About the Program

The Ph.D degree program in educational leadership policy prepares graduates to be critically engaged educational policymakers. Graduates will be able to use data-driven methods to craft, enact and evaluate policy with a focus on making educational systems more equitable for students and families.

Our program prepares students for leadership positions in a wide variety of settings at local, state, national and international levels. Those include school districts, universities, government agencies, nonprofits and policy think tanks.

Program at a glance:

• Fully online
• 63 credit hours
• Interdisciplinary course of study
• Theory-to-practice curriculum
• Field-based internships
• Flexibility to pursue in-depth research
• Cohort approach

Students receive rigorous training in leadership, organizations, policy theory, research methods, policy implementation and advocacy. An interdisciplinary course of study provides a strong foundation for understanding the importance of policy in the context of educational systems, stakeholder relations and social change. Students also examine the impact of economic, political, sociological and historical factors on education policy.

The program seeks to bridge the divide between policy and practice.

Coursework involves the application of theory to real-world issues such as racial and economic disparities in student achievement or the role of school vouchers in education reform. Our faculty members all have practical experience in public education, ranging from school administrator to classroom teacher and counselor.

A cohort model allows students to move through the fully online program together and be part of a learning community. Using video conferencing, students regularly engage in a virtual classroom as if they were face-to-face.

Program Handbook

Join Us

Become a leader in your school, organization or community! Join a group of educators and professionals that seek to use policymaking to improve educational systems and make them fairer for students and families.

Applications should be submitted online via the online application portal on the Graduate School website. There, you will input biographical and contact information and submit required application materials. You can check the status of your application within the same portal.

Application Materials

Applications should include:

• Educator personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• Current resume/CV
• Written response to prompt
• GRE scores
• Transcripts

There is a nonrefundable $75 fee for each application. Applicants should read the "Program Application" and "PhD Program Admissions" sections in the program handbook.

• Due to ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Graduate School has temporarily changed its admission requirements regarding test scores. The GRE may optionally be submitted by applicants for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years, through the Summer 2024 application cycle. International applicants may use certain alternate exams in place of the TOEFL. Please visit the Graduate Admissions COVID-19 FAQ page for more information.

Tuition & Fees

Use the Student Business Services Tuition Estimator to estimate your costs.

FAQ

What is the admission timeline?

We recommend that for best consideration applicants submit their completed applications by January 15 for Fall admission. All Ph.D. applications will be reviewed after the deadline. Applications may be accepted and reviewed after this date if space is available until the cohort is filled. Once a cohort is filled, the admission committee may recommend a later start term for new qualified applicants. You can check the status of your application within the online application portal on the Graduate School website.

What is required for admission?

Please see the Program Handbook sections "Graduate School Application" and "PhD Program Admissions" for a complete list and explanation of the application requirements for the PhD in Educational Leadership Policy.

Do I need a master's degree for this program?

Applicants are strongly encourage to have a master's degree, but possible exceptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

How much does it cost?

Use the Student Business Services Tuition Estimator to estimate your costs.

What program is used to facilitate online courses?

This program uses Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Students regularly engage in a virtual classroom using video conferencing as if they were face-to-face. Instructors can share content like videos and slide presentations or use virtual whiteboards to interact.

Can I pursue this program if I am living abroad?

Yes.

How is the program structured?

The Educational Leadership Policy degree requires 51 hours of coursework and 12 hours of dissertation research for a minimum of 63 hours of total doctoral coursework. It uses a cohort approach to foster a learning community among students. The program is interdisciplinary, meaning it will integrate curriculum from different departments.

Can I enroll in this program while working?

Yes — this program can be completed while working full time. The coursework portion of the program lasts three years, with students taking two courses per semester, including the summer term. The dissertation phase begins after coursework ends and is designed to meet the students' schedules and availability.

Where do I apply?

Applications should be submitted online via the online application portal on the Graduate School website.