ӣƵ

Skip to main content

Ed.D. in Educational Studies

Overview

At Talbot School of Theology, biblical wisdom is our doctoral programs’ central pursuit. The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree equips the “Leader-Teacher” with skills in research assessment and application to educational concerns. The program provides the same training in conceptual thinking, theological integration and teaching as the Ph.D. program, but with more applied focus. This degree is intended for the needs of education leaders and some Christian higher education settings.

Students come to the program already having completed a graduate degree and usually with significant experience in educational ministry, theological education or Christian higher education. In general, doctoral students are established within a particular ministry organization and pursue this degree to receive a robust biblical and theological foundation that richly enhances their educational practice. The curriculum particularly encourages critical thinking, integrative synthesis of Scripture and social science data, and original research.

Courses follow a graduate seminar format requiring student initiative for significant participation in class discussion. Small class sizes of six to 12 students permit such a dialogical format, an important element for promoting critical and integrative thinking.


    Yes! Tell Me More!

    Loading…

    Program Requirements

    What are the program requirements for an Ed.D. in Educational Studies student?

    The Ed.D. degree requires 36 credits of coursework, including 6 units of foundational courses, 15 units of concentration core courses, 6 units of theology courses, and 9 units of research courses, culminating in the dissertation.

    • Doctoral Coursework. Throughout the program, students will engage in coursework designed to increase their knowledge and engagement with relevant topics in the field, as well as begin work on specific components of the final dissertation.
    • Advancement to Candidacy. Official Ed.D. candidacy indicates that students have completed all the preliminary requirements and are now qualified to undertake the doctoral dissertation.
    • Dissertation. The dissertation demonstrates high attainment in scholarship in the field of educational leadership.
    • Dissertation Defense. The final examination is an oral defense of the dissertation before the doctoral committee and other invited professionals. Successful defense of the dissertation completes the candidate’s responsibilities for the degree, which is conferred in the scheduled graduation ceremony immediately following the defense.
    • Graduation Requirements. All students must submit an acceptable dissertation and completed all required course work with a minimum 3.25 GPA to qualify for graduation. Beyond completion of academic requirements, doctoral program faculty must also recommend that the student is eligible for conferral of the degree on the basis of evidence of Christian life and character established during his or her course of studies. All financial obligations must be settled. Students must meet with their department advisor and submit the required forms to declare intent to graduate.

    Admissions & Deadlines

    As a Christian institution, Biola seeks to admit applicants whose backgrounds clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith, personal character and integrity, and a positive service-oriented motivation toward their field of study. Biola does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's race, color, sex, socio-economic status, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

    Education and GPA Requirements

    • You must have a master’s degree or its equivalent appropriate to the Ed.D. from an accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale).
    • Note: If applicants do not meet the degree or GPA requirements above, they may still be considered for admission. Please contact the Talbot Doctoral Programs Office at talbot.doctoral.office@biola.edu.

    English Proficiency Requirements

    • If English is not your first language, you are required to display your English proficiency before admittance into a Biola University graduate program. See “English Proficiency” in the application steps section below.

    Application Deadlines

    • Fall Semester
      • General: February 15

    Visit Biola

    Explore our sunny Southern California campus in person or virtually. Learn more about your program of interest and the admissions process by scheduling an appointment with an admissions counselor.

    Visit Biola

    Meet Your Admissions Counselor

    If you have more questions about the program, admissions process or Biola in general, schedule a phone call or send an email to your admissions counselor.

    Graduate Admissions Counselor

    Photo of Mike Klunder
    Mike Klunder

    Email: michael.klunder@biola.edu
    Phone: (562) 906-4115

    International Graduate Admissions Counselor

    The Office of International Admissions serves students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

    Email: grad.international@biola.edu

    Application Steps

    1. Complete and submit the

    2. Submit a non-refundable $65 application fee

    3. Submit supplemental application materials through your online application portal:

    4. Official Transcripts

      • Submit all official transcripts from previous academic institutions.
        • Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
        • If enrolled at the time the application is filed, be sure to request transcripts of work finished to date and final transcripts upon completion of your course of study.
        • Transcripts will be considered official only when a) mailed directly from the institution to Biola, b) sent electronically through an approved vendor or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.
          • Mail transcripts to:
            Biola University Office of Graduate Admissions
            13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
      • International Transcripts: All international transcripts should be evaluated by a credential evaluation agency like (Biola Discount), or . Be sure to choose "course by course report" and have SpanTran/WES/FIS send them directly to Biola University via online portal or post (13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order to be considered official.

      Three Reference Letters

      • Two academic references – Must be completed by faculty who had the applicant in at least two courses.
      • Pastoral reference — Must be completed by a mentor, teacher or pastor
      • Note: Additional instructions can be found in the online application.

      Three Essays

      • Formal academic paper – Submit a sample of scholarly writing (with citations and bibliography), preferably related to intercultural studies (at least 10 pages)
      • Vocational objectives statement
      • Personal biography
      • Note: The essay prompts can be found in the online application.

      English Proficiency (required for non-native English speakers)

      • Evidence of English proficiency is required for all students to support student success. Proficiency must be shown through one of the methods described below:
        • Minimum test score on a qualifying standardized test
          • TOEFL: minimum score of 100 iBT
          • IELTS: minimum score of 7.5
          • Duolingo: minimum score of 125
        • A degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) issued by an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
          • Official written communication from the institution (Registrar, Controller of Examinations Office, or Undergraduate College)
          • Official degree statements or transcripts may be accepted given English is stated as the medium of instruction
          • Official catalog verification
          • Note: For universities from non-Anglophone countries, further language assessment may be required.

       

      Additional Forms

      • “Change of Program” Form: 

      •  

      Things to Note

      • Track your application status at any time. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You can complete a portion and finish at a later time. Your information will be saved. When you apply, to guarantee confidentiality, you will be asked to create a user name and a password, and will receive a personalized identification number. Track your application status by logging in to the .
      • Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student’s academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.
      • International students who will be studying on campus are required to apply for an F-1 student visa. For more information, visit biola.edu/international/admitted-students.

    Alumni Spotlight

    Read the testimonials to learn more about how Talbot's doctoral programs impacted the lives of our students.

    Explore Alumni Spotlight

    Tuition and Financial Aid

    Biola is committed to help make your studies affordable — each school offers different scholarship, grant and loan opportunities to help finance your education.

    Cost Per Credit (2026‑27) $991
    Regular Coursework Based on fall and spring enrollment at 6 credits per term$5,946
    Dissertation Phase Based on fall and spring enrollment at 3 credits per term$2,973
    Total Program Tuition (Estimated) Based on total program credits and 2026‑27 cost per credit$44,595

    Faculty


    You may also be interested in

    Doctor of Intercultural Studies

    Talbot School of Theology

    Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)

    Talbot School of Theology

    Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies

    Talbot School of Theology

    Ph.D. – Educational Studies

    Talbot School of Theology

    Format

    Hybrid (On Campus and Online): This program includes a blend of course formats, including online and in person at Biola University's Southern California campus.

    Total Credits

    Every program at Biola University features rigorous academics, biblically integrated curriculum and vocational preparation.

    Cost per Credit

    This is the cost per credit; total tuition costs for each term will differ for part-time and full-time students.

    Standard Completion Time

    This indicates the standard duration of this program. Completion time may vary depending on transferred coursework and preferred courseload.

    Accreditation

    Biola University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional accreditations may apply to specific programs.