PhD in Educational Policy Studies

Degree Overview

The mission of the Ph.D. emphasis in Educational Policy Studies is to prepare graduates for positions in academia or policy organizations that require their knowledge, analytic capabilities, and research skills. Such positions may include: policy researcher or analyst in the public or private sector (e.g., state level agencies, education associations, philanthropy, business); the professorate; executive and administrative posts in the profit and not-for profit sectors. The concentration of the emphasis area is on research and scholarship, rather than applied practice; however, this does not exclude "practitioners" from pursuing the degree.

The concept of policy guiding this degree program is flexible enough to accommodate a range of theoretical perspectives and research paradigms. This reflects our valuing of interdisciplinary inquiry and multiple ways of knowing. Policy Studies includes the process of deciding on directions for an organization, institution, or political entity, products of those decisions (e.g., laws, regulation, recommendations), and consequences of processes and products for persons affected at all levels.

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree or equivalent
• A competitive Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score
• Possible interviews with selected faculty
• Completed University and ELPA applications

 Any exceptions to the above must be justified.

Degree Requirements

Ph.D candidates shall complete the required 63 hours by electing courses with their advisors that will most fully meet their individual needs. At least 16 hours must be taken at the 400-level or above with at least 16 hours in professional education. For Residency two 9-hour semester or three 6-hour semesters or two 9-hour summer semesters. A maximum of 6 semester hours of graduate level graded course work completed at another accredited college or university offering an equivalent degree may be transferred subject to approval by the advisor, the Department Director of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate School. A dissertation and final defense will be required of all candidates. PhD students complete comprehensive exams. The format of Comprehensive Examinations may vary, and is determined by students committees.

Course Work

After the Feb 15 deadline-Applicants who intend to be a full-time graduate student and wish to be considered for a University of Missouri Graduate School Fellowship, must indicate their intent to be considered on the departmental application and must have completed and submitted all application materials no later than January 15. More information about the fellowships can be found at:http://gradschool.missouri.edu/financial/assistantships-fellowships/fellowships/internal/

All PhD students must take the department core curriculum, which is composed of:

• Educational Leadership
• Educational Policy Analysis
• Organizational Analysis
• Social Theory in Education
• Teaching/Research Internship

All PhD students are required to complete internships in both college teaching and research. The doctoral student's advisory committee and the department's director of graduate studies will determine when this requirement has been satisfied.

Application Deadlines

Applications will be reviewed twice annually. For consideration for admission, all application materials must be completed and submitted by the following dates:

• Fall Semester: January 15
• Spring Semester: September 15

Notes: To receive full consideration for a departmental graduate assistantship in the following academic year, you should submit your application by February 1; e.g., submit by February 1, 2011, for an assistantship in 2011-12.

How to Apply

Submit the following documentation to:

• Graduate School Application

Submit the following documentation to:

Departmental application form

• PhD-Policy Studies pdf
  

Departmental Graduate Assistantship application form

• Assistantship Application pdf
• Current Resume
• Reference Forms from 3 Individuals
• Official copy of your transcripts
• Official GRE score
  • Spring 2012 applicants: Please note that starting August 1, 2011, the GRE revised General Test will replace the current GRE General Test.  During the initial few months of offering the revised exam (August through mid-November 2011), ETS will not be reporting test scores. Therefore, in order to have your GRE scores to us to meet most spring application deadlines, you must take the current GRE General Test by July 31.  More information on the revised GRE General Test is available online at http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/know
• Official TOEFL score (if applicable)

Fees and Financial Aid

Find more information on related fees and financial aid opportunities.

Other Information

For more information about this program contact the ELPA Department by phone at 573-882-8221 or by e-mail at elpagrad@missouri.edu