Liberty University PhD Programs: Admission Requirements and Program Overview

Liberty University offers a variety of PhD programs designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to impact the world. These programs are available in both residential and online formats, providing flexibility for students with diverse needs and schedules. Admission to these programs is governed by specific policies and procedures, emphasizing a holistic review of each applicant.

General Admission Requirements for Graduate Programs

Applicants to resident or online graduate programs at Liberty University are assessed according to several criteria, including:

Academic Background: A strong academic record is a fundamental requirement.
Aptitude for Graduate-Level Work: The university evaluates the applicant's potential for success in rigorous graduate studies.
Personal Information: Personal essays, recommendations, and other submitted materials are considered.
Professional Experience: For some programs, relevant professional experience may be taken into account.

Liberty University considers applicants without regard to race, color, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a veteran or disabled veteran, aligning with its mission to develop Christ-centered men and women.

It is important to note that admission to a graduate program does not automatically grant Degree Candidacy status. The University reserves the right to refuse admission or readmission to any prospective student or re-enrollment to any student. Any applicant who intentionally withholds pertinent information or falsifies information may be required to withdraw from Liberty University. The regulations listed are subject to change. The Office of Graduate Admissions may request additional documentation from applicants who do not meet admissions standards.

Course Delivery Formats

Liberty University graduate programs utilize a variety of course-delivery formats, some of which are available through online instruction.

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Residential (On-Campus): Traditional classroom setting.
Online (Distance Education): Courses are delivered through a virtual classroom experience that is flexible, personal, and challenging. Most programs are available 100% online; one common exception is with programs that have required intensives.

Admission to Graduate Certificate Programs

The admission criteria for graduate certificate programs mirror those of the general graduate programs, focusing on academic background, aptitude for graduate-level work, and personal information. Professional experience may also be considered. Like degree programs, admission to a graduate certificate program does not constitute Certificate Candidacy status.

Graduate certificate programs also offer various delivery formats, including on-campus, online, and video-based instruction.

Specific PhD Program Requirements: Ph.D. in Education

The Ph.D. in Education program at Liberty University is designed for individuals seeking to advance their knowledge and skills in curriculum and instruction, research, and educational leadership. The program is structured around core education courses, concentration-specific courses, research courses, and dissertation work.

Important Degree Plan Information: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2025 through summer 2026. This is a non-licensure degree. Completion of this degree will not lead to the eligibility of a state educator license in Virginia or a license or certificate in any other state for endorsements in teaching, special education, content specialist, or school building-level administration.

Curriculum Overview:

The Ph.D. in Education requires the completion of several key components:

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Education Core Courses (9 hours):
- EDUC 701: Advanced Learning Theory and Research (3 hours)
- EDUC 703: Theories of Historical and Social Foundations of Education (3 hours)
- EDUC 730: Issues & Trends in Learning Technologies (3 hours) or EDUC 745 Organizational Analysis and Problem Solving
Curriculum & Instruction Concentration (18 hours):
- EDUC 721: Issues and Trends in Exceptionality (3 hours)
- EDUC 735: Issues and Trends in Curriculum and Instruction (3 hours)
- EDUC 771: Curriculum Theory (3 hours)
- EDUC 848: Culture and Educational Leadership (3 hours)
- EDUC 871: Investigations in Curriculum Change (3 hours)
- EDUC 872: Research in Curriculum Design and Development (3 hours)
Research Courses (18 hours):
- EDUC 812: Advanced Educational Statistics (3 hours)
- EDUC 815: Quantitative Methods of Research (3 hours)
- EDUC 817: Qualitative Methods of Research (3 hours)
- EDUC 860: Literature Review for Advanced Research (3 hours)
- EDUC 980: Quantitative Research Concepts and Methodology (3 hours)
- Choose one of the following (3 hours):
  - EDUC 915: Advanced Quantitative Methods of Research
  - EDUC 917: Advanced Qualitative Methods of Research
Dissertation Courses (15 hours):
- EDUC 987: Dissertation I (5 hours)
- EDUC 988: Dissertation II (5 hours)
- EDUC 989: Dissertation III (5 hours)
- EDUC 990: Dissertation IV (0 hours)

Once the student enters the Dissertation phase (after completion of EDUC 980), he/she must maintain continuous enrollment (Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters) until all degree requirements are completed. Ph.D. Students are allowed to enroll in EDUC 987, EDUC 988, and EDUC 989 only one time.

Additional Notes:

EDUC 730 and EDUC 987, EDUC 988, and EDUC 989 have an intensive format option.
Students must maintain continuous enrollment once they enter the Dissertation phase.
Enrollment in EDUC 987, 988, and 989 is limited to one time each.

Specific PhD Program Requirements: Ph.D. in Psychology

In addition to the general admission procedures, applicants to the Ph.D. in Psychology program must meet specific requirements:

Master's Degree: Completion of a Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
GPA: A cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 or above (on a 4.00 scale) in all previous graduate course work.
Recommendations: Two (2) Recommender Contact Information. Approved recommenders are the student’s former college professors or supervisors.
Statement of Purpose: Submission of a two (2) page, double-spaced statement of purpose.
Departmental Approval: As required by Graduate Admissions.

These are minimum academic requirements, and the applicant’s character, integrity, and general fitness to practice in the profession are also considered.

Transfer of Credit for Ph.D. in Psychology

Students may transfer up to 30 semester hours of Ph.D. coursework, provided the following requirements are met:

The school at which the course was taken must be appropriately accredited.
The course credit must be at least three semester hours or five quarter hours.
The student must have earned a grade of B- or better in the course.
The course must overlap with one of Liberty’s courses by at least 80%.
Transfer credits must have been completed as post-master’s course work (700-900 level) within the previous seven (7) years to be accepted.
Courses with a recorded grade of C+ or below will not be accepted.
Correspondence studies or life experiences will not be accepted for transfer credit.

Ph.D. in Psychology Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Ph.D. in Psychology program are expected to demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:

Evaluate the research literature in Psychology to include major concepts, theories, research methodologies, and empirical finding.
Evaluate various research methodologies, designs, and statistical procedures in psychological science.
Apply psychological research to practical individual and social problems.
Evaluate the psychological research literature in the context of biblical worldview.
Produce original research in a specialized area of psychology.
Assess key principles and theories in behavioral health leadership.
Assess key principles and theories in Developmental Psychology across the lifespan.
Assess key principles and theories in Psychology.
Assess key principles and theories in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
Assess key principles and theories in Social Psychology.
Assess key principles and theories in Psychology using various models of integration.

Additional Information for Prospective Students

Liberty University offers online degree and certificate programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Those seeking an affordable and flexible online college experience are encouraged to apply.

Application Assistance

Prospective students can apply online or call a Liberty University admissions counselor at (800) 424-9595 for individualized assistance.

Transcripts

Applicants may need to request a college transcript. International transcripts must be translated into English and include a full course-by-course evaluation by NACES before submitting. For undergraduate programs, official high school transcripts are required for students attending college for the first time. Failure to submit official high school transcripts within the first 12 credit hours may result in a hold on the account, preventing additional registration until the transcripts are received. A High School Self-Certification form is available through the online portal or as a printable PDF.

Credit for Prior Learning

Liberty University, as an accredited online college, may offer college credit for industry certificates, training, nationally recognized standardized college-credit tests (such as CLEP or DANTES exams), professional training, or on-the-job experience.

Graduate Admissions

For detailed information on admission steps and policies for Liberty’s online master’s degree programs, prospective students should visit the Graduate Admissions page. Degree-specific admission requirements can be found on each individual degree page. Some master’s degrees may have residential components, such as on-campus intensives or internships.

Post-Graduate and Doctoral Admissions

Students who have completed a master’s degree are eligible to apply for post-graduate or doctoral programs. Post-graduate degrees include industry-specialized advanced degrees such as the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) and the Master of Theology (Th.M.). Doctoral degrees, the highest level of college education, require a final, comprehensive project such as a Doctoral Dissertation. Students pursuing Liberty’s online doctoral programs may have residential requirements, including on-campus intensives and internships. For detailed information, students should visit the Post-Graduate and Doctoral Admission Requirements page, noting that degree-specific requirements are available on each degree page.

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