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Educational Policy and Evaluation, PhD

Educational Policy and Evaluation, PhD

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Educational Policy and Evaluation, PhD

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At one of the top-ranked colleges of education in the world, you can prepare to be a leader in thought and action while working closely with internationally recognized faculty.

Program description
Degree awarded: PHD  Educational Policy and Evaluation

The PhD program in educational policy and evaluation prepares scholars to conduct rigorous, high-impact and transdisciplinary research on education policies that affect conditions in preK-20 and other educational environments.

Doctoral students in the educational policy and evaluation program 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.

Educational policy and evaluation 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 for internships in applied settings and experiences in scholarly publishing to influence the field.

At a glance
Degree requirements

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 entering 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 credit hours should be earned in the areas of specialization.

Admission requirements

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

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution or an international equivalent as determined by Graduate Admissions.

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.

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.
Career opportunities

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

Career examples include:

  • policy analyst
  • professor
  • program evaluator
  • researcher
Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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