Education Policy, PhD
Students in the Education Policy Ph.D. program pursue an individualized program of study that reflects their specific interests in education policy at the local, state, national, or international levels.
The Education Policy Ph.D. program equips graduates with the knowledge and methodological tools to use, understand, and conduct research on the pressing educational issues of the day. Students pursue an individualized program of study that reflects their specific interests, and are required to write a significant qualifying paper and complete a dissertation on an issue in education. At the heart of the Ph.D. program is the research apprenticeship, where students work on research projects alongside faculty members. Doctoral students are matched with Education Policy faculty members whose research interests align with their own. Our program prepares students for a variety of careers, including faculty positions at institutions of higher education, and policy research positions at research firms, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.
For more information: http://www.gse.upenn.edu/ep/phd
View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs.
Curriculum
A total of 16 course units is required for graduation.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Disciplinary Foundation Courses | ||
| Select four of the following: | 4 | |
| Economics of Education in Developing Countries | ||
| Philosophical Aspects of Education Policy | ||
| Politics and Education | ||
| American Education Reform: History, Policy, Practice | ||
| School and Society in America | ||
| Sociology of Education | ||
| Leadership in Educational Institutions | ||
| Education Finance Policy | ||
| Economic Aspects of Educational Policy | ||
| Risk, Resilience, and Prevention Science | ||
| The Social Organization of Schooling | ||
| Teachers and Teaching Policy | ||
| Sociology of Education | ||
| Behavioral Economics and Social Policy Design | ||
A course approved by your advisor | ||
| Policy and Program Analysis | ||
| Select three of the following: | 3 | |
| EDUC 5760 | Applied Research Methods to Inform Policy and Practice | |
| EDUC 6720 | Methods of Economic Evaluation in Education | |
| EDUC 6739 | Applied Policy Analysis | |
| EDUC 8710 | Advanced Analysis in the Economics of Education | |
| EDUC 8762 | Applied Research & Reporting | |
| Quantitative Research Methods | ||
| Select five of the following: | 5 | |
| EDUC 6667 | Introductory Statistics for Educational Research | |
| EDUC 7762 | Introduction to Applied Quantitative Methods for Education Research: Pre-K to 20 | |
| STAT 5000 | Applied Regression and Analysis of Variance | |
| STAT 5010 | Introduction to Nonparametric Methods and Log-linear Models | |
| STAT 5030 | Data Analytics and Statistical Computing | |
| STAT 5200 | Applied Econometrics I | |
| STAT 5210 | Applied Econometrics II | |
| STAT 5710 | Modern Data Mining | |
| STAT 9210 | Observational Studies | |
| EDUC 7665 | Introduction to Causal Inference for Educational Research | |
| EDUC 7667 | Regression and Analysis of Variance | |
| EDUC 7836 | Quasi-Experimental Design | |
| EDUC 8671 | Randomized Trials and Experiments | |
| EDUC 8680 | Complex, Multilevel, and Longitudinal Research Models | |
| EDUC 8681 | Classifications, Profiles, and Latent Growth Mixture Models | |
| SOCI 5351 | Quantitative Methods II | |
| SOCI 6120 | Categorical Data Analysis | |
| SOCI 6620 | Panel Data Analysis | |
| Elective Methods (Measurement, Qualitative, or Mixed) | ||
| Select two of the following: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Mixed-Methods Research | ||
| Survey Methods & Design | ||
| Measurement & Assessment | ||
| Qualitative Research: Concepts, Methods and Design | ||
| Advanced Qualitative and Case Study Research | ||
| Factor Analysis and Scale Development | ||
| Building Inclusive Communities in Higher Education | ||
| Policy Seminar | ||
| Take the credit in second year of PhD program | 1 | |
| Education Policy Issues | ||
| GSE First Year Seminar | ||
| EDUC 7132 | Doctoral Proseminar on Education Research | 1 |
| Total Course Units | 16 | |
- 1
Elective courses may be taken at any school at Penn. Courses must be at the 5000 level or above and taken for a letter grade.
Required Milestones
Qualifications Evaluation (Also known as Program Candidacy)
A Qualifications Evaluation of each student is conducted after the completion of 6 but not more than 8 course units. The evaluation is designed by the specialization faculty and may be based on an examination or on a review of a student’s overall academic progress.
Preliminary Examination (Also known as Doctoral Candidacy)
A Candidacy Examination on the major subject area is required. The candidacy examination is a test of knowledge in the student's area of specialization, requiring students to demonstrate knowledge and reasoning in the key content areas in their specialization as defined by their academic division. This examination is normally held after the candidate has completed all required courses.
Oral Proposal
All doctoral candidates must present their dissertation proposals orally and in person to the dissertation committee.
Final Defense of the Dissertation
The final dissertation defense is approximately two hours in length and is based upon the candidate’s dissertation.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.