departments & programs academic departments educational leadership & policy studies educational research and policy analysis Ph.D in Educational Research and Policy Analysis
Information:
Dr. Robert Serow
Department Head, Professor and Program Coordinator
919-515-1766
robert_serow@ncsu.edu
Mission
Program Objectives
Program Components
Admissions
The Ph.D. Program in Educational Research and Policy Analysis at North Carolina State University trains students as researchers, analysts, and evaluators who will work in agencies that provide educational services to youth and adults.
Mission
The mission of the Ph.D. program in Educational Research and Policy Analysis is to improve education through the preparation of researchers, analysts, and evaluators who will work in agencies that investigate, govern, or offer educational services to youth and adults.
Graduates of the program will be able to conceptualize, design, translate, and disseminate their work from multiple perspectives using a broad repertoire of theoretical frameworks and methodological skills. They will be capable of conducting high quality investigations of field-relevant questions in an objective, ethical, and sensitive manner. They will balance the desire for collaboration with individual responsibility, and they will balance rigorous technological mastery with personal vision and caring.
These outcomes are developed through a preparatory program which requires a common set of core courses to develop socio-political perspectives and academic knowledge and individualized studies emphasizing either advanced research methodologies or political and administrative processes.
Program Objectives
• To provide students with the foundations of knowledge which will enable them to understand the context within which they practice as researchers and policy makers.
• To prepare students with a comprehensive knowledge of the philosophical assumptions underlying inquiry.
• To prepare students with strong observational, analytical, synthesis, and evaluation skills.
• To prepare students with knowledge of theory and its contribution to research, the knowledge base, and practice.
• To prepare students who are predisposed to examine educational phenomena from multiple theoretical and analytical perspectives.
• To prepare students who are able to conceptualize and execute theory-driven inquiry independently.
• To prepare students who value and are capable of disseminating the findings of their research to multiple audiences.
• To prepare students who practice educational research and policy analysis from responsible ethical perspectives.
Program Components
Requirements for completion of the Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Analysis are subject to the policies of the University of North Carolina system and of North Carolina State University. Please consult the relevant section of the Graduate Administrative Handbook at http://www.ncsu.edu/grad/handbook/chapter3.php#phd
The courses listed below, and the accompanying credit hours, should be considered the minimum requirements for the degree. On the recommendation of members of the student's advisory committee, the required classes may be supplemented by additional coursework. For more detailed information about each course, consult the Graduate Catalog at http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/reg_records/crs_cat/dir_ELP.html#graduate
*Students employed full-time and enrolled in the MSA, Ed.D., or Ph.D.
programs may not enroll for more than 12 credit hours in any one semester.
Research Methods and Data Analysis (12 credit hour minimum)
ELP 736: Qualitative Research in Education (3)
ELP 737: Advanced Qualitative Applications in School Administration and Policy (3)
ELP 742: Applied Research Methods in Education (3)
ELP 743: Advanced Quantitative Applications in School Administration and Policy (3)
Foundational Core (12 credit hour minimum)
ELP 724: Contemporary Educational Thought (3)
ELP 729: Educational Finance (3)
ELP 735: Policy Research in Education (3)
ELP 780: Evaluation Theory and Practice in Education (3)
Minor (approximately 12 credit hours)
Students must select a minor area of study, which will consist of a sequence of courses from a program or department other than those offered in the major department. The precise composition of the minor is negotiated by the student and the faculty member from that area who agrees to serve as a member of the student's doctoral advisory committee.
Collateral Specialization (approximately 6 hours)
Students should select a collateral specialization from courses not included in either the major or minor fields of study. These courses must form a substantively coherent block of studies within the student's Plan of Work, but are not usually represented by a faculty member.
Applied Research (approximately 6 hours)
ELP 820: Special Problems in Education (3)
ELP 891: Problems of Research Design in Education (3)
Dissertation Research (12 credit hour minimum)
ELP 895: Doctoral Dissertation Research (1-9)
Advising
Students admitted to this program are assigned a tentative advisor to help them begin their work. After completing 9 hours of study each student should select a permanent advisor and a committee who agree to work with the student. Plans of study should be filed after 12 credit hours of study.
Admissions
Deadlines for the receipt of all application materials are April 1 (for Fall admission).
Requirements
1 . A bachelor's degree received from an accredited institution; however, a master's degree is preferred.
2. A 3.0 overall GPA in the most recent degree program completed.
3. Graduate Record Examination scores that are no more than 5 years old.
4. Evidence of strong analytical, conceptual, and communication skills as assessed in a prescribed written narrative and test scores.
5. Completion of an application for admission to the Graduate School
When completing the application, select Education in the Discipline section of the drop down menu. Within the Program section select:
Ph.D - Educational Research and Policy Analysis
6. Three letters of reference from persons who can attest to the applicants scholarly aptitude and motivation.
For additional information contact:
Educational Research & Policy Analysis Ph.D. Program
Campus Box 7801, 608 Poe Hall
NC State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7801
919.515.1766 tel
robert_serow@ncsu.edu
last updated 5/28/09
