PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis - Educational Policy Analysis and Evaluation in Madison United States | University of Wisconsin-Madison

The ELPA (Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis) Department focuses on educational policy research and analysis, aiming to enhance student success through well-designed policy creation, execution, and assessment. Students gain expertise in research methodologies (both quantitative and qualitative) while learning to perform advanced policy analysis within the framework of the U.S. education governance system. The program prepares graduates to address the complex challenges faced by educational leaders across K-12 schools, universities, community colleges, and adult learning environments. Alumni hold positions as university faculty, research specialists, nonprofit policy analysts, higher education administrators (including one university president), and government policy advisors at state and federal levels.

Our department would be ideal if you seek specialized training in educational leadership and policy (rather than general social policy) with career aspirations in U.S. school systems or education policy. For those preferring theoretical policy studies with interdisciplinary approaches and global perspectives, we'd suggest exploring Educational Policy Studies instead.