• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education Policy with five available specializations.
  
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Education Leadership and Policy with a specialization in Organizational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Both programs integrate theory, research, and practice, and students in both programs are expected to demonstrate high standards of scholarship and the ability to engage in independent research. However, the Ph.D. program is more theory oriented while the Ed.D. program emphasizes the preparation of professional leaders.

Time Limits: All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within a nine (9) year period from date of admission. In addition, the maximum time allowed between admission and advancement to candidacy is five (5) years; the maximum time allowed between advancement to candidacy and conferring of the degree is four (4) years.

Transfer of Credit: Previous work taken at other institutions may be used to satisfy certain degree requirements if it is determined acceptable and applicable by the Department.

Credit by Examination and Work Experience: The Department does not allow credit-by-examination or work experience to meet any of its requirements.

Examinations: All doctoral degree students in the Department must take a twelve-hour written comprehensive examination. Doctoral students in Curriculum Theory and Development, and in Higher Education, must also take a preliminary examination.

Internship: All doctoral students must complete an internship as part of their program of study. Three types are possible: professional practice, research, or college teaching.

Research Requirement: All Ph.D. students are required to write a dissertation. Ed.D. students write a doctoral research study or dissertation. The Ph.D. dissertation is to be an original research study that adds to the knowledge in the student's area of specialization. The Ed.D. doctoral research study or dissertation may be the development or application of theory to a field problem or situation (for more details, see the Department document, Ed.D. in Education Leadership and Policy Studies: Guidelines for Doctoral Research Study or Dissertation).

Certification: Graduate study requirements that lead to Maryland State Department of Education (MDSE) superintendency certification can be met through the Ed.D. in Education Leadership and Policy Studies.