Education policy and leadership PhD
in Organizational Leadership, Policy and DevelopmentThis Education Policy and Leadership (EPL) doctoral program establishes foundational understandings of educational systems, leadership dynamics and the realities of power and politics in schools, as well as the role of research in educational innovation and improvement.
Benefits
Doctoral students in Education Policy and Leadership gain the capacity to:
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Conduct original research and provide expertise on how school systems work to serve all learners
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Examine multiple dimensions of PK-12 educational systems, including their cultural and historical contexts, as well as policies and mandates that shape practice.
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Build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
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Help school systems and policymakers discover ways in which to support healthy and sustainable districts, design programs that enhance learning and development throughout the student lifecycle, and promote a deep understanding and connection between the education we receive and the individuals we become.
Careers
- Professor in educational leadership
- Research associate or fellow
- Director of research, curriculum, teaching and learning, or staff development
- Philanthropic of non-profit executive leader or education program officer
- Superintendent or assistant, associate, area, or deputy superintendent
- Chief of schools
- District administrator
Coursework
Departmental core (16 credits)
Professional socialization seminar
- OLPD 8011—Doctoral Research Seminar I (1 cr) [Take Fall term of first year]
Research courses
- OLPD 8015—Inquiry Strategies in Educational and Organizational Research (3 cr) [Take Spring term of first year]
- Quantitative course (3 cr inside or outside of department; with approval of advisor)
- Qualitative course (3 cr inside or outside of department; with approval of advisor)
- Additional methods course (6 cr; with approval of advisor)
Program core (18 credits)
- OLPD 5001—Formal Organizations in Education (3 cr) [Take OLPD 5001 if offered – if not offered take alternatives OLPD 5011 or OLPD 5607]
OR OLPD 5011—Leading Organizational Change: Theory and Practice (3 cr)
OR OLPD 5607—Organization Development (3 cr) - OLPD 5346—Politics of Education (3 cr)
- OLPD 8020—Leadership: From Theory to Reflective Practice (3 cr)
- OLPD 8104—Innovative Systems Thinking in Education and Culture (3 cr)
- OLPD 8302—Educational Policy Perspectives (3 cr)
- Electives (3 cr minimum; with approval by advisor)
Additional coursework (12 credits minimum)
Minimum of 12 credits required. These credits can be used to meet the requirement that a minimum of 12 credits be taken outside the EPL track or for a minor. Courses not specifically listed should have advisor approval. Students who have successfully completed enrollment in the University of Minnesota's Principals Academy may use transfer credits to fulfill this requirement.
Thesis credits (24 credits)
All Ph.D. students are required to register for 24 semester thesis credits after completing the preliminary oral exam. The 24 credits must be taken over two or more terms.
- OLPD 8888—Thesis Credits: Doctoral
Total PhD credits required
46 credits of EPL coursework + 24 thesis credits = 70 total credits
How to apply
Admission Deadline
Application deadline: December 1 for a Fall semester start.
Fall semester start only.
Applicants may only apply to one OLPD track.
Applications are not complete until ALL required materials and fees have been received. If anything is missing, your application may not be considered. It is strongly recommended to apply at least two weeks before any submission deadlines.
Applications are processed by the Graduate School. A decision for admission notice will be emailed to you once your application is carefully reviewed by the department's admission committee and your transcripts and any credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) are authenticated by Graduate School officials.
Admission Requirements
Degree: Master's degree or equivalent
GPA: Undergraduate 3.0; Graduate 3.5
GRE: Applicants should not submit GRE scores, as they will not be considered in the review process.
TOEFL/IELTS Scores (Not required for U.S. students):
TOEFL: Internet based = 79 or above (21 writing/19 reading)
IELTS = 6.5
Readmission
If a graduate student in an OLPD program has become inactive they must follow the readmission procedures.
Whether you seek reactivation after accidentally being discontinued this term or want to return after a long absence these are the steps needed to re-apply.
- Complete the proper online readmission application.
If you have been away from the program less than five years use the Express Readmission Application and email it to olpd@umn.edu. All others must submit the Online Application for Readmission
- Once received, the department will forward your application to the appropriate admissions committee. Readmission decisions are normally determined by the program’s admissions committee, not any one individual faculty member.
Readmission is never guaranteed. Decisions for readmission are based on a review of previous progress toward degree completion, the proposed timeline for completion, the availability of faculty resources, and/or any additional application materials they may request from you. Individual programs/tracks reserve the right to readmit students under the current graduate program requirements, rules, and guidelines. They may also request an applicant to provide additional information prior to making a decision.
- Once the committee makes their recommendation, the department’s DGS will sign off on the decision and forward the result to the central Graduate Admissions Office for processing. Once processed, you will be notified of the decision.
Individual department programs and tracks reserve the right to require readmitted students to retake coursework if they deem it appropriate. Readmitted students are also required to abide by current time-to-degree policies as determined by the University, which may differ from the policy in place when they first started the degree program.
Individuals seeking readmission to the Ph.D., Ed.D., and M.A. program tracks in the former EDPA, WHRE, and WCFE majors can only reapply to the appropriate program track under the Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) major name.
Detailed application instructions
Click here to access the online application for admission.
Required fields in the application for admission are: Personal Information, Application Information, Educational Background, Languages, Awards & Activities, Employment/Residence Information, Financial Support, Applicant Statements #1 & #2, Recommendation Letters (limit 2), and Resume or CV. All other fields or application materials are optional, but will be taken into consideration if submitted.
Fees:
Review information about application fees here. The University of Minnesota Graduate School does not offer application fee waivers, reductions, or refunds.
Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts or academic records should be uploaded directly to the online application. Please do not mail in paper copies of your transcripts, there is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review. If you are admitted, the University will then request official copies of this material. Click here for more information about transcripts and credentials.
GRE scores are not only not required, they are not considered for applications to this program.
Statement #1, Personal Statement (required): Please provide a statement outlining your immediate educational and long-range career objectives in relation to your chosen field. If there is a particular faculty member with whom you wish to study, please give that person’s name and explain why you want to study with that person. You may also wish to include other information, such as any undergraduate research experience, internships, or other experiences you may have had to document your preparation for advanced study in your chosen field. If you are applying for the Ph.D.—CIDE/Leadership for
Intercultural and International Education (LIIE) or the Ph.D—EPL/Executive cohort programs, indicate this in your statement as well. [Please do not exceed two pages.]
Statement #2, Diversity Statement (required): Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the University of Minnesota’s mission. Please write a statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to your graduate program and to the education of fellow students at the University of Minnesota. You may wish to include examples that address your contribution to the diversity of the student body and illustrate your motivation to succeed by setting high standards for accomplishing intellectual and other goals, overcoming obstacles to achievement, and/or helping others to gain access to the resources necessary for success. [Please do not exceed one page.]
Statement #3: Extenuating Circumstances (optional): If your grades and/or test scores are not strong, and you would like to provide an explanation, please do so. [Limit 1200 characters.]
Two letters of recommendation (required). The strongest recommendations typically come from current or former professors who can assess your potential for graduate work. Other recommenders, such as employers, are also acceptable.
English Language Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) Click here for more information about TOEFL Scores.
Common Ground Consortium Fellowship: If you wish to be considered for a Common Ground Consortium fellowship for African-American students indicate this by uploading your statement in the "Program Supplementary Information -Upload #1" section. The statement should briefly address the following: Given that the UMN is a public land grant institution, it is imperative that CGC scholars can both benefit personally from their membership in the program as well as further the university’s founding mission to contribute to scholarship that benefits the local and greater communities. Please describe how your participation as a CGC scholar would do the following: (a) enhance your graduate student experience, (b) prepare you for your chosen career, and (c) benefit the public.
Questions?
We’re here to help. Simply complete this form and a member of our department will be in touch.