School of Education & Urban Studies Launches Innovative PhD in Education

Baltimore, MD – Beginning in Fall 2024, Morgan State University’s School of Education & Urban Studies will launch a transformative Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education, housed within the Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership, and Policy. As Maryland’s preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan State University is committed to addressing the educational needs of communities in Baltimore and beyond. This new program underscores the University’s mission by preparing the next generation of leaders, researchers, and educators to tackle the complex challenges facing education today.

This cutting-edge PhD program is designed to equip scholar-practitioners with the expertise needed to explore and solve theoretical and practical issues across the P-20 educational spectrum. Graduates will be uniquely prepared for influential careers in academia, research institutions, policy centers, and high-level administrative roles within educational organizations. 

Seven Specialized Concentrations:

• Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
• Community College Leadership
• Comparative and International Education
• Higher Education Leadership
• Mathematics Education
• Science Education
• Urban Educational Leadership

The program’s dual delivery formats offer flexibility for professionals: a high residency option with in-person learning and a low residency option that combines online synchronous coursework with intensive on-campus residencies in January and September. This innovative structure supports the state’s goal of enhancing access to education and improving student success, making it ideal for working professionals who may enroll as part-time or full-time students.

On the value of this new PhD program, Department Chair and Professor Dr. Frim Ampaw shared, “We designed this new PhD program with our students' professional growth and the future of education in mind. By offering both high and low residency formats, we provide the flexibility that today’s working professionals need, while ensuring that our students receive rigorous academic training. Our focus is on producing leaders who not only understand educational challenges but are also equipped to drive meaningful change in their fields. This approach, rooted in both theory and practice, uniquely prepares our graduates to shape the future of education at the highest levels.”

Meeting the Growing Demand in Education

The demand for highly qualified educators and leaders is on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the education, training, and library occupational group is projected to grow by 15% by 2030. In Maryland alone, the Department of Labor anticipates a 15% growth in jobs for postsecondary education teachers, a 10% increase for public school administrators, and a 14% rise for postsecondary administrators between 2020 and 2030. Morgan State University’s new PhD program is poised to meet this demand by producing graduates who are ready to take on critical roles in these expanding fields.

A Distinctive Offering Among HBCUs

Morgan State University is distinguished as the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Maryland to offer a PhD in Education. Nationally, it joins an elite group of HBCUs, including Howard, North Carolina A&T, Florida A&M, and Jackson State, in offering this advanced degree. The introduction of this program enhances Morgan State’s legacy of excellence by increasing the number of qualified graduates from diverse backgrounds who are prepared to lead in educational settings that serve the Black community and beyond.

Graduates of the program will join a distinguished network of Morgan State alumni who are making a significant impact locally, nationally, and globally. The PhD in Education will continue to expand this influence, empowering graduates to pursue leadership roles focused on policy, research, and educational reform.

For more information about the new PhD in Education, please visit www.morgan.edu/seus/aslp or contact Dr. Frimpomaa (Frim) Ampaw, Department Chair and Professor, at frimpomaa.ampaw@morgan.edu.