Our doctoral degree program challenges the conventional wisdom that K-12 and postsecondary education are different worlds by bringing together scholars and students from all levels of education to work and study together. Working from the premise that all people can learn at high levels, the program explores the systemic barriers that prevent so many individuals from achieving their fullest potential.
The Ph.D. in Educational Leadership program is designed for candidates who seek to pursue careers in institutional assessment, policy analysis, institutional leadership, higher education administration, student affairs, or the professoriate. Doctoral students in this program receive a broad foundation in the study of educational leadership and policy development through a wide range of course offerings focused on both K-12 leadership and higher education.
The Ph.D. program only admits students to its fall cohort. View our PDF application packet to review all the information you need to apply.
Submit by March 1
Classes start in mid-late August
Candidates in the Ph.D. program will be part of a cohort throughout their required coursework, leading to the dissertation. Research has demonstrated that cohort models can be very effective in fostering deep learning and increasing the likelihood of students moving towards program completion. Because most of the students in the program work full-time, they are required to take only six graduate credit hours per semester. However, students who wish to complete the program as a full time can opt to take additional elective courses.
Our PDF application provides all the information you need to apply to our Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Submit all application materials and any questions about the program to ELPSadvising@uta.edu. Open the link below to get started.
Deadline: March 1, 2023
*This program accepts applicants for the Fall cohort only.
| EDAD 6304 | K-16 Quantitative Research Design & Methodology | 3 |
| EDAD 6310 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| EDAD 6315 | Advanced Statistical Methods | 3 |
| EDAD 6318 | Advanced Qualitative Methods | 3 |
| EDAD 6308 | Qualitative Research Design & Methodology | 3 |
| EDAD 6301 | Introduction to K-16 Doctoral Studies | 3 |
| EDAD 6325 | K-16 Philosophy & History Policy Research | 3 |
| EDAD 6330 | K-16 Policy & Law Analysis Research | 3 |
| EDAD 6342 | K-16 Organizational & Leadership Theory Research | 3 |
| EDAD 6343 | History, Social & Cultural Contexts of Education | 3 |
| EDAD 6391 | Independent Research |
3 |
| EDAD 6392 | Selected Topics K-16 Educational Policy Research | 3 |
| EDAD 6399 | Dissertation |
3 |
| EDAD 6699 | Dissertation | 6 |
| EDAD 7399 | Doctoral Degree Completion |
3 |
Tuition, Scholarships & More
We offer competitive scholarships, grants, and other funding opportunities to help UTA College of Education students pay for their degree. Use the links below to learn more and apply.
View doctoral applications, forms and handbooks for this program.
Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Research Interests: Employee misconduct, turnover, leader development, policy implementation/analysis, education law
Bio: Dr. Catherine Robert is an Assistant Professor in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Department and Co-Director of the Center for Educational Research, Policy, and Practice. She received her B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Houston, her M.Ed. from Schreiner University, and her Ed.D. from The University of Texas at San Antonio. She specializes in human resource topics including employee misconduct, employee turnover, and policy implementation. Prior to completing doctoral work, Dr. Robert served as a teacher, analyst, and administrator at campus, district, and regional levels, most recently as executive director of human resources in a school district.
Associate Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Research Interests: College access, student transition & success, STEM education
Bio: Dr. Yi Leaf Zhang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington. Zhang has developed a strong interest in studying college access and success, especially in the community college context. Her research focuses on community colleges as a gateway to STEM education, transfer students’ educational pathways, and international education in four-year and two-year institutions. Zhang is currently an editorial board member of the Community College Journal of Research and Practice (CCJRP) and an associate editor of the Journal of International Students (JIS).
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- Administrators in institutions of higher education
- Administrators and superintendents in K-12 education
- Professors of educational leadership
