Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Educational Studies [Ph.D.]


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The Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies will prepare educators from various community organizations (P-12 schools, higher education, and other community contexts) to engage in effective research and practice about teaching and learning. The program consists of two primary strands, one that concentrates on developing educators for P-12 learners and a second that prepares educators for post-secondary learners. The program is theoretically rigorous, grounded in best practices, and directly linked to the University’s strategic initiatives. A key underlying emphasis is poverty, and its specific impact on urban and suburban, and rural communities.

Program Website

Program Admission


Application Phase:

A new cohort of students begins each fall semester in September. The priority application deadline for each cohort is the first Friday of the preceding February.

Students are only admitted to a fall cohort. There are no winter or summer admissions for this program.

Graduate School Application

After reviewing the admission requirements below, please select the appropriate application. The University is transitioning application platforms; pay close attention when selecting the application below.

The program you are applying to may not accept applicants every semester.

For additional information regarding the application process, please see Graduate Admissions or International Admissions.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

A four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution. In addition, a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program, is required for full admission. Applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission. See International Admissions for international applicant requirements.

Applicants must also meet the following program requirements:

  • Completing a master’s or specialist’s degree from an accredited university with at least a 3.3 GPA.
  • A resume reflecting professional experience, community engagement, scholarly activity, and other evidence supports this application.
  • A personal statement (maximum of 350 words) explaining how the focus of the doctoral program in Educational Studies would support the applicant’s professional goals.
  • A critical/analytic essay (current APA style, up to 750 words, excluding references) that meets the following content guidelines and format (see rubric). This is a formal writing assessment that the committee uses to assess your writing skills.
    • Identify and unpack a substantive issue in urban education. Choose an issue that interests you – one that may be part of your own personal research agenda as a doctoral student.
    • Critically appraise the issue, demonstrating your ability to explore multiple perspectives using research literature and/or theoretical literature.
    • Include a discussion section that demonstrates your understanding of how the issue relates to urban education, advocacy, and leadership.
  • Three professional letters of reference from people who have supervised you in a professional role or who have evaluated your academic work (i.e., professors). Letters from peers or colleagues are inappropriate.

Interview Phase:

Select applicants will meet with the doctoral admissions committee for a screening interview.

Department Information


Teacher Education | Wendy Burke, Ph.D., Department Head | 313 Porter, 734.487.3260, wburke1@emich.edu

Advisor Information


Shawn Quilter, Ph.D., 313 Porter, 734.487.6567squilter@emich.edu

Chris Robbins, Ph.D., 313 Porter, 734.487.3260, crobbin2@emich.edu

Degree Requirements: 60 hours


Education Core: 9 hours


Nine credit hours of study focused on research in teaching and learning, social, and philosophical foundations of education, and cultural, political, and economic impacts of education on global communities. These courses are team taught in a seminar format.

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