The Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Education with a concentration in Workforce Education and Development is the highest degree that the field of education can award. Recipients of the degree are prepared to make contributions to the development and diffusion of new knowledge. Essential characteristics of the doctoral degree are advanced study that builds on prior academic and professional experience, and scholarly inquiry in which commitment, critical thinking, and expertise are demonstrated.

A student may pursue a program of study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degree through any of several approved concentrations, including one in Workforce Education and Development. The occupational education concentration was originally developed in the early 1970s. In 1975, the occupational education faculty joined with faculties in agriculture education, business education, and home economics education to form a new Department of Vocational Education Studies (VES). The occupational education concentration was changed to a concentration in VES in 1988. The name was changed to Workforce Education and Development in 1993.

The Workforce Education and Development concentration is a broad, general leadership and professional development degree that caters to people having knowledge, experience, and interests in the fields of: (a) career education, (b) career and technical education, (c) employment and training and (d) human resource development. Even though many students who enter the program have a specific occupational area identity (e.g., business education, health careers education, industrial technology education), the degree is not awarded in a service area specialty.

The Dean of the College of Education and Human Services functions as the director of the Ph.D. in Education program. The program operates in accordance with the Ph.D. Policies and Procedures Manual of the College of Education and Human Services.