A PhD from DU's Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS) prepares you to conduct innovative research that advances theory, informs policy, disrupts inequitable practices and accelerates improvement in education. The ELPS PhD is grounded in issues related to equity and social justice in education.
Here, you'll take coursework in research and leadership, designed to connect practice, research and theory. Our cohort format ensures you'll have a supportive network of fellow educational leaders. After two years of required coursework, PhD students continue with a year of specialized research in their area of interest.
ELPS prepares you to be a future-focused, critical thinking change agent. Join us to transform research, policy and practice to expand your career opportunities in school systems, school districts, universities, nonprofits or policy agencies.
Start Dates: Summer, Fall
Curriculum: 90 Credit Hours
Program Length: 4 Years
100% Percentage of graduates employed full-time within 6 months of graduation Morgridge Class of 2022
3 Research focus paths in the third year
100% Percentage of admitted students who receive some form of tuition assistance from the Morgridge College of Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
How our curriculum prepares you for your career in educational leadership
Advance your career at universities, nonprofits or policy agencies
If you're looking to become a trailblazing educational researcher, the ELPS PhD program is tailor-made for you. Here, you'll craft groundbreaking research that pushes the boundaries of theory, shapes policy decisions, challenges inequitable practices and drives progress in the education sector.
Use research for evidence-informed practice and policy leadership
You will design, conduct and use research for evidence-informed practice and policy leadership.
Become a leader with a future-focus on education
Required coursework in research and leadership is geared towards helping you forge crucial connections among practice, research and theory. In the ELPS program, we set ourselves apart from conventional doctoral programs in education because we firmly believe that the leaders of tomorrow should be forward-thinking, critically conscious, analytical and catalysts for change.
Choose a PhD route to pursue an area of interest or specialized research
After the initial two years of coursework, you will continue with another year in a cognate area of interest and specialized research methodology.
Expand your career within the field of education
ELPS doesn't just react to existing systems—it empowers you to shape the future as a leader. Here, you'll be equipped to revolutionize research, policy and practice in the dynamic and evolving landscape of education.
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Advance your career with a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Year 1 and 2 - Foundation Requirements - 55 Credit Hours
- RMS 4940 - Structural Foundations of Research in Social Sciences
- ADMN 4827 - Foundations of Educational History and Philosophy
- RMS 4910 - Introductory Statistics
- ADMN 4819 - Organization Theory and Behavior
- RMS 4941 - Introduction to Qualitative Research
- ADMN 4823 - Equitable and Socially Just Educational Policy Making in the United States
- ADMN 4900 - Advanced Inquiry and Analysis
- ADMN 4821 - Leading Design Improvement for Equity
- ADMN 4820 - Educational Program Evaluation
- ADMN 4835 - Leading Teaching and Learning
- ADMN 4812 - Perspectives in District Leadership
- ADMN 4844 - Critical Policy Analysis for Educational Systems
- ADMN 4836 - Improving Organizational Culture
- ADMN 4822 - Action Research and Systems Leadership
Third Year of Study - Student Designs With Advisor (see list below for potential options)
- RMS 4911 - Correlation and Regression
- RMS 4912 - Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
- RMS 4914 - Structural Equation Modeling
- RMS 4915 - Hierarchical Linear Modeling
Measurement Focus Recommended Options
- RMS 4921 - Psychometric Theory
- RMS 4922 - Item Response Theory
Qualitative Focus Recommended Options
- RMS 4945 - Community-Based Research
- RMS 4947 - Arts-Based Research
- RMS 4946 - Advanced Qualitative Research
Other Recommended Research Options
- RMS 4949 - Topics in Qualitative Research
- RMS 4939 - Topics in Quantitative Research Methods
- RMS 4919 - Topics in Statistics
- RMS 4932 - Meta-Analysis Social Science Research
- RMS 4951 - Mixed Method Research Design
Required Cognate Area Courses
- ADMN 4700 - Special Topics in K-12 Administration
- ADMN 5900 - Research Planning and Design
- ADMN 5993 - Doctoral Research Seminar
- ADMN 5995 - Independent Research
Optional Internship - Needed ONLY if seeking district-level (superintendency) administrative license.
- ADMN 4817 - Administrative Internship (1-6 credits any quarter)
Featured ELPS Faculty
Get Started on Your PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Build your career in education with a PhD from the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education