The Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation offers programs leading to degrees in the Master of Science (M.S.) in Higher Education, M.S. in Social and Philosophical Studies in Education, M.S. in Research Methods in Education, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Studies in Higher Education, and the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Policy Studies, Measurement, and Evaluation. The department also participates in the College of Education’s Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Education Sciences degree program with the Philosophical and Cultural Inquiry, Educational Evaluation and Policy, and Quantitative and Psychometric Methods strands. Additionally, the department offers graduate certificates in Research Methods in Education and International Education. The department has periodically offered an Ed.D. Cohort program in collaboration with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
The Master of Science in Higher Education (HIED) is a degree program with options of focus in Higher Education Policy and Student Services. The program serves those contemplating careers in higher education or already working in a college or university, as well as those interested in pursuing the study of higher education at the doctoral level.
CV Upload Required | Optional |
CV Instructions | Please include work history, any certifications/licensures, publications and research, and hobbies or special interests. |
Personal Statement Upload Required | Yes |
Personal Statement Instructions | We would like to know why you want to study in our department. What brings you, autobiographically to this point in your life? What aspects of our program interest you? What questions, issues, or areas of inquiry would you like to explore while taking our classes? And what do you plan to do with your degree upon completion? You may wish to browse our list of courses and read our faculty bio statements found on the department website in order to prepare your response. We are interested in how well you articulate your ideas as well as your ambitions. Your statement should be approximately 500 words. |
Writing Sample Upload Required | No |
Writing Sample Instructions | N/A |
Assistantship App Available* | No |
Assistantship App URL* | N/A |
Additional Docs Instructions | N/A |
GRE or GMAT | GRE |
GRE Subject Test | N/A |
Spring App Deadline | October 1 |
Summer App Deadline | January 15 |
Fall App Deadline | January 15 |
Number of Recommendations | 2 Letters of Recommendation. |
*Optional - you may upload a blank document, if you do not intend to apply for assistance.
Program requirements may change at any time. Contact the DGS of your intended program to confirm requirements.
The Master of Science in Social and Philosophical Studies in Education (SPSE) works well as a foundation for doctoral study. When focused with an approved “topical major,” the degree may also serve a variety of career and academic purposes. Students following this degree program may engage in the study of the history, sociology, philosophy, and comparative international analyses of education.
CV Upload Required | Optional |
CV Instructions | Please include work history, any certifications/licensures, publications and research, and hobbies or special interests. |
Personal Statement Upload Required | Yes |
Personal Statement Instructions | We would like to know why you want to study in our department. What brings you, autobiographically to this point in your life? What aspects of our program interest you? What questions, issues, or areas of inquiry would you like to explore while taking our classes? And what do you plan to do with your degree upon completion? You may wish to browse our list of courses and read our faculty bio statements found on the department website in order to prepare your response. We are interested in how well you articulate your ideas as well as your ambitions. Your statement should be approximately 500 words. |
Writing Sample Upload Required | No |
Writing Sample Instructions | N/A |
Assistantship App Available* | No |
Assistantship App URL* | N/A |
Additional Docs Instructions | N/A |
GRE or GMAT | GRE |
GRE Subject Test | N/A |
Spring App Deadline | October 1 |
Summer App Deadline | January 15 |
Fall App Deadline | January 15 |
Number of Recommendations | 2 Letters of Recommendation. |
*Optional - you may upload a blank document, if you do not intend to apply for assistance.
Program requirements may change at any time. Contact the DGS of your intended program to confirm requirements.
The Master of Science in Research Methods in Education (RMinE) prepares students for careers in settings such as academic institutions, testing organizations, school districts, and state and federal agencies. It is designed to provide a foundation in basic research methods within a problem-of-practice framework while allowing students a focused area of emphasis on Quantitative Methods, Evaluation, or Research Design. RMinE students have the option to complete the entirety of their coursework online.
CV Upload Required | Optional |
CV Instructions | Please include work history, any certifications/licensures, publications and research, and hobbies or special interests. |
Personal Statement Upload Required | Yes |
Personal Statement Instructions | We would like to know why you want to study in our department. What brings you, autobiographically to this point in your life? What aspects of our program interest you? What questions, issues, or areas of inquiry would you like to explore while taking our classes? And what do you plan to do with your degree upon completion? You may wish to browse our list of courses and read our faculty bio statements found on the department website in order to prepare your response. We are interested in how well you articulate your ideas as well as your ambitions. Your statement should be approximately 500 words. |
Writing Sample Upload Required | No |
Writing Sample Instructions | N/A |
Assistantship App Available* | No |
Assistantship App URL* | N/A |
Additional Docs Instructions | N/A |
GRE or GMAT | GRE |
GRE Subject Test | N/A |
Spring App Deadline | October 1 |
Summer App Deadline | January 15 |
Fall App Deadline | January 15 |
Number of Recommendations | 2 Letters of Recommendation. |
*Optional - you may upload a blank document, if you do not intend to apply for assistance.
Program requirements may change at any time. Contact the DGS of your intended program to confirm requirements.
The Ed.D. program in Educational Policy Studies, Measurement, and Evaluation (EPME) provides advanced study for those who seek careers in the administration or evaluation of educational programs in schools, colleges, or other institutional settings. Ed.D. candidates may pursue a variety of research interests including but not limited to institutional research and assessment, educational measurement and evaluation, P-12 educational policy issues, post-secondary education, comparative education, and community/continuing education issues.
CV Upload Required | Optional |
CV Instructions | Please include work history, any certifications/licensures, publications and research, and hobbies or special interests. |
Personal Statement Upload Required | Yes |
Personal Statement Instructions | We would like to know why you want to study in our department. What brings you, autobiographically to this point in your life? What aspects of our program interest you? What questions, issues, or areas of inquiry would you like to explore while taking our classes? And what do you plan to do with your degree upon completion? You may wish to browse our list of courses and read our faculty bio statements found on the department website in order to prepare your response. We are interested in how well you articulate your ideas as well as your ambitions. Your statement should be approximately 500 words. |
Writing Sample Upload Required | No |
Writing Sample Instructions | N/A |
Assistantship App Available* | No |
Assistantship App URL* | N/A |
Additional Docs Instructions | N/A |
GRE or GMAT | GRE |
GRE Subject Test | N/A |
Spring App Deadline | October 1 |
Summer App Deadline | January 15 |
Fall App Deadline | January 15 |
Number of Recommendations | 2 Letters of Recommendation. |
*Optional - you may upload a blank document, if you do not intend to apply for assistance.
Program requirements may change at any time. Contact the DGS of your intended program to confirm requirements.
**description coming soon**
CV Upload Required | Optional |
CV Instructions | Please include work history, any certifications/licensures, publications and research, and hobbies or special interests. |
Personal Statement Upload Required | Yes |
Personal Statement Instructions | A personal/professional statement is very important to your application. Doctoral candidates should also outline goals for research in the doctoral program. The admissions committee is interested in determining how well your goals “fit” with what our department can offer. These statements should be less than 500 words. |
Writing Sample Upload Required | Yes |
Writing Sample Instructions | Your writing sample helps us assess whether your writing skills are up to the challenge of graduate coursework in our department. We like to see samples that show your ability to analyze a problem, develop a thesis, and work with primary and/or secondary sources. Thus an academic paper or article is often the best choice, but some professional writing would also be acceptable if it includes evidence of these critical writing skills. An alternative essay is also possible if you do not have a writing sample you feel represents your current skills. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies if you would like to write an essay specifically for your application. |
Assistantship App Available* | No |
Assistantship App URL* | N/A |
Additional Docs Instructions | N/A |
GRE or GMAT | GRE |
GRE Subject Test | Required |
Spring App Deadline | October 1 |
Summer App Deadline | February 1 |
Fall App Deadline | February 1 |
Number of Recommendations | 4 Letters of Recommendation. |
Letters of Recommendation Instructions | Your recommendations help us determine the likelihood of success in graduate school and confirm your description of your goals for study. Thus your recommenders should know you well, and at least half of your letters should come from people who know your academic work (or at least your writing and analysis skills). If email is not an option, you may ask your recommenders to send written letters directly to the department via postal mail. |
*Optional - you may upload a blank document, if you do not intend to apply for assistance.
Program requirements may change at any time. Contact the DGS of your intended program to confirm requirements.
The Graduate Certificate in International Education prepares graduate students for careers in international education, including but not limited to education abroad, international student services, and placement in other international organizations which support the exchange of students in higher education. Through elective courses appropriate to student interests, students will develop a regional area of cultural expertise and participate in at least one professional vocational experience with an emphasis on developing skills in evaluation/assessment, management, and program development. The certificate curriculum combines 9 hours of core courses and 6 hours of elective coursework for a required total of 15 credit hours. Although the certificate does not require language coursework as part of the curriculum, participants must establish their language proficiency relative to their professional and regional concentration so that they are prepared to be effective and competitive in the field. A student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their certificate coursework in order to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in International Education. Award of the certificate requires formal admission to the certificate, as well as the approval of the course of study and certificate completion worksheets.
The Graduate Certificate in RMinE provides students with the ability to specialize in education research methods that can be applied to a host of disciplines, including social sciences, physical sciences, K-12 instruction/administration, and business. The certificate combines 12 hours of core courses and 3 hours of elective coursework for a required total of 15 credit hours. A student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their certificate coursework in order to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in RMinE. Award of the certificate requires formal admission to the certificate, as well as the approval of the course of study and certificate completion worksheets.
201C Gillis Building
859-257-4618
mrich6@uky.edu
College of Education
145A Taylor Education Building
Lexington KY 40506