illinois state university phd programs

Students gather at the annual University Research Symposium in the Bone Student Center's Brown Ballroom

Turning Students into Scholars

Apply to Graduate School
Our Graduate Programs

Featured Links

Professional development, graduate student visit options, thesis/dissertation help, gradbird scholar, graduate catalog.

Redbird Scholar

A biannual publication focused on research and creative expression at Illinois State University.

Career tips for graduating Redbirds

James L. Fisher 2024 Outstanding Thesis winners announced

International Seminar Series on global perspectives: Democracy and elections around the world

Research methods and skills support now available to all Redbirds

Tuba Yasmin Lubna standing in front of the garden on the quad.

Meet the October 2024 GradBird Scholar: Tuba Yasmin Lubna

Additional links, university resources.

Doctorate in Educational Administration and Foundations - Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry

The Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry Ph.D. is an interdisciplinary doctoral program steeped in social justice designed to develop your skills as a critical leader, researcher, and advocate. Our curriculum is built on deep-dive, content-rich courses focused on equity and inclusion issues in education and research. Your time in our program not only will prepare you to be a critical consumer of research, but a producer of research—research designed to make a difference to individuals, families, and communities.

Armed with these tools and knowledge, you will be prepared to help move the needle on important educational and societal issues across a range of venues and in a range of roles:

Inside and outside educational organizations
Nongovernmental organizations and think-tanks
Work in the public sphere
Community advocacy
Social justice-committed, focused leadership

Classes meet four weekends per semester during the spring, fall, and summer semesters. A majority of candidates are part-time students with full-time jobs. Students have eight years to complete the degree.

Degree Requirements
Financial Assistance
Professional Organizations
Faculty & Staff

Partnerships

For more enquiries about the LEI doctoral program, fill out an interest form or contact the EAF office at (309) 438-5422 .

You can also sign up for one of our upcoming virtual information sesssions this fall or spring to chat with our faculty.

Check out our program brochure

Additional Links

Departments, schools, and units.

Department of Educational Administration and Foundations
Department of Special Education
School of Teaching and Learning
Thomas Metcalf School
University High School
Illinois State University Laboratory Schools
Office of the Dean

University Resources

Request Tech Support
COE eResources
My.IllinoisState.edu
Milner Library

Illinois State University

Ranked in 6 program s and 6 specialt ies

Illinois State University Graduate Programs

Illinois State University is one of more than 800 institutions with graduate schools surveyed by U.S. News on an annual basis. Illinois State University confers degrees through various schools, such as: the College of Business, the Mennonite College of Nursing, and the College of Education.