Benefits

• The Ph.D. program in Cultural and Educational Policy Studies attracts students from around the world, providing students and faculty with a culturally diverse educational experience.
• Courses offered in the evenings and occasionally on Saturday mornings accommodate students with full-time jobs in educational settings.

Degree Requirements

Total Hours: 60
Practicum: None
Comprehensive: Three Essays
Dissertation: Required

Length of the Program: This is a 60-semester-hour program, of which up to 30 hours can be included from previous graduate study, as approved by the student's advisor. Students typically take up to two or three courses each term and up to two courses during the summer. Completion time for the dissertation depends on the topic selected and the diligence of the student.  Time allowed for degree completion, including the dissertation, is six years. (See GA&S Policy: Time Limit for Completion of Degree Requirements)

Curriculum Plan: Completion of the Ph.D. degree program requires 60 semester hours, a comprehensive examination, a dissertation and a final oral dissertation defense. Students are required to obtain adequate preparation in research courses appropriate to their depth area.

Technology Expectation
All students are provided Internet access to link electronically to classmates, faculty and student services. In order to use these technological resources, all students must have the computer skills necessary to support academic work (i.e., word processing, PowerPoint) and to access e-mail and the Internet.

Continuous Enrollment
Doctoral students in cultural and educational policy studies are required to maintain the status of continuous enrollment during their program of studies. (See GA&S Policy: Academic Standing - Continuous Registration) This means that during each semester of each academic year (excluding Summer Sessions), each student must do one of the following:

• Enroll in one of the following:
  • At least one course OR
  • ELPS 610 - Doctoral Studies (maximum enrollment two semesters) OR
  • ELPS 600 - Dissertation Supervision
• A formal leave of absence may be granted upon request and the approval of the Graduate School's Associate Dean.

Cultural Foundations and Policy Core (12 semester hours)
One course from each of the following areas:
Comparative and International Education, History of Education, Philosophy of Education, and Sociology of Education.

Depth Area (15 semester hours) in one of the following areas:
Comparative and International Education, History of Education, Sociology of Education, Philosophy of Education.

Research Courses and Electives (33 hours):

• RMTD 420 Educational Research I: Building a Body of Evidence Using Qualitative Methods
• RMTD 421 Educational Research II: Building a Body of Evidence Using Quantitative Methods

Additional research and elective courses are selected in consultation with an advisor.

Comprehensive Assessment
Three essays based on an agreed-upon reading list written over a three week period. Comprehensive Protocol & Comprehensive Examination Form

Dissertation

• Dissertation - Ph.D. Dissertation Forms
• Preparing the Dissertation Proposal
• Oral Defense of the Dissertation

Degree Conferral
While the commencement ceremony is every May, degrees can be conferred May, August, and December. Students must apply for graduation/degree conferral. Students should apply for graduation in the semester they anticipate completing all degree requirements. Failure to meet application deadlines may result in a delay of the conferral of the degree to the following semester. Applications for Degree Conferral are due:

• August 1 for December conferral
• December 1 for May conferral
• February 1 for August conferral

Please note the degree conferral application is valid for only one semester. If the degree is not conferred for the semester requested, a new application and fee are required for a subsequent semester.