Program Overview

Educational Theory and Policy and Joint Law Degree

The Educational Theory and Policy (EDTHP) program at Penn State offers a joint degree program with Penn State Law (PSL), leading to a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Education Theory & Policy.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must apply and be admitted first to Penn State Law, and subsequently to the Educational Theory and Policy graduate program.
• Admissions requirements and applications for admission for Penn State Law are listed in the J.D. Admissions section of the Penn State Law website.
• When applying to the Educational Theory and Policy graduate program, applicants must include two letters of recommendation from Penn State Law faculty members and a career statement.
• Applicants to the joint degree program may submit LSAT scores instead of GRE scores.
• Students must be admitted to the program prior to taking the first course they intend to count towards the graduate degree.

Residency

• Students will normally spend four semesters in residence at PSL and as many additional semesters in residence as needed to complete the additional requirements for the pertinent EDTHP degree.
• Ph.D. candidates must arrange the sequence of semesters to ensure that they are in residence as full-time students in the EDTHP program for at least two consecutive semesters (Fall-Spring or Spring-Fall) excluding summer in a single twelve-month period.

Degree Requirements

• Students must fulfill all requirements for each degree in order to be awarded that degree, subject to the double-counting of credits as outlined below.
• Degree requirements for the J.D. program are listed on the Penn State Law website.
• Degree requirements for the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees are listed in the Master’s Degree and Doctoral Degree Requirements section.
• A maximum of twelve credits for EDTHP course work may be double-counted for credit toward the J.D. degree at PSL.
• The following courses may qualify for credit in PSL:
  • EDTHP 518 Analysis of U. S. Educational Policy
  • EDTHP 520 Perspectives on Contemporary School Reform
  • EDTHP 533 Social History and Education Policy
  • EDTHP 541 Contemporary Philosophies of Education
  • EDLDR 576 Law and Education
  • EDTHP 587 Education Policy and Politics

Sequence

• The sequence of courses will be determined by the students and their advisers.

Recommended Program of Study and Advising

• All students in the program will have two advisers, one from PSL and one from EDTHP.
• Periodic interaction between the two advisors is encouraged.

Tuition

• Students will be charged the applicable PSL tuition to cover the J.D. program and the applicable graduate tuition to cover the EDTHP degree program.
• PSL tuition will be paid for the semesters in which the student is registered for PSL courses, and graduate tuition will be paid for the semesters in which the student is registered for graduate courses.
• A student may take up to one course (3 credits) per semester in the program where the student is not primarily registered without any change in tuition, but must pay additional tuition to the program that the student is not primarily registered if he or she wishes to take additional course work pursuant to that program during the semester.

Financial Aid and Assistantships

• Decisions on financial aid and assistantships will be made by each school according to that school's procedures.

Fulfillment of Degree Requirements and Graduation

• All courses in one program that will count toward meeting the requirements of the other program must be completed before the awarding of either degree.
• If students accepted into the joint degree program are unable to complete the J.D. degree, they are still eligible to receive the EDTHP degree if all EDTHP degree requirements have been satisfied.

Programs and Degrees

The College of Education offers a wide range of programs and degrees, including:

• World Campus Online Doctor of Education Program
• Teacher Testing & Certification
• Office of International Programs
• ExCEL Program
• The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

Research and Grants

The College of Education is committed to research and grants, with various centers and institutes, including:

• Journey Success Center
• Goodling Institute
• Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy
• Restorative Justice Initiative

About

The College of Education is dedicated to providing high-quality education and research opportunities, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Dean's Office

The Dean's Office is responsible for overseeing the College of Education, with various departments and programs, including:

• Office of Education and Social Equity
• Office of Faculty Affairs
• Associate Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Education

Accreditation and Program Review

The College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), with various programs and degrees meeting the accreditation requirements.

Alumni and Giving

The College of Education has a strong alumni network, with various opportunities for giving and engagement, including:

• Philanthropic Opportunities
• Stay Connected and Get Involved
• Alumni Society Awards
• Events
• Alumni Resources
• Alumni Society Board
• Alumni Student Teacher Network
• Mentoring
• Newsletter Signup

Current Students

The College of Education provides various resources and support for current students, including:

• Commencement
• Graduate Funding Opportunities
• Student Groups

For Faculty and Staff

The College of Education provides various resources and support for faculty and staff, including:

• Faculty Council
• Operations
• Social Media Guidelines
• COVID-19 Forms
• Checklist for remote working capability
• College of Education Task Forces
• Commitment to Equity
• Councils and Committees
• Design Resources
• Faculty, Staff, and Student Awards
• Finance Office
• Human Resources
• Staff Advisory Council
• Website Accessibility
• Technology Committee
• Graduate Recruitment Funding Programs

Directory

The College of Education provides a directory of faculty, staff, and students, with contact information and departmental listings.

News

The College of Education publishes news and updates on various topics, including research, awards, and events.

PSU.EDU

The College of Education is part of Penn State University, with various resources and services available through the university's website.

LionPATH

The College of Education uses LionPATH, a student information system, to manage student records and provide various services and resources.