Doctoral Degree Program

Students in Educational Theory and Policy are expected to acquire competencies in their areas of specialization together with research and scholarly skills for investigation of significant problems of education and society.

Specific degree requirements are: 

• A minimum grade-point average of 3.00 for work done at Penn State is required for graduation.

• A minimum of 57 graduate credits is required.

Major components of the doctoral program include:

• Core courses

• Candidacy examination

• One-year residency requirement

• English proficiency

• Oral comprehensive examination

• Thesis proposal

• Final oral defense

Students with a minimum grade-point average of 3.00 will be considered for admission to the Ph.D. program. Exceptions to the minimum grade-point average may be made for students with special backgrounds, abilities, and interests. There is no deadline for admission; when an application file is complete, it is acted upon by the program faculty. However, if you are applying for a graduate assistantship for the ensuing academic year, the following information must be received in the program office by February 1:

• Completed online admission application to The Graduate School (including payment of nonrefundable application fee to The Graduate School)

• All supporting materials required for admission to the Educational Theory and Policy program

• Completed Graduate Assistantship Application