Charlottesville,
VA,
United States
Type
Public
Degrees offered
Bachelor's Degree
PhD in Education - Educational Policy in Charlottesville United States | University of Virginia
University of Virginia
|
Charlottesville United States
Visit institution website
for more information
Qualification
Doctor of Philosophy
Languages
English
Delivery Mode
On-Campus
Tuition (2025)
USD
30,300
Attendance
Full-time
Full-time Duration
60 months
Education leaders across federal, state, and local governments are currently investigating approaches to enhance learning results for every student. Many of these approaches involve significant transformations in school structures, teaching staff composition, educator training methods, and accountability systems for student achievement. Regrettably, there's limited reliable data available to guide these crucial policy choices. This gap has created an urgent demand for rigorous experimental, quasi-experimental, and descriptive studies to address critical education policy matters. Keep informed about Education Policy developments by signing up for our seasonal newsletter.
The Education Policy program at UVA's School of Education and Human Development equips students with theoretical knowledge and methodological skills to investigate pressing education policy issues. The curriculum is built around four core elements:
Comprehensive training in causal inference methodologies
Foundational knowledge in social science disciplines
Insight into school operations and systems
Familiarity with current education policy frameworks and research
While coursework forms a vital part of student development, the program emphasizes close faculty mentorship. Students collaborate directly with professors on research initiatives analyzing how different education policies affect student performance. Graduates emerge ready for academic or research-oriented careers. Interested applicants can connect with our community through our recurring Internal Policy Labs during the academic year, where students and faculty share their work for valuable peer review.
Destination of Study
Subjects of Study
Language Requirements
English
IELTS 7.0
Qualification Requirements
English proficiency requirement:
Paper-based TOEFL: 600
Computer-Based TOEFL: 250
IELTS: 7.0
IBT TOEFL: at least 22 in writing, 22 in speaking, 23 in reading, and 23 in listening for a total score of 90.
Admission requirements that apply specifically to this program are listed below
Ensuring Fit: Our Ph.D. in Education Policy program seeks students whose research interests are well-aligned with one or more of our faculty members. We strongly suggest applicants review faculty member's profiles, to learn more about faculty members areas of expertise and current research projects. When submitting their application materials and personal statements, applicants are encouraged to specifically highlight why they believe the Education Policy program at UVA may be a good fit for them, and explicitly discuss faculty members with whom they would be interested in collaborating. Prospective students are welcome to reach out to individual faculty members via email to ask questions about the program, research interests, etc.
Applicants should demonstrate a background and interest in quantitative approaches to educational policy, as evidenced, for example, by appropriate social science undergraduate or master's degrees or prior work experience.
A master's degree is not a prerequisite for admission.
In addition to the Ph.D., the School of Education and Human Development offers a dual Ph.D. and Master's of Public Policy in conjunction with the Frank Batten School of Public Policy. We strongly encourage applicants to apply to the dual degree program.
The faculty is especially interested in considering applications from persons of traditionally underrepresented groups in higher education.
Please submit a resume as part of the online application.
Please submit a statement of professional goals as part of the online application. Identify your specific interests in education policy, your rationale for applying to this program, and your long-term goals.
Goal/Professional StatementThis is your opportunity to describe your understanding of and interest in the program area to which you are applying, what you hope to learn during the program, and how it will help you achieve your professional goals. The prompt on the application provides additional information you might include in your statement.
Letters of RecommendationMost programs will require you to submit two letters of recommendation as part of the online application. These should be solicited through your online application. In the event that a program requires more than two letters, the program page will list how many additional letters of recommendation you will need, along with additional guidelines for selecting a recommender. You can submit your application before the letters are received.
TranscriptsUpload copies of transcripts showing college coursework and degrees completed to date. Unofficial copies are acceptable. Official transcripts are required only when you accept an offer of admission. If you are submitting an electronic transcript, please email it directly to [email protected]. A transcript must be provided for each school listed on your application. Transcripts that are not stated in English must be accompanied by a translation into English. Your application will be considered incomplete until all transcripts are received.
We will accept international transcript evaluations from members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). While we do not endorse any specific providers, we commonly receive evaluations from Educational Credentials Evaluators, International Academic Credential Evaluators, Josef Silny and Associates, or World Education Services. Course-by-course evaluations are preferred.
Paper-based TOEFL: 600
Computer-Based TOEFL: 250
IELTS: 7.0
IBT TOEFL: at least 22 in writing, 22 in speaking, 23 in reading, and 23 in listening for a total score of 90.
Admission requirements that apply specifically to this program are listed below
Ensuring Fit: Our Ph.D. in Education Policy program seeks students whose research interests are well-aligned with one or more of our faculty members. We strongly suggest applicants review faculty member's profiles, to learn more about faculty members areas of expertise and current research projects. When submitting their application materials and personal statements, applicants are encouraged to specifically highlight why they believe the Education Policy program at UVA may be a good fit for them, and explicitly discuss faculty members with whom they would be interested in collaborating. Prospective students are welcome to reach out to individual faculty members via email to ask questions about the program, research interests, etc.
Applicants should demonstrate a background and interest in quantitative approaches to educational policy, as evidenced, for example, by appropriate social science undergraduate or master's degrees or prior work experience.
A master's degree is not a prerequisite for admission.
In addition to the Ph.D., the School of Education and Human Development offers a dual Ph.D. and Master's of Public Policy in conjunction with the Frank Batten School of Public Policy. We strongly encourage applicants to apply to the dual degree program.
The faculty is especially interested in considering applications from persons of traditionally underrepresented groups in higher education.
Please submit a resume as part of the online application.
Please submit a statement of professional goals as part of the online application. Identify your specific interests in education policy, your rationale for applying to this program, and your long-term goals.
Goal/Professional StatementThis is your opportunity to describe your understanding of and interest in the program area to which you are applying, what you hope to learn during the program, and how it will help you achieve your professional goals. The prompt on the application provides additional information you might include in your statement.
Letters of RecommendationMost programs will require you to submit two letters of recommendation as part of the online application. These should be solicited through your online application. In the event that a program requires more than two letters, the program page will list how many additional letters of recommendation you will need, along with additional guidelines for selecting a recommender. You can submit your application before the letters are received.
TranscriptsUpload copies of transcripts showing college coursework and degrees completed to date. Unofficial copies are acceptable. Official transcripts are required only when you accept an offer of admission. If you are submitting an electronic transcript, please email it directly to [email protected]. A transcript must be provided for each school listed on your application. Transcripts that are not stated in English must be accompanied by a translation into English. Your application will be considered incomplete until all transcripts are received.
We will accept international transcript evaluations from members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). While we do not endorse any specific providers, we commonly receive evaluations from Educational Credentials Evaluators, International Academic Credential Evaluators, Josef Silny and Associates, or World Education Services. Course-by-course evaluations are preferred.
Tuition
USD
30,300