Our Program

The Ph.D. degree in Learning, Leadership, and Education Policy concentration in Leadership and Education Policy prepares students to be scholars, policymakers, and educational thought leaders. Graduates of this program enter positions in higher education, think tanks, policy centers, and non-profits. We aim to prepare students to identify, analyze, and respond to critical questions in education today. In doing so, student take a range of course both within the concentration and broader LLEP program. These courses expose students to diverse ways of investigating, analyzing, and acting on key problems. Graduates are prepared not only to perform high-quality, relevant research, but also serve as educational leaders in Connecticut and beyond.

  • 18 credit hours of core courses in Learning, Leadership, and Education Policy
  • 12 credits hours of Leadership and Education Policy core courses
  • At least 12 credit hours of research
  • 6 elective credit hours
  • 15 credit hours of Dissertation Research, completion of a comprehensive examination, and successful dissertation defense

PH.D. PLAN OF STUDY

Learning, Leadership, and Education Policy Courses  (18 credits)

  • EDLR 6313 – Educational Policy and Politics
  • EDLR 5204 – Organizational Learning
  • EDLR 5201 – Influences on Adult Learning
  • EDLR 6467 – Social Justice Leadership, Equity, and Change
  • EDLR 6050 – Proposal/Prospectus Development I
  • EDLR 6051 – Proposal/Prospectus Development II

 

Leadership and Education Policy Courses (12 credits):

  • EDLR 5355 — Seminar in Change and Innovation in Education
  • EDLR 6314 — Legal Issues in Organizational Management
  • EDLR 6322 — Economics of Education and School Finance
  • EDLR 6323 — Seminar in the History of K-12 Education Reforms, 1890-Present

 

Research Methods and Statistics (minimum 12 credits)

 

Elective Courses (minimum 6 credits)

 

Graduate School Required Doctoral Dissertation Research credits (15 credits minimum)

  • GRAD 6950 — Doctoral Dissertation Research

In addition, students must pass a General Examination to progress to doctoral candidacy. A written dissertation proposal must be orally defended prior to beginning the dissertation phase.