Education Policy: Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements that apply specifically to this program are listed below

Ensuring Fit: Our Ph.D. in Education Policy program seeks students whose research interests are well-aligned with one or more of our faculty members. We strongly suggest applicants review faculty member's profiles, to learn more about faculty members’ areas of expertise and current research projects. When submitting their application materials and personal statements, applicants are encouraged to specifically highlight why they believe the Education Policy program at UVA may be a good fit for them, and explicitly discuss faculty members with whom they would be interested in collaborating. Prospective students are welcome to reach out to individual faculty members via email to ask questions about the program, research interests, etc.

• Applicants should demonstrate a background and interest in quantitative approaches to educational policy, as evidenced, for example, by appropriate social science undergraduate or master’s degrees or prior work experience. 
• A master’s degree is not a prerequisite for admission.
• In addition to the Ph.D., the School of Education and Human Development offers a dual Ph.D. and Master's of Public Policy in conjunction with the Frank Batten School of Public Policy.  We strongly encourage applicants to apply to the dual degree program.
• The faculty is especially interested in considering applications from persons of traditionally underrepresented groups in higher education.
• Please submit a resume as part of the online application.
• Please submit a statement of professional goals as part of the online application. Identify your specific interests in education policy, your rationale for applying to this program, and your long-term goals. 

Visit our Graduate Admission page for the full admission process.

Coursework

To learn more about specific courses taken as part of the completion of this degree, visit the Graduate Record website. These webpages represent the official repository for academic program requirements. 

• A set of rigorous methods courses, including at least 5 courses
• Courses in the following areas: (1) Foundations and Institutions in Education, (2) Social Science Tools and Approaches to Education, and (3) Educational Policy
• An ongoing, personalized, intensive research apprenticeship during each semester.
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate or graduate level.
• Completion of a comprehensive exam and dissertation requirements.

Ph.D./M.P.P. Dual Degree Option

In addition to the Ph.D. in Education Policy, the School of Education and Human Development (EHD) offers a dual Ph.D. and Master's of Public Policy in conjunction with the Frank Batten School of Public Policy. We strongly encourage applicants to apply to the dual degree program.

The dual degree leads to the completion of a Ph.D. in Education Policy and M.P.P. degrees in five years. Both EHD and Batten seek high-quality students with a commitment to improving policy outcomes, and there is extensive overlap in the coursework in both programs. The goal of a dual Ph.D. in Education Policy/M.P.P. program is to leverage the comparative advantage of both schools toward these mutual interests.

At any point in the program, the student may terminate plans for a dual degree and continue toward a single degree at either school. The student must then satisfy the normal requirements of the school elected, which may include credit for some of the work done in the other school, as determined by the appropriate officials of the school in question.

Dual Degree Admission

A student who wishes to be admitted into the dual degree program must apply to each school separately and be admitted to both EHD and Batten through the normal admissions processes of each school. The fact that the student is a candidate for the dual program is not considered at the application stage. 

Students who have been admitted to both schools and who wish to undertake the dual program should notify the registrar of each school and apply to the faculty advisors for permission to do so. Admission requires the approval of both EHD and Batten faculty advisors.

Application to one school may be made either prior to entrance to or while a first-year student at the other. No students will be admitted to the dual program after completing the first year of either EHD or Batten.

Financial aid is available and will be coordinated by the two schools. Financial aid is not guaranteed and is subject to individual school and University availability and regulations.