Degree Requirements

Master's Degree Requirements

The Department offers the Master of Arts degree which requires 30 credits beyond a Bachelor's level degree. Beyond the successful completion of coursework, students must also complete six hours of comprehensive examination and a seminar paper or thesis.

The Department currently offers the Master of Arts degree in conjunction with the faculty in Jewish Studies. Students interested in this cross-departmental option should discuss it with your faculty advisor.

All degree programs have expectations that the student demonstrate high standards of scholarship and the ability to engage in independent research. Students must either write and defend a thesis, or complete at least one seminar paper (non-thesis option). The College of Education requires that all master's candidates take the research course EDMS 645.

Time Limits: All requirements for the master's degree must be completed within a 5-year period from date of admission.

Transfer of Credit: Credit not to exceed six semester hours for graduate course work taken as an Advanced Special Student or at another regionally accredited institution may be applied to the master's degree. Transfer credits must be approved by the advisor, Department, College, and the Graduate School.

Departmental core courses provide students with a general orientation to the field of education policy studies and tools of scholarship required for graduate-level work. Master's level students are required to take either Education and Society (EDPL 600) or Introduction to Education Policy (EDPL 620). Beyond the core requirements, individual students are expected to take disciplinary, specialization, and research method courses. However, students and faculty advisors have greater freedom in selecting courses to meet degree requirements in each of these areas.

Discipline-based courses provide students with an opportunity to develop the theoretical knowledge and analytic skills associated with one or more disciplines or intellectual traditions. Discipline-based courses include studies in the social sciences and humanities, such as critical theory, cultural studies, economics, anthropology, philosophy or history, with a tradition of scholarship and research focused on educational policies and practices.

Specialization courses refer to courses that develop expertise in one of the Department's three focused areas of study: Curriculum Theory and Development, Socio-Cultural Foundations of Education, and Education Policy. The division between disciplinary and specialization courses is not to be interpreted rigidly. Programs of study include courses from all three areas of specialization. What is important is that each program of study be coherent, reflect students' professional aspirations, and be consistent with the Department's mission.

Research method courses are designed to build the critical intellectual tools needed to examine educational issues. All students are required to take coursework in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. However, the particular mix of research courses is tailored to reinforce the program of study and specialization selected by students. The Department offers advanced studies in phenomenology, oral history, ethnography, case study, program evaluation, and quantitative methods. Research courses outside of the Department and the College of Education may also be considered, particularly in relation to the disciplinary courses. Students are encouraged to take research courses early in their program of study so they are better equipped to begin the formulation of a seminar paper or dissertation topic.

Overview of Current Requirements for Master's Programs:

Please see your advisor for current program requirements.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. degree requires 90 credits beyond a Bachelor's level degree. In addition, the equivalent of 12 hours of comprehensive examination and a dissertation are required for the Ph.D. Your faculty advisor will help you develop a program of study that will help you fulfill your degree requirements - both coursework and examinations - consistent with University guidelines. The Doctoral program integrates theory, research, and practice, and students are expected to demonstrate high standards of scholarship and the ability to engage in independent research.

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.

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. Most of your master's degree credits are usually applicable.

Departmental core courses provide students with a general orientation to the field of education policy studies and tools of scholarship required for graduate-level work. The Department currently offers three core courses: Education and Society (EDPL 600); Introduction to Education Policy (EDPL 620); and Internship in Education (EDPL 889). Doctoral students are required to take all three courses. Beyond the core requirements, individual students are expected to take disciplinary, specialization, and research method courses. However, students and faculty advisors have greater freedom in selecting courses to meet degree requirements in each of these areas.

Discipline-based courses provide students with an opportunity to develop the theoretical knowledge and analytic skills associated with one or more disciplines or intellectual traditions. Discipline-based courses include studies in the social sciences and humanities, such as critical theory, cultural studies, economics, anthropology, philosophy or history, with a tradition of scholarship and research focused on educational policies and practices.

Specialization courses refer to courses that develop expertise in one of the Department's three focused areas of study: Curriculum Theory and Development, Socio-Cultural Foundations of Education, and Education Policy. The division between disciplinary and specialization courses is not to be interpreted rigidly. Programs of study include courses from all three areas of specialization. What is important is that each program of study be coherent, reflect students' professional aspirations, and be consistent with the Department's mission.

Research method courses are designed to build the critical intellectual tools needed to examine educational issues. All students are required to take coursework in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. However, the particular mix of research courses is tailored to reinforce the program of study and specialization selected by students. The Department offers advanced studies in phenomenology, oral history, ethnography, case study, program evaluation, and quantitative methods. Research courses outside of the Department and the College of Education may also be considered, particularly in relation to the disciplinary courses. Students are encouraged to take research courses early in their program of study so they are better equipped to begin the formulation of a seminar paper or dissertation topic.

Overview of Requirements for Doctoral Programs:

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