Program Overview

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Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis: Educational Policy Analysis & Evaluation, PhD

This is a named option in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis PhD. The Departments emphasis is on conducting educational policy research and analysis with a goal of advancing the achievement of all students through effective policy design, development, implementation, and evaluation of educational policies and programs.

Program Description

Students develop a knowledge base that includes a strong foundation in research methods (both quantitative and qualitative) and an ability to conduct sophisticated educational policy research and analysis grounded in understandings of the educational policy and governance system in the U.S. and the issues and challenges facing educational leaders embedded in school, university, community/technical college, or adult learning contexts.

Recent graduates of the program are faculty members at research universities, researchers in research centers and consulting firms, policy analysts for non-profit organizations, university administrators, a university president, and policy analysts at the federal and state levels.

Admissions

• Fall Deadline: December 1
• Spring Deadline: The program does not admit in the spring.
• Summer Deadline: The program does not admit in the summer.
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required.
• English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy.
• Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): n/a
• Letters of Recommendation Required: 3

Application

Applicants are required to upload the following items to the online application:

1. Essay statement. Each applicant must submit a "Reasons for Study" essay.
   • What are your primary career goals and professional gaps you have identified as important for your intellectual and professional advancement over the next 5-10 years?
   • In what ways will these professional gaps be addressed through a doctoral program at UW-Madison?
   • Describe at least one research topic and/or project you plan to work on during your doctoral program.
   • As you will note, the program is interested in developing and maintaining a diverse and engaged learning community. Please identify any unique or special contributions you will bring to this community.
2. Unofficial transcripts. If recommended for admission, official transcripts will be requested by the Graduate School.
3. Resume or CV.
4. Three letters of recommendation. Recommendations from three (3) people who are qualified to evaluate the academic and professional competence of the applicants are required.
5. Supporting document if required. Applicants who earned an undergraduate GPA below 3.00 or a graduate GPA below 3.5 should provide additional explanation/documentation to support their admission.

Funding

The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School.

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 75 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 32 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 51 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required.
• Other Grade Requirements: n/a
• Assessments and Examinations: Doctoral students are required to take a comprehensive preliminary/oral examination after they have cleared their record of all Incomplete and Progress grades (other than research and thesis). Deposit of the doctoral dissertation in the Graduate School is required.
• Language Requirements: None.
• Graduate School Breadth Requirement: All doctoral students are required to complete a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate.

Required Courses

• Introduction to the Field:
  • ELPA 810: Doctoral Inquiry in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (3 credits)
  • ELPA 961: Critical Issues in Educational Policy (3 credits)
• Core Knowledge: The department believes that students in educational administration should be familiar with four program areas of knowledge:
  1. Organizations and Planning
  2. Program and Instructional Leadership and Management
  3. Politics, Policy and Finance
  4. Learning and Diversity Students should take one course from each program area.
• Program Depth: The department believes students should have depth in at least one of the four program areas. Therefore, the department requires students in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis select 1 of the 4 domains and take at least 3 ADDITIONAL courses in that program area.
• Electives: Students may take any five courses inside or outside of the Department, to provide depth or breadth to program focus.
• Breadth: Breadth is a rational, unified set of courses taken outside of the department which have a clearly articulated theme or focus which allows the student to develop knowledge in a related area of study.
• Research Methods and Design: Students must complete a sequence of courses in research methods and design, focusing on either quantitative or qualitative methods.
• Thesis: Students are required to complete a minimum of nine credits of research/thesis and/or independent reading.

Graduate School Policies

The Graduate Schools Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures and are updated continuously.

Named Option-Specific Policies

• Prior Coursework:
  • Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions: With program approval, students may transfer no more than 36 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions.
  • Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison: No credits from an undergraduate degree may transfer.
• Probation: Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.
• Advisor / Committee: Every graduate student is required to have an advisor.
• Credits Per Term Allowed: 15 credit maximum.
• Time Limits: Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.
• Grievances and Appeals: These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns.

Professional Development

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.