You’ve probably seen the name Erika Kirk everywhere lately. Since the tragic assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk, in late 2025, she’s stepped into a massive, high-pressure role as the CEO of Turning Point USA. People are asking a lot of questions. Some are about her politics, some about her past as a pageant queen, but a huge chunk of the curiosity is focused on one thing: her credentials.
Specifically, does Erika Kirk have a college degree?
Honestly, there’s been a bit of confusion floating around on social media, partly because people mix her up with other public figures or assume she just skipped school to pursue modeling. That’s actually not the case at all. Erika Kirk (formerly Erika Frantzve) didn't just attend college; she basically made a second career out of staying in school. She holds multiple degrees from well-known institutions, ranging from political science to legal studies.
The Short Answer: Yes, She Has Several
If you’re looking for a quick "yes" or "no," it’s a resounding yes. Erika Kirk graduated from Arizona State University (ASU) with not one, but two bachelor’s degrees. She then followed that up with a master’s degree and is currently in the middle of a doctoral program.
She’s actually a bit of a "professional student" type, though her path wasn't exactly a straight line from point A to point B.
Where Did Erika Kirk Go to College?
The story of her education actually starts on the basketball court. Right after graduating from Notre Dame Preparatory in Scottsdale back in 2007, she headed to Denver. She had a basketball scholarship to Regis University, which is a private Jesuit school.
👉 See also: Jaden Newman Leaked OnlyFans: What Most People Get Wrong
She played as a guard for the Regis Rangers for about two years. But, as often happens with college athletes, things shifted. Whether it was the fit or just a desire to be back in Arizona, she ended up transferring after her sophomore year. She didn't graduate from Regis, but that’s where her undergraduate journey kicked off.
The ASU Years
Once she got back to the desert, she enrolled at Arizona State University. This is where she really hammered out her academic foundation. She didn't just pick a major and coast; she went for a double major:
- Political Science
- International Relations
She finished these degrees around 2012. Interestingly, that was the same year she was crowned Miss Arizona USA. It’s a pretty wild schedule if you think about it—finishing a double major at a major university while competing in the Miss USA circuit.
Moving Into Legal Studies
After her time at ASU, Erika didn't stop. A few years later, she enrolled at Liberty University. Now, this is where some people get tripped up. She earned a Juris Master (JM) in American Legal Studies in 2017.
Wait—is that a law degree? Kinda.
✨ Don't miss: The Fifth Wheel Kim Kardashian: What Really Happened with the Netflix Comedy
A Juris Master is a graduate-level law degree, but it’s not the same as a Juris Doctor (JD). A JD is what you need to actually sit for the bar exam and practice as an attorney. A Juris Master is designed for professionals who want to understand the law—like regulations, contracts, and constitutional theory—without actually becoming a lawyer. So, she’s "law-adjacent" in her training, which probably helps a lot now that she’s running a massive non-profit that deals with a ton of legal and political red tape.
Is She Still a Student?
Believe it or not, yeah. Even with the chaos of taking over TPUSA and raising two young kids, she’s still hitting the books.
Currently, Erika Kirk is pursuing a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies (sometimes cited as a Doctorate in Christian Leadership) at Liberty University. This matches up with her "BIBLEin365" ministry and the faith-based clothing brand, Proclaim, she started years ago. She seems to be leaning heavily into the "faith and freedom" niche that her late husband spent a decade building.
Why People Are So Curious About Her Education
It's no secret that the Kirk family has had a... complicated relationship with higher education. Charlie Kirk famously built a huge part of his brand on the idea that "college is a scam." He often encouraged young people to skip the four-year degree in favor of trades or entrepreneurship.
So, when Erika took over the reigns of Turning Point USA, critics were quick to point out the irony. Here is a woman leading an "anti-college" movement who has:
🔗 Read more: Erik Menendez Height: What Most People Get Wrong
- Two bachelor’s degrees.
- One master’s degree.
- A doctorate in progress.
It’s a bit of a paradox, right? But if you listen to her speak, she distinguishes between the value of learning and the culture of modern universities. She’s essentially the academic backbone of an organization that tells people they don't necessarily need the very degrees she holds.
A Timeline of Erika Kirk’s Academic History
- 2007: Graduated from Notre Dame Preparatory High School (Scottsdale, AZ).
- 2007–2009: Attended Regis University on a basketball scholarship.
- 2012: Graduated from Arizona State University with B.A.s in Political Science and International Relations.
- 2017: Earned her Juris Master from Liberty University School of Law.
- 2024–2026: Currently enrolled in a Doctoral program at Liberty University.
What This Means for Turning Point USA
Erika Kirk isn't just a figurehead. Her background in international relations and legal studies suggests she has a more "systemic" understanding of how organizations run compared to the more firebrand, activist style her husband was known for.
Whether you agree with her politics or not, her educational record is pretty undeniable. She’s spent nearly a decade in various university systems. That experience is likely going to shape how TPUSA moves forward in 2026 and beyond. She knows the system she’s critiquing from the inside out.
If you’re trying to keep track of her professional moves or her latest podcast episodes, you’ll see her academic training frequently popping up in how she frames her arguments—often blending constitutional law with biblical theology. It's a specific brand of leadership that is clearly resonating with the TPUSA base.
Next steps to take if you're following this story: * Check out the official TPUSA leadership page to see how they've updated her bio since her appointment as CEO.
- Look into the difference between a Juris Master and a Juris Doctor if you’re curious about how her legal training applies to non-profit management.
- Follow her "Midweek Rise Up" podcast if you want to see how she applies her current Biblical Studies coursework to her public speaking.