Program Information
Students can specialize in either K12 or Higher Education. Coursework includes topics in educational leadership, organizations, educational policy, or critical studies in education.
Independent research in an area chosen by the student will be the basis of the final dissertation. Assistantships are available to full-time students (20 hours a week and receive a stipend along with a full tuition waiver.)
For most studies, the following information should be explained in separate sections of your proposal document:
Problem Statement and Research Questions
What is the problem to be investigated? In other words, what is the purpose of the study? What are the specific research questions the study will seek to answer?
Conceptual Framework & Related Literature
What theories, concepts, and research provide the best framework to explain or study the problem? Offer conceptual definitions of study variables where appropriate.
Significance
Why is the problem important? How will the proposed study fill an important need for knowledge or chart a new area for investigation?
Methods
Include methodological considerations such as:
- sample or data sources
- data collection procedures
- instrumentation or measurement tools and issues, including operational definitions of variables where appropriate
- study design (including checks on possible bias or threats to study validity)
- data analysis
Assumptions and Limitations
What are the assumptions and expected limitations of the study?
Implications
What might be the implications of this study for future scholarship and educational practice?
How have your doctoral course work, assistantship and/or internship, and previous experience prepared you to do this scholarly work?
Timeline
What is the expected timeline for completing your study?
Pre-Defense to Publication, A Checklist for Graduate Students
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At a Glance
Program Emphasis
K12 and Higher Education
Credit Hours
68
Application Deadline
12/01
Application Fee
$55-$65
Degree Conferred
Ph.D.
Admissions
Application Fee
For domestic applicants the application fee is $55, for international applicants, the fee is $65. You can pay your fee online through the Slate application system.
Transcripts
All applicants should upload an unofficial copy of their academic transcripts in the online application. Current students or graduates of the University of Utah will not be required to submit their U of U transcripts. If you are admitted to our program, you will be required to provide an official copy of your transcripts, sent directly from your previous school to the address below:
The University of Utah
201 S 1460 E
Room 250 S SSB
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Under the Program Information section on the application, first choose your program of interest, Educational Leadership & Policy Ph.D.. Then choose your area of emphasis – either Higher Education or K12.
A Master's Degree is required with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Please upload the following under the appropriate sections on the Slate application:
1. Resume/CV
Please submit your CV/resume. It should include academic training/educational history, teaching and research experience, awards and distinctions, conference presentations, and publications.
2. Three (3) recommendation letters
As part of your application, please submit three letters of recommendation. We ask that you seek individuals who can speak to your academic, professional, and personal qualifications for graduate study. We strongly encourage you to select recommenders who are familiar who can speak to your academic and/or professional preparation, communication skills, work ethic and initiative, interpersonal and collaborative abilities, and your potential for success in graduate study.
3. Writing Sample Prompt
Please submit an original piece of academic writing on a topic of interest. This submission should be developed specifically for this graduate application. This writing sample may take the form of a literature-based essay, conceptual analysis, or theoretical exploration of a topic relevant to your academic or professional interests. The topic does not need to match your intended area of study. Also, you are not expected to conduct original empirical research for this submission. Your writing sample should demonstrate your ability to critically evaluate relevant research, apply analytical reasoning, synthesize ideas, and construct a clear and compelling academic argument that reflects your capacity for graduate-level thinking and academic writing. Please Include a brief abstract (1–2 paragraphs) introducing the topic, describing its relevance to your academic development, and explaining how it demonstrates your readiness for graduate study. Your writing sample should be a minimum of 5, and not more than 7, double-spaced pages (excluding references).
4. Personal Statement
Your personal statement is a required component of your application. Please be sure that it is no more than three (3) double-spaced pages and make sure that it includes all of the following sections: a) an overview of your academic and professional background, b) your motivations for pursuing graduate work including any specific questions, problems, or areas of study are you most interested in exploring, c) how your research interests align with faculty in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Utah, and d) how this degree will help your future professional and scholarly goals.
All application materials are provided on or prior to the application deadline of December 1. Applications that are incomplete at the deadline will not be considered.
If you have questions or concerns at any time please contact our Graduate Student Coordinator, Jason Newnum, jason.newnum@utah.edu.
Degrees are awarded when students have completed the Graduate School Thesis Editor's requirements for release to the Registrar.