months in a combination of wages and stipends, tuition and all mandatory fees, and funds to cover student health insurance costs. The University also offers a limited number of competitive fellowships for which students enrolled in Ph.D. programs may apply.

Visit the Fellowships, Scholarships, and Awards page for additional funding opportunities.

In 2023, the UVA School of Education & Human Development is ranked #9 in educational administration for graduate schools of education in the U.S. by the U.S. News and World Report.

Ph.D. in Administration & Supervision News

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Contact Us

Information Sessions

All Admission Events

The school hosts a variety of admission events including information sessions and open houses for prospective students as they explore our degree program offerings. View upcoming opportunities to engage with faculty and staff.

Introduction to Graduate Study at the UVA School of Education and Human Development

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Introduction to Graduate Study at the UVA School of Education and Human Development

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Introduction to Graduate Study at the UVA School of Education and Human Development

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Introduction to Graduate Study at the UVA School of Education and Human Development

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Introduction to Graduate Study at the UVA School of Education and Human Development

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Introduction to Graduate Study at the UVA School of Education and Human Development

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Disclosures

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Graduate Record represents the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=57&poid=8726.  

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)). 

Upon completion of the Doctor of Philosophy in Administration and Supervision at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).