Ph.D. in Education: FAQs
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from prospective students. Still have a question after reviewing? Contact our Ph.D. Administrative Staff.
What type of financial support does this program offer?
Currently, the Ph.D. in Education program provides five years of financial support. Doctoral students will be given a combination of research assistantships, teaching assistantships or fellowship that will cover tuition, fees, health insurance and provide a 9-month living stipend. All support is contingent on meeting university and program expectations and standards in both academic performance and employment.
Currently, the Ph.D. in Education program provides five years of financial support. Doctoral students will be given a combination of research assistantships, teaching assistantships or fellowship that will cover tuition, fees, health insurance and provide a 9-month living stipend. All support is contingent on meeting university and program expectations and standards in both academic performance and employment.
Is there funding for conference travel and professional development?
Yes, additional program support may be offered by the School of Education on a competitive basis, for example, to support travel for conference presentations or to attend a nationally recognized professional development training.
Yes, additional program support may be offered by the School of Education on a competitive basis, for example, to support travel for conference presentations or to attend a nationally recognized professional development training.
How can I request an application fee waiver?
If you are a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident of the U.S., DACA/AB540, you may be eligible for a waiver. Eligibility is based on program participation, financial need or U.S. veteran status and is determined by completion of the online graduate application. If based on information provided on the graduate application, an applicant is determined to be eligible to apply for a waiver, instructions will be presented on the application itself. This will allow you to upload your required document(s) and submit your application. Requests for fee waivers are reviewed after the graduate application has been submitted. To be considered for a fee waiver, your graduate application must be submitted five days before the program’s deadline or March 4, whichever comes first, except for Veterans. If your request for a waiver is denied and if you wish your application to be considered for admission, you will have to pay the application fee via credit card. Fee waivers are available for fall quarter admissions only. More information can be found here.
If you are a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident of the U.S., DACA/AB540, you may be eligible for a waiver. Eligibility is based on program participation, financial need or U.S. veteran status and is determined by completion of the online graduate application. If based on information provided on the graduate application, an applicant is determined to be eligible to apply for a waiver, instructions will be presented on the application itself. This will allow you to upload your required document(s) and submit your application. Requests for fee waivers are reviewed after the graduate application has been submitted. To be considered for a fee waiver, your graduate application must be submitted five days before the program’s deadline or March 4, whichever comes first, except for Veterans. If your request for a waiver is denied and if you wish your application to be considered for admission, you will have to pay the application fee via credit card. Fee waivers are available for fall quarter admissions only. More information can be found here.
Is there on-campus housing?
Yes. UCI guarantees an offer of on-campus housing to every newly-admitted full-time Ph.D. student for four years. The housing application deadline is May 1 and housing offers are completed throughout the summer months. Find information on Graduate Guaranteed Housing offer Terms & Conditions here.
Yes. UCI guarantees an offer of on-campus housing to every newly-admitted full-time Ph.D. student for four years. The housing application deadline is May 1 and housing offers are completed throughout the summer months. Find information on Graduate Guaranteed Housing offer Terms & Conditions here.
Does UCI offer housing for families?
Yes, there are communities within the UCI campus that have space for single families. Please contact the UCI Housing office for more information. Graduate students can also receive up to $1,100 in reimbursement for eligible child care expenses during the academic year (fall, winter, spring quarters).
Yes, there are communities within the UCI campus that have space for single families. Please contact the UCI Housing office for more information. Graduate students can also receive up to $1,100 in reimbursement for eligible child care expenses during the academic year (fall, winter, spring quarters).
Can I do this program part-time?
No, this is a full-time doctoral program.
No, this is a full-time doctoral program.
Is this program offered online?
No, this is a full-time, in-person program.
No, this is a full-time, in-person program.
Can I work full-time/part-time while enrolled in this program?
No, this a full-time doctoral program. We expect students to hold their doctoral studies and research activities as their primary focus.
No, this a full-time doctoral program. We expect students to hold their doctoral studies and research activities as their primary focus.
Can I get credits for courses from my Master's program?
Please email the Ph.D. Administrative Staff for more information.
Please email the Ph.D. Administrative Staff for more information.
What types of positions do people get after the Ph.D.?
Our alumni are trained in a multitude of approaches to studying learning, human development, and educational outcomes. This holistic approach makes our alumni attractive candidates for jobs in several industries – academia, nonprofit, and private business. You can find our alumni leading research at education think tanks and nonprofits, working as professors at universities across the country, and heading up companies they founded. Alumni of the School of Education’s doctoral program are currently employed across the globe, including more than a dozen states and China, Hong Kong, Kenya, and Korea.
Our alumni are trained in a multitude of approaches to studying learning, human development, and educational outcomes. This holistic approach makes our alumni attractive candidates for jobs in several industries – academia, nonprofit, and private business. You can find our alumni leading research at education think tanks and nonprofits, working as professors at universities across the country, and heading up companies they founded. Alumni of the School of Education’s doctoral program are currently employed across the globe, including more than a dozen states and China, Hong Kong, Kenya, and Korea.
When can I submit my application?
The application for the Ph.D. in Education program opens October 1 for the following fall admission. Because the program starts in the fall quarter each year, students are not normally admitted for winter or spring quarters.
The application for the Ph.D. in Education program opens October 1 for the following fall admission. Because the program starts in the fall quarter each year, students are not normally admitted for winter or spring quarters.
When is the deadline to submit my application?
The deadline is December 1.
The deadline is December 1.
How can I check on the status of my application?
Log in to your online application to view your status page. Please allow at least 30 days after your submit your application before contacting the university and only do so if absolutely necessary. This will allow staff to focus on processing application decisions during the busy admissions season. You will receive an e-mail directly from your program after a decision is made. Letters will also be available on your application status page.
Log in to your online application to view your status page. Please allow at least 30 days after your submit your application before contacting the university and only do so if absolutely necessary. This will allow staff to focus on processing application decisions during the busy admissions season. You will receive an e-mail directly from your program after a decision is made. Letters will also be available on your application status page.
When can I expect to hear a decision on my application?
The School of Education’s Ph.D. program reviews completed applications on a rolling basis. A general deadline for admission offers is April 15.
The School of Education’s Ph.D. program reviews completed applications on a rolling basis. A general deadline for admission offers is April 15.
Can I submit unofficial transcripts with my application?
Yes, you can upload your unofficial transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions you have reported on your application. After you are admitted and submitted a positive SIR, your official transcript and proof that you earned your undergraduate degree should be mailed to the UCI Graduate Division office. If you earned your degree at a U.S. institution and your school is able to securely transmit your degree posted transcript to UCI electronically, you may have the transcript sent to [email protected].
Yes, you can upload your unofficial transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions you have reported on your application. After you are admitted and submitted a positive SIR, your official transcript and proof that you earned your undergraduate degree should be mailed to the UCI Graduate Division office. If you earned your degree at a U.S. institution and your school is able to securely transmit your degree posted transcript to UCI electronically, you may have the transcript sent to [email protected].
May I submit more than three recommendation letters?
The admissions process specifies three letters, which is considered the appropriate number of recommendations and also a reasonable number, considering the volume of materials the admissions committee will be reviewing. Your three letters should be from academics who can attest, with specific examples, to your ability to proceed successfully through the Ph.D. program and write a culminating dissertation. The admissions committee members read carefully the information in the letters of recommendation so be sure your recommenders understand the program you have selected and the criteria for being considered for admission.
The admissions process specifies three letters, which is considered the appropriate number of recommendations and also a reasonable number, considering the volume of materials the admissions committee will be reviewing. Your three letters should be from academics who can attest, with specific examples, to your ability to proceed successfully through the Ph.D. program and write a culminating dissertation. The admissions committee members read carefully the information in the letters of recommendation so be sure your recommenders understand the program you have selected and the criteria for being considered for admission.
Should I still submit my application if I have not yet received my official test scores and/or all three Letters of Recommendation?
Yes, please submit your application. We will review your application as soon as official test scores and/or letters are received.
Yes, please submit your application. We will review your application as soon as official test scores and/or letters are received.
I sent my recommender an invitation to submit a letter, but s/he did not receive it. What should I do?
It is possible that your recommender has restrictive filtering of their e-mail. Email [email protected] to request that the e-mail be sent to your recommender again.
It is possible that your recommender has restrictive filtering of their e-mail. Email [email protected] to request that the e-mail be sent to your recommender again.
Is there an interview?
There is not an in-person interview, but all finalists will be interviewed by phone or video-chat before they can be admitted.
There is not an in-person interview, but all finalists will be interviewed by phone or video-chat before they can be admitted.
Is is advisable to contact faculty members prior to submitting my application?
We recommend you read about faculty members’ academic interests and review their research and publications. Applicants are admitted if there is close alignment between the applicant’s academic interests and a faculty member’s expertise. If you plan to contact a faculty member, be sure you are familiar with their online information and are interested in discussing academic issues, not administrative or application questions. For administrative or application questions, please consult with our Ph.D. Administrative Staff.
We recommend you read about faculty members’ academic interests and review their research and publications. Applicants are admitted if there is close alignment between the applicant’s academic interests and a faculty member’s expertise. If you plan to contact a faculty member, be sure you are familiar with their online information and are interested in discussing academic issues, not administrative or application questions. For administrative or application questions, please consult with our Ph.D. Administrative Staff.
How can I set up an appointment to learn more about the program and meet faculty?
Please review our website to learn more about our program, school, culture, Orange County, career outcomes, and more. If you have additional questions, please contact the Ph.D. Administrative Staff to set up a phone appointment to ask questions and get more information. If you have any questions for individual faculty who share your research interests, you are welcome to contact them directly.
Please review our website to learn more about our program, school, culture, Orange County, career outcomes, and more. If you have additional questions, please contact the Ph.D. Administrative Staff to set up a phone appointment to ask questions and get more information. If you have any questions for individual faculty who share your research interests, you are welcome to contact them directly.
Having trouble with your Slate application?
Please contact Graduate Division at [email protected].
Please contact Graduate Division at [email protected].
Please note the GRE general examination submission is optional for the Fall 2024 application.
What is the minimum GRE score requirement?
There is no minimum campus GRE score requirement.
There is no minimum campus GRE score requirement.
Can I apply before taking the GRE/TOEFL/IELTS test?
Yes, you can. On the application, you will enter the date you are registered to take the test.
Yes, you can. On the application, you will enter the date you are registered to take the test.
I have low GRE scores. Will I still be considered?
The admissions review process is a holistic review. The admission committee looks at all aspects of the application. We seek to admit students who fit very well into our areas of specialization and faculty interests. Although GRE scores and undergraduate GPAs are important, we are more concerned with the fit of the applicant to our program goals and the overall quality of the application. If you are concerned about your GRE score, we recommend you address this in your application materials to help the admissions committee in their consideration of your application.
The admissions review process is a holistic review. The admission committee looks at all aspects of the application. We seek to admit students who fit very well into our areas of specialization and faculty interests. Although GRE scores and undergraduate GPAs are important, we are more concerned with the fit of the applicant to our program goals and the overall quality of the application. If you are concerned about your GRE score, we recommend you address this in your application materials to help the admissions committee in their consideration of your application.
I am having difficulty covering the cost of the GRE?
There are a range of free and low-cost GRE test preparation materials including free practice exam on the ETS website. ETS also offers exam fee reduction to those who are in financial need.
There are a range of free and low-cost GRE test preparation materials including free practice exam on the ETS website. ETS also offers exam fee reduction to those who are in financial need.
Do I need to submit a TOEFL/ IELTS score?
All graduate applicants, except those who have earned an undergraduate degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the World Higher Education Database, are required to demonstrate English proficiency for admissions consideration. Click here for more information.
All graduate applicants, except those who have earned an undergraduate degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the World Higher Education Database, are required to demonstrate English proficiency for admissions consideration. Click here for more information.
I am an international applicant and studied at an English language university in my country. Do I need to take the TOEFL/ IELTS test?
If English was the sole language of instruction at the undergraduate institution where you earned a degree according to the World Higher Education Database, then you are waived from the English proficiency requirement. If English is not the sole language of instruction listed or if no language is listed at all, the waiver does not apply and you are required to take and pass an approved English proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS).
If English was the sole language of instruction at the undergraduate institution where you earned a degree according to the World Higher Education Database, then you are waived from the English proficiency requirement. If English is not the sole language of instruction listed or if no language is listed at all, the waiver does not apply and you are required to take and pass an approved English proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS).
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