Program Overview

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Educational Policy and Evaluation, PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy program in Educational Policy and Evaluation is designed to prepare scholars to conduct rigorous, high-impact, and transdisciplinary research on education policies that affect conditions in pre-K--20 and other educational environments.

Program Description

In this program, doctoral students engage in systematic analyses of education policies and practices in a variety of settings, including schools, universities, research centers, government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations. The program emphasizes intensive training in the theory, methods, and implementation of education policy, with a focus on research and evaluation. Students pursue an area of specialization supported by faculty expertise.

At a Glance

• College/School: Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree Requirements

The program requires 84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus, and a dissertation.

Required Core (21 credit hours)

• COE 502 Introduction to Data Analysis (3)
• COE 503 Introduction to Qualitative Research (3)
• EPA 701 Proseminar in Education Policy I (3)
• EPA 702 Proseminar in Education Policy II (3)
• EPA 704 Proseminar in Evaluation and Evaluation Research (6)
• EPA 752 Research Design (3)

Electives (45 credit hours)

• Research (6 credit hours)
  • Advanced research methods (6)
• Culminating Experience (12 credit hours)
  • EPA 799 Dissertation (12) or
  • DCI 799 Dissertation (12) or
  • SPE 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information

Of the 84 credit hours required for the degree, 54 must be earned at ASU, and 24 of the ASU credit hours must be earned in research and dissertation courses. The coursework includes classes in evaluation, policy analysis, research methods, and an area of specialization.

Students who enter the doctoral program with a master's degree in a related discipline may count up to 30 credit hours from the master's degree toward the 84 credit hours. In addition, with program and Graduate College approval, a student may use up to 12 additional credit hours toward the doctorate if documentation is provided showing that those credit hours were not part of the master's degree.

Of the 45 credit hours for electives, 15 should be earned in the areas of specialization.

Admission Requirements

General University Admission Requirements

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

• U.S. applicants
• International applicants
• English proficiency

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.

Applicants must have earned a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution or an international equivalent as determined by Graduate Admission Services.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

1. graduate admission application and application fee
2. official transcripts
3. three letters of recommendation
4. personal statement
5. academic writing sample
6. curriculum vitae
7. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information

An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

The letters of recommendation should be from individuals who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program.

The personal statement should describe the applicant's interests and reason for seeking this degree.

The academic writing sample should be a substantive piece of writing created for an academic or professional audience.

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

• Synthesize theoretical perspectives and literature related to their focus of educational research (learning, literacies, and/or technologies)
• Design an educational research study
• Implement an educational research study

Career Opportunities

Graduates gain the knowledge and skills to pursue careers as education researchers who advance the collective understanding of education policy for pre-K--20 and other education environments.

Career examples include:

• policy analyst
• professor
• program evaluator
• researcher

Program Structure and Specializations

The program is structured to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of educational policy and evaluation, with opportunities for specialization in areas supported by faculty expertise. Students work closely with nationally and internationally recognized faculty members on collaborative and independent research projects that advance education, including scholarly articles, policy briefs, reports, and engagement in education policy. The program also provides opportunities to influence the field through internships in applied settings and experiences in scholarly publishing.