PhD in Educational Administration and Policy

Announcement

We are thrilled to unveil our reimagined Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Administration and Policy (EDAP), which is designed to cultivate expertise in leading and researching learning, change, and improvement within the context of educational settings. With admissions opening in Fall 2026, this dynamic program aims to foster the next generation of transformative educational leaders and educational leadership faculty/researchers.

Introduction

Become qualified to provide senior leadership or research educational leadership in PK-12 educational organizations and other governmental and non-governmental educational organizations.

Highlights

Program is well-suited for those aspiring into: a) senior or executive leadership positions in PK-12 school districts who are seeking to improve the learning experience of and educational outcomes for all students, b) senior and executive leaders of other governmental and non-governmental educational organizations, and b) those seeking to become educational leadership and policy researchers/faculty
Program curriculum foregrounds the study of adult learning and organizational change/improvement taught by faculty from: a) educational leadership and policy, and b) learning, leadership and organizational development.
Program curriculum is highly flexible to allow students the ability to tailor course selection around career aspirations and individual interests
Program curriculum offers an opportunity for robust interdisciplinary study by combining learning about the leadership of educational organizations for learning/change/improvement with subject matter exploration in such areas of PK-12 mathematics education, language and literacy education, and assessment
Program allows for qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods exploration from qualitative and quantitative methods experts
Program courses are offered in Athens and Gwinnett (many of these classes are in a hybrid format that combines in-person and online learning) or online
A limited number of graduate research assistant positions may be available based on student experience, expertise, and qualifications

Program Overview

This program is designed to develop deep expertise in areas that are critical to senior leaders of PK-12 school districts, senior leaders in other educational organizations, and to educational researchers who focus on issues of educational leadership, educational leadership development, and educational policy.

Importantly, this program combines the study of organizational change and improvement with the opportunity for interdisciplinary learning in areas that are consequential to the learning experiences and outcomes of PK-12 students. Program participants will delve into adult learning theory to develop an understanding of how adults learn and how to facilitate their development in educational and professional settings. They will also explore issues of organizational change and improvement. These understandings are foundational for those who wish to serve in transformative leadership roles in PK-12 school districts and other educational organizations as well as those seeking to research such work by educational leaders.

The program also provides participants with an opportunity for subject-area exploration across areas critical to PK-12 teaching and student learning, including PK language and literacy education, mathematics education, and assessment. By engaging with these subjects, program participants will be prepared to research and enact strategies that support adult learning, drive improvement in organizational and instructional practices, and strengthen the learning experiences and outcomes for all PK-12 learners.

Curriculum

Program courses combine lectures, student-led large and small group discussions and activities, and application-oriented projects and activities to provide you with a robust environment for learning and development. You will work closely with our faculty throughout your program of study and have regular opportunities to meet and engage informally with faculty and other PhD students. Program participants are encouraged to attend and present at professional conventions and collaborate with faculty on convention presentations and writing articles for practitioner and academic journals.

You complete a minimum of 61 hours of coursework to meet this program’s requirements, which includes a core, a specialization, an internship, research methods, and a dissertation. Both cores require the following:

18 hours of core-specific courses organized across five broad areas: a) leadership for organizational change, diagnosis, development, improvement, and adult learning, b) leadership for supervision, c) diverse context considerations for educational leaders, d) policy considerations for leaders of educational organizations, and e) educational law or finance considerations for leaders of educational organizations
12 hours of electives that can be taken across: a) educational leadership, b) learning, leadership, and organizational development, c) mathematics, d) language and literacy, and e) assessment
15 to 18 hours of research methodology courses (both qualitative and quantitative)
3 hour apprenticeship or internship course
Minimum of 13 hours for dissertation prospectus and dissertation

Download a Program of Study (PDF)

Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal .

How to Apply

Part 1: Apply to the University of Georgia

The Graduate School handles admission for all graduate programs at the University of Georgia, including those in the College of Education. The Graduate School website contains important details about the application process, orientation, and many other useful links to guide you through the process of attending UGA at the graduate level.

Start A Graduate School Application

Part 2: Apply to the Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Policy

The Ph.D. in Adult Education only admits students for the Fall semester each year.

While completing the application, be sure to attach the following documents:

Resume/CV
Statement of purpose
Official transcripts
3 letters of recommendation

Statement of Purpose

In no more than two single-spaced pages, describe your research interests, past academic and professional background, and long-term goals for using the doctoral degree. You should also list two to three faculty members with whom these research interests are a fit, as well as the reasons why you see the UGA College of Education as a fit for your professional goals.

Writing Sample

Please submit a writing sample, which may be excerpted from a longer piece of academic writing but limited to five to eight double-spaced pages. If the writing sample is an excerpt, please include a paragraph or two, providing context about its source.

Please do not exceed the recommended page limits for the Statement of Purpose or the Writing Sample.

The Program of Educational Administration and Policy uses a holistic admissions process that looks at applicants’ academic background, fit with the research interests of the faculty and professional and academic goals. GRE scores are one element of a complete application.

Deadline To Apply

Log Into Existing Application

Additional Resources

Student Handbook Archive More Student Resources

Please use our online form if you have any questions for the department. Please be as specific as possible so that we may quickly assist you.

Faculty and Advisors

The College’s programs are taught by dedicated faculty who are experts in a range of areas and are passionate about helping students succeed both in their programs and professionally.

Meet the Faculty

Most graduate students at UGA are not assigned to a faculty advisor until after admittance. A close working relationship with your advisor is paramount to progressing through your program of study.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Almost all in-state students begin their studies at UGA paying limited tuition or fees. Please note that these amounts are subject to change and are meant to give prospective students an idea of the costs associated with a degree at the University of Georgia College of Education.

Students may qualify for a variety of assistantships, scholarships, and other financial awards to help offset the cost of tuition, housing, and other expenses.

Tuition Rates Browse Financial Aid

Student Life

You have opportunities to work with our renowned faculty throughout your study, from individual courses to policy-related projects.

The University of Georgia Lifelong Learning Association provides career networking for students, faculty, and professionals through seminars, workshops, and leadership roles.

See for yourself how much UGA College of Education has to offer! Schedule a tour of campus to learn more about the UGA student experience.

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Alumni Spotlights

Jerome Graham

I currently serve as an assistant professor of educational leadership and policy studies at the University of Cincinnati. I can confidently say that my experiences in UGA’s EDAP program have been transformative and played an instrumental role in preparing me to serve in my current position and those to come. While I can remark on a number of these experiences, I will focus my attention around the people and the place.

EDAP is filled with many incredible individuals whose interests are clearly aligned with supporting the needs and investing in the development of students. These investments were expressed most profoundly to me through my advisors’ efforts to continually affirm my scholarly identity and support my professional growth. They expressed a vested interest in ensuring I acquired the necessary research, teaching, and mentoring skills to become an effective scholar and teacher. The EDAP program has a vibe that is energetic and family-oriented, which made transitioning out of the community both difficult and worrying. As I interviewed for jobs, I realized how natural it was to compare each place to EDAP. After some time, I affirmatively concluded that this EDAP place is uniquely special.

To EDAP—the people and place—thank you! I am forever indebted to you and will strive to make the spaces I occupy moving forward as inclusive of and kind towards others as the community was to me when I joined in 2016.

Ain Grooms

I am currently an assistant professor in the educational leadership program at the University of Iowa, where I joined the faculty in 2016. My research focuses on educational access and opportunity for students of color broadly, and Black students in particular, in P-12 contexts. I use the intersection of race, place, and socioeconomic class to examine the impact of historical and contemporary educational policies—including school desegregation, school choice, student attendance, and the retention of educators of color—on student achievement.

UGA’s educational administration and policy (EDAP) program was very instrumental to my current success. The guidance and mentorship I received from EDAP faculty helped me define and shape the academic I am now. I had numerous opportunities to publish manuscripts and present at national conferences with faculty, work as a graduate research assistant on large grants, and guest lecture in several courses. EDAP faculty encouraged my participation in professional organizations while ensuring my personal, professional, and academic needs were met. As a faculty member, I try to model the support and mentorship EDAP faculty provided me when advising my own doctoral students.

Roswell Lawrence, Jr., PhD., MBA, MDiv

I am honored to share a professional update and reflection on how the Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Policy program within the EDAP department has helped shape me professionally. Currently, I serve as the Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff for Finance and Administration here at the University of Georgia. In this role, I provide leadership for Finance and Administration through continuous strategic planning and, holistic client relations mitigation while helping to manage the day-to-day operations. As an administrator with a faculty appointment, I appreciate the way EDAP was able to tailor the program for my academic and professional goals. The program was perfect for me as I continue working as a higher education practitioner that also directly serves students.

EDAP is a pivotal part of my new role as it expanded my knowledge and understanding of practices and policies within education and how they affect various groups of stakeholders. That knowledge directly translates as I represent my unit across campus in areas related to admissions and student affairs where this understanding is paramount. Equally as important were the courses that linked education to the greater community. The appreciation gained through the assignments, group discussions, and one-on-one time with professors broadened my knowledge of how the history of education and policy affects communities and their trajectory. Whether I am representing UGA on a community initiative or personally volunteering, the program has helped me become a better citizen. EDAP enhanced what I offered and gave me additional tools that are mutually beneficial for me and those I serve in this expanded role.

The program also allowed me to make lasting friendships with professors and classmates of which many are now my colleagues. We are able to network and encourage each other through personal and professional breakthroughs and struggles.

Stephen Owens

I work as a senior policy analyst at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI), a non-profit think-tank that examines the state’s budget, taxes, and public policies to provide thoughtful analysis and responsible solutions. I focus on state polices and research that affect public P-12 education in Georgia. In this role I research, write, and communicate reports/briefs/blogs to a variety of audiences and strategic partners. I also engage in legislative lobbying for, among other policies, an equitable school funding system for Georgia’s 1.8 million public school children.

UGA’s educational administration and policy doctoral program not only provided me with the content knowledge and frameworks to perform well in this role, it also changed how I view higher education altogether. The work and support I received push me to be a better writer, researcher, and analyst. I was able to learn from (and work with) professors with keen minds who were faithful to the curriculum, while also being compassionate to students. I rely on the work of those professors, my fellow classmates, and all the staff in the EDAP program daily, and am happy to forge a career in educational policy because of it.