Program Overview

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, PhD

The PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with an option in Higher Education is a research-focused degree designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills to lead in a complex, contemporary higher education environment. Our curriculum and professional development activities link research and practice, providing students with both empirical knowledge and innovative skills. Our graduates go on to serve as leaders, administrators, faculty, and policy analysts in higher education and higher education adjacent organizations across the country and around the world.

Option Details

• Option: Higher Education Courses
• Department: School of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Aviation
• College: Education and Human Sciences
• Available At: OSU Stillwater Campus
• Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Curriculum

Designed for working professionals, but flexible enough for full-time students, our hybrid-delivery cohort-based program is a minimum of 63 hours beyond the master's degree. It is designed for students to complete six credit hours during fall, spring, and most summers. Only three in-person days at the Stillwater campus are required each fall and spring semester for hybrid courses and professional development.

Research and Faculty

Our student-oriented faculty are grounded in the history and mission of higher education and are attuned to emerging trends in global higher education. We focus on equipping contemporary professionals for the diverse context of today's world. Faculty research expertise includes:

• College-bound and in-college hidden student populations
• Socially-just education
• Diverse student learning outcomes
• Place-based community-university engagement
• Organizational issues in higher education
• International issues in higher education and student affairs

Admissions

Student matriculate into the Ph.D. program only in the fall semester with a priority admissions deadline of February 1. If space remains available, additional applications received prior to April 1 may also be considered for the fall semester. To apply for the PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, option in Higher Education program, complete the following:

• Graduate College application
• Transcripts from all previously attended institutions (3.0 minimum graduate GPA required)
• Current résumé/vita
• Two letters of recommendation, with a minimum of one that speaks to your ability to be successful in graduate work
• Personal statement (2-3 pages, double-spaced) with the following sections:
  • Why you wish to complete a PhD and why is now the right time for you
  • Higher education and related experience preparing you for a PhD
  • Career goals/how you hope to utilize PhD
  • Your support systems for degree completion (existing and planned, people and systems)
  • Your research interests
  • A list of your previous coursework in statistics and/or research design with associated completion dates
• Current TOEFL/IELTS scores for international applicants
• Interview: Program faculty may request an interview with the applicant

Cost & Assistance

Graduate Research Associate (GRA) positions in on-campus departments and programs may be available on a competitive basis to full-time students. Currently enrolled students are eligible for scholarships offered through the College of Education and Human Sciences.