Educational Policy, Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies
The doctoral program in Educational Policy gives you opportunities to work with faculty in ongoing research while you develop your own program of inquiry. We introduce you to a broad range of theoretical perspectives, and encourage you to develop expertise in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods of research.
You learn to study how policy develops, how political narratives differ from implemented programs, how policies produce (or reduce) inequality and injustice, who profits or suffers from them, how oppressed groups experience them, and how policy is resisted. Students have studied education policy in the US and overseas (e.g., Korea, Pakistan), tracked how policies move over local, national, and international levels, and traced their evolution over time.
Research Areas
The aim of Educational Policy is to foster originality and relevance in the study of a fast-changing global educational landscape. Our students study a range of topics affecting primary schools to universities, including:
Teacher pay policy
International organizations in policy mobilities
U.S. rural education
Charter schools
Virtual education
Student testimonials
During my time as a graduate student in Ohio State's program, I developed expertise as a mixed-methods researcher to tackle educational challenges.
Under the guidance of esteemed faculty, especially my advisor Dr. Karen Beard, I deepened my understanding of education policy and administration.
This enabled me to conduct meaningful dissertation research on Black girls and school discipline. My community engagement further enriched my work, providing real-world applications. These experiences were crucial in shaping my current role as a research associate at Research for Action, where I continue to apply my research skills.
Career Paths
Students are prepared to work in a range of settings in educational policy spaces including legislative service centers, departments of education, K-12 school systems or education service centers. Others seeks employment at think tanks such as the Learning Policy Institute and Research for Change.
Degree Requirements
Prerequisites
Master's degree
Minimum Program hours
60 post-Master’s degree
Deadline to apply
December 1
Program start
Autumn Semester
Additional Application Requirements
Academic Writing Sample
Special Statement of Intent
- What motivates you to pursue a degree in Educational Policy from OSU?
- How will a degree in Educational Policy support your professional goals or career aspirations?
- What areas of research in Educational Policy are you most interested in exploring? How might your research inform important local, national, and/or international policy conversations related to racial and gender equity, democratic education, education and power, global policy networks, decolonial approaches to education, or other areas of critical inquiry in educational policy?
Apply to Ohio State
Application checklist