PhD in Education - Education Policy and Program Evaluation in Cambridge United States | Harvard University

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education integrates cutting-edge developments across social sciences, sciences, arts, and humanities with specialized knowledge in educational research, policy, and practice. This program prepares graduates for academic, research, policy-making, and leadership roles aimed at enhancing educational systems globally. PhD candidates specialize in one of three focus areas: Culture, Institutions and Society; Education Policy and Program Evaluation; or Human Development, Learning and Teaching. The curriculum and program milestones are designed to achieve four key objectives: developing comprehensive knowledge of education, providing disciplinary training, ensuring rigorous methodological preparation, and fostering innovative research with transformative potential in education.

Those pursuing the Education Policy and Program Evaluation (EPPE) specialization conduct research on educational policy formulation, implementation, and assessment across early childhood, K-12, and higher education sectors, both domestically and internationally. Their work may involve policy analysis, program evaluation, measurement studies, or investigations into policy development concerning educational access, teacher quality, school funding, accountability systems, educational alternatives, financial assistance programs, and collegiate success metrics. This specialization draws upon theoretical frameworks and methodologies from economics, political science, public administration, and sociology, complemented by insights from history, philosophy, and statistical analysis. While research may overlap with the Culture, Institutions and Society specialization in some institutional contexts, EPPE work maintains stronger connections to public policy initiatives, educational programs, and systemic reforms.