Educational Policy Studies
Associate Head & Coordinator of Graduate Programs: Laurence Parker
360 Education Building
1310 South Sixth Street
Champaign, IL 61820-6990
Phone: (217) 333-2446
Fax: (217) 244-7064
E-mail: eps@ed.uiuc.edu
Major: Educational Policy Studies
Degrees Offered: Ed.M., M.A., Ph.D.
Graduate Concentration: African American Studies (M.A., Ph.D.)
Online Program Major: Educational Policy Studies
Degree Offered: Ed.M.
Medical Scholars Program: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Policy Studies and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) through the Medical Scholars Program
Graduate Degree Programs
The Department of Educational Policy Studies offers graduate degrees, which have an emphasis for preparing scholars, teachers, and educational policy analysts. In addition, students can receive a master's and/or doctorate degree that has an emphasis on global studies. Instruction in Education Policy Studies provides a basis for informed analysis and evaluation of educational theory, practice, and policy within the intellectual and empirical contexts of history, philosophy, and the social sciences.
The department is organized into four divisions: (1) History of Education, (2) Philosophy of Education, (3) Social & Cultural Studies, and (4) Global Studies. In addition, some department faculty focus on educational policy analysis and work in educational aesthetics and social foundations, which draw upon the resources of the entire Department of Educational Policy Studies and also of other departments in the College of Education and the University. Students in Educational Policy Studies are trained for careers in academic institutions and in educational agencies at state, federal, and international levels.
Admission
While it is useful for students to have had preparation in the humanities or social sciences, students are accepted from a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate backgrounds. The quality of previous academic work is more important than its particular emphasis.
Applicants must submit a complete application for admission including three letters of reference and official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work. Students may be considered for admission if they are (1) graduates of an institution awarding a baccalaureate or equivalent degree comparable to that of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for the master's programs, or hold a master's degree in education or a related field from an institution comparable to Illinois; (2) adequately prepared for advanced study as demonstrated by previous experience, personal qualifications, and scholastic records; and (3) recommended by the proposed department of study. In general, a 3.0 grade point average (A = 4.0) for the last 60 hours of the undergraduate program and for any previous graduate work is a minimum requirement for admission. The Graduate College admission requirements apply.
No test scores are required from applicants for Educational Policy Studies. A minimum paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 590 (243 on the computer-based test) is required.
Degree Requirements
*For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Web site, the College of Education Graduate Programs Handbook, and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Education (Ed.M.), Educational Policy Studies
| Required Courses: | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Psychological Foundation Courses EPSY 400, 401, 402, or 485: 2 hours AND EPSY 404, 405, 406, or 430: 2 hours OR EPSY 407 or 408: 4 hours |
4 |
| Social Foundation Courses EPS 400, 402, 403, 404, 420, 421, 423, 424, or 426 |
2 |
| Philosophical Foundation Courses EPS 401, 410, 411, 412, 413, or 414 |
2 |
| EPS 500 | 4 |
| Elective Hours: 400/500-Level Hours Required: 12 hours (Independent Study included) 500-Level Hours Required in Education: 8 hours |
20 |
| Research/Project/Independent Study Hours (min/max applied toward degree): | 0-8 |
| Total Hours (minimum) | 32 |
| Other Requirements:* | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
Master of Arts (M.A.), Educational Policy Studies
| Required Courses: | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Psychological Foundation Courses EPSY 400, 401, 402, or 485: 2 hours AND EPSY 404, 405, 406, or 430: 2 hours OR EPSY 407 or 408: 4 hours |
4 |
| Social Foundation Courses EPS 400, 402, 403, 404, 420, 421, 423, 424, or 426 |
2 |
| Philosophical Foundation Courses EPS 401, 410, 411, 412, 413, or 414 |
2 |
| EPS 500 | 4 |
| Elective Hours: 400/500-Level Hours Required: 12 hours (Independent Study and Thesis Hours included) 500-Level Hours Required in Education: 8 hours |
20 |
| Research/Project/Independent Study Hours (min/max applied toward degree): | 0-8 |
| Thesis Hours Required– EPS 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 2-8 |
| Total Hours (minimum) | 32 |
| Other Requirements:* | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Educational Policy Studies
| Required Courses: | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Competence in one of four research specialization areas. These courses are required, but hours do not count toward the degree. (The number of hours needed varies.) | |
| EPS 500 (new students only) | 4 |
| Elective Hours: Minimum Hours Required in Education: 32 hours General Coursework Required: 28 hours |
60 |
| Research/Project/Independent Study Hours (min/max applied toward degree): | 0-12 |
| Thesis Hours Required – EPS 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 4-32 |
| Total Hours (minimum) | 64 |
| Other Requirements:* Minimum GPA: Masters Degree Is Not Required for Admission to PhD but is required for completion Residency: 2 consecutive full-time (12 hours) semesters of study on campus Early Research Requirement Qualifying Exams Required Human Subjects approval Preliminary Exam Required Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required Dissertation Deposit Required |
3.0 |
Online Programs
The online Global Studies program examines the changing forms of global interconnectivity and interdependence and their implications for thinking about and researching education policy and governance and its connection to theories of globalization, postcolonialty, and the politics of representation and culture. The program also addresses education and the emerging role of international and non-government organizations in shaping the context of educational policy in a globalized world.
Diversity and Equity Issues in Education is an interdisciplinary college-wide online program is designed to expose students to the historical and contemporary social issues related to diversity, equity and learning in education. The classes emphasize various aspects of diversity related to school leadership, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and curriculum and pedagogical implications. An innovative capstone project is required for the degree.
The New Learning and Literacies online program explores the theoretical and practical applications of new learning technologies and concepts to pedagogy, literacy, broadly conceived, and practice in various educational institutions. These online classes emphasize both the social foundational concepts as well as the new ways in which technology is connected to more interdisciplinary ways of conceptualizing education.
Master of Education (Ed.M.)
| Required Courses: | Required Hours-Global Studies | Required Hours-Diversity and Equity Issues in Education | Required Hours-New Learning and Literacies | Required Hours–Teaching Critical Thinking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological Foundation Course EPSY 400 |
4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Psychological Foundation Course EPSY 590 |
4 | |||
| Social and Philosophical Foundation Course EPS 405 |
4 | 4 | ||
| Social and Philosophical Foundation Course EPS 415 |
4 | |||
| Social and Philosophical Foundation Course EPS 590 |
12 | |||
| SPED 514, 590E/D, and 591 | 12 | |||
| SPED 418 | 4 | |||
| EOL 590 | 4 | |||
| EPS 500 | 4 | 4 | ||
| EPS 530 | 4 | |||
| EPS 536 | 4 | |||
| EPS 431, 532, and 535 | 12 | |||
| EPS 576 | 4 | |||
| EPS 590 | 12 | 4 | 20 | |
| HRE 572 | 4 | |||
| Elective Hours: 400/500-Level Hours Required: 16 hours (Independent Study included) |
8 | |||
| Total Hours (minimum) | 32 | 36 | 36 | 32 |
| Other Requirements:* | ||||
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
Medical Scholars Program
This dual degree program combines the study of medicine with study for a graduate degree in a second discipline, including Educational Policy Studies. Students may apply to the Medical Scholars Program prior to beginning graduate school or while in the graduate program. Applicants to the Medical Scholars Program must meet the admissions standards for and be accepted into both the doctoral graduate program and the College of Medicine. Students in the dual degree program must meet the specific requirements for both the medical and graduate degrees. On average, students take eight years to complete both degrees. Further information on this program is available by contacting the Medical Scholars Program, 125 Medical Sciences Building, (217) 333-8146 or at www.med.illinois.edu/msp.
Facilities and Resources
The College of Education also has many resources to assist graduate students through their academic career. The Bureau of Educational Research works with students to secure research funding and provide human subject reviews. Educational Career Services assists with job placement in educational-related settings. The Council on Teacher Education certifies candidates, provides accreditation of professional education programs; and supervision of pre-service field experiences. The Chief Information Office provides technical support, equipment checkout, and an Instructional Computing Lab. The Thesis Format Office assists students in the formatting of their thesis or dissertation for degree completion.
Information on University resources can be found at www.grad.illinois.edu/campus-resources.
Financial Aid
Financial aid in the form of assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, and tuition waivers can be found throughout the college and campus. There are opportunities available through the department, the College of Education, and the Bureau of Educational Research. Campus opportunities can be found at the Graduate College and the Office of Student Financial Aid.