Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Graduate Programs
The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies offers a broad range of graduate professional programs in educational leadership and policy. For complete program information, contact the department.
Graduate programs in educational leadership and policy studies promote the professional and intellectual development of practitioners, teachers, and scholars at all levels of education. The department offers Master of Science in Education degrees in educational administration (PK-12), education and social policy, and higher education, as well as Ed.D. and Ph.D. degrees in educational leadership and policy studies with concentrations in educational administration, higher education, policy studies, and social and cultural studies (Ph.D only).
Note: Prospective and current students should obtain the current degree requirements from the departments.
Graduate Admission to the School of Education and Human Sciences
Graduate programs in education are open to students with acceptable baccalaureate and graduate degrees whose academic records indicate that they can do successful work at the graduate level. Applicants must provide evidence of ability to work successfully at the graduate level, including experience in and commitment to the profession.
Each department in the School of Education and Human Sciences sets its own application deadlines and admission criteria. Prospective graduate students should contact the appropriate department for more information.
See Admission in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog for more information.
Ph.D. program application requirements:
1. A bachelor’s and master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, or an international university with substantially equivalent degree requirements are required for consideration. However, a bachelor’s degree followed by at least 30 hours of master’s level coursework that has not been applied toward another degree may be acceptable in some circumstances.
2. All postsecondary transcripts.
3. A minimum of 3.00 undergraduate GPA, or an undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0 combined with a master’s or doctoral degree GPA of at least 3.0.
4. Proof of English proficiency, for non-native English speakers. Visit https://gradapply.ku.edu/english-requirements for further details.
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (optional). GRE scores are optional. The ELPS department relies on a holistic approach to evaluating applicants, involving a plurality of methods and information, rather than prioritizing standardized test scores such as GRE performance. While you are welcome to submit GRE scores as additional information, we do not have any cutoffs; and, not submitting your GRE score will not affect your application negatively.
6. Statement of purpose (5-8 pages maximum). Please describe your interests and commitment to the goals and curriculum of the ELPS Ph.D. program. It is recommended that you address your personal and academic background and your scholarly and related professional goals. You also could explain a specific research interest or a faculty member with whom you want to work. It is important that you thoroughly address your preferred area of specialization in the ELPS program and explain reasons why you would be a good fit (e.g., education policy, social and cultural studies in education, higher education administration, educational leadership) In addition, please address any life experiences that have shaped your decision to pursue a doctorate, along with personal experiences or achievements that would help you contribute to the ELPS program; to KU’s mission for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness; and to your professional aspirations once you complete the degree.
7. CV or resume. Please include at a minimum: post-high school education; relevant professional and/or scholarly experience; research experience and other pertinent experience; honors, other recognitions received; conference presentations, publications, reports.
8. Writing samples. These can include professional works (not necessarily academic papers), formal reports, other pertinent work. The writing sample(s) should demonstrate your ability to think critically and/or analytically about an issue or a task. We are looking for documents of substantive quality and length, though there is no official minimum or maximum page limit.
9. Letters of recommendations from three individuals who can speak directly to the applicant’s academic skills and potential for rigorous, independent doctoral level work. Preferably the letters will be from current or former professors but can also include a letter from an immediate supervisor.
10.Phone or video conference interview. After initial screening, ELPS faculty may invite you for an interview to address remaining questions about your objectives and fit for the program. The interview may also involve an interactive evaluation of your scholarly skills and potential.
Graduate Admission
Applicants for all programs must submit the following materials:
(Individual program concentrations may require additional application materials. Please check the departmental website or program advisor for additional requirements.)
- Graduate application.
- 1 official transcript from each post-secondary collegiate institution attended
- Statement of purpose with relevance of degree to career aspirations.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required for master's applicants and are optional for doctoral candidates.
- 3 letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant’s capacity for rigorous graduate study and qualifications for leadership positions in education and related fields.
- A vita or resume.
- Proof of English proficiency, for non-native English speakers. Visit https://gradapply.ku.edu/english-requirements for further details.
- Writing sample (doctoral applicants).
The following application deadlines apply:
Educational Administration
| Semester | Applicants | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Ed.D applicants | April 1 |
| Fall | Ph.D applicants | March 1 |
Higher Education
| Semester | Applicants | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Master's degree deadlines | ||
| Fall | Master’s applicants who intend to enroll full-time and seek graduate assistantships. *The priority deadline is to participate in the assistantship process for full-time applicants. We are unable to guarantee availability of assistantships for students who submit after the priority deadline. | January 5 |
| Fall | Master’s applicants who intend to enroll full time and seek graduate assistantships in housing only are not required to submit an academic application prior to the Oshkosh Placement Exchange (OPE). More information can be found at: https://housing.ku.edu/employment-graduate-staff | Contact department |
| Fall | Master's applicants who are working professionals | July 1 |
| Spring | Master's applicants who are working professionals | December 1 |
| Summer | Master's applicants who are working professionals | May 1 |
| Doctoral degree deadlines | ||
| Fall | Ph.D. applicants | March 1 |
| Summer | Ed.D applicants | April 1 |
Education and Social Policy
| Semester | Applicants | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Master's degree deadlines | ||
| Fall | Master’s applicants | March 1 |
| Spring | Master’s applicants | October 1 |
| Summer | Master’s applicants | April 1 |
Social and Cultural Studies in Education
| Semester | Applicants | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral degree deadline | ||
| Fall | Ph.D applicants | March 1 |
Policy Studies
| Semester | Applicants | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral degree deadline | ||
| Fall | Ph.D applicants | March 1 |
The SOEHS requires 36 hours in the major area. For the ELPS PhD, the 36 hours are distributed as follows:
- Departmental Core—12 hours
- EDUC 800 Education as a Field of Scholarship
- ELPS 831 Sociology of Education
- ELPS 949 Educational Policy and Politics
- ELPS 998 Educational change/innovation
- Concentration courses are determined in conjunction with advisor and advising committee—24 hours.
- 12-15 hours must be in ELPS. These are in addition to the courses in the departmental core. Typically, no more than two of the program courses may be taken as independent studies. More than two independent studies requires justification by student and advisor.
- 9-12 hours will be taken outside of ELPS
- One of the 8 total concentration courses must be a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion course.
- Research -- Minimum of 15 hours (EPSY 715 or its equivalent does not count toward the PhD)
- Basic quantitative research course, e.g., EPSY 710/11
- Basic qualitative research, e.g., ELPS 871
- 2 Intermediate or advanced qualitative or quantitative courses (or equivalent depth in historical or philosophical methods)
- A research design course taken early in a student’s program
- Note: Students may seek to waive 6 hours of prior graduate statistics, qualitative, or methods courses upon approval of advisor/advising committee. For students seeking waivers, depending on career aspirations, it may be in their best interest to begin research courses at a higher level and take 12 hours of advanced research courses at KU.
- Full-time study. Students must complete at least one year of full-time study (defined as 9 credit hours per semester). If one holds a GTA position or a related GRA position, full-time is defined as 6 credit hours per semester.
A College Teaching Experience is no longer required but is highly recommended for students who are not GTAs but who are interested in pursuing a faculty position.
PhD students should expect to engage in “co-curricular” activities appropriate to their career aspirations above and beyond the specific degree requirements. These include conducting and presenting research at conferences, engaging in internships with policy organizations, etc.
The Responsible Conduct of Research requirement is met through EDUC 800.
The program is offered in-person on the Lawrence Campus although some courses may be online or taken at the Edwards Campus.