PhD in Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methodologies
If you have a deep interest in the methodological, theoretical, and ethical procedures and challenges inherent to social science research and evaluation, this is a program for you. Our students contribute to the methodological and theoretical development of qualitative research and program evaluation.
Our program prepares research methodologists to study and develop theories and methods for conducting empirical and conceptual social science research and evaluation in education and other social science fields. Specifically, this program develops scholars and methodologists who are prepared to contribute to the advancement of innovative theories and methods used in qualitative research and program evaluation.
Highlights
- Focus on qualitative methodologies with interdisciplinary topics
- Open to students with a variety of educational backgrounds and experiences
- Small cohorts support individual faculty attention and mentorship
Video: Overview of Programs Offered by the Qualitative Research Program
Video: Meet the Qualitative Research Faculty
Curriculum
The organization of the research and evaluation methods degree program recognizes the wide variety of specialties in which you might develop research agendas.
Our mission is to build your capacity to contribute methodological expertise to collaborative research efforts through real-world opportunities in which you develop and practice the skills needed in your area of emphasis. As a result of this experience, you will have a broad knowledge of research methods along with specific expertise in a focused methodology. You can use this knowledge to pursue careers as research methodologists and evaluation specialists in higher education, corporations, and non-profit agencies.
The Ph.D. degree is a 54-credit hour degree program in which students engage in advanced study of qualitative theories and methods, mixed methods, and approaches to evaluation.
- Core Coursework - 21 hours
- Research Seminar - 3 hours
- Elective Coursework - 18 hours
- Internship - 6 hours
- Doctoral hours Minimum of - 3 hours
- Dissertation Minimum of - 3 hours
- TOTAL - 54 hours
Admissions
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 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methodologies
Please upload the following materials in your online application:
- Personal statement
- Curriculum vitae
- Writing sample (20-25 pages maximum)
Summary of Application Materials
Both the Graduate School and the academic department review application materials simultaneously. The Graduate School then reviews the department’s recommendation and makes the final determination on admission. As an applicant you will receive a formal letter regarding your admission from the Office of Graduate Admissions. You must be admitted to a program to be eligible to register for courses. Admission is granted for a specific semester and is validated by registration for that semester. Applicants must be admitted to the Graduate School before they are eligible to register. International applicants whose primary language is not English must submit scores from the TOEFL or IELTS tests in addition to a Certificate of Finances form. No application will be considered until all materials are received. To apply to the Ph.D. in Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methodologies, applicants must have completed a master’s degree. GRE scores are required for all applications.
Personal Statement
The program requires a personal statement, usually in the form of a letter of 2 to 3 pages, describing your background, work and research experience, interests in research and/or evaluation methodologies, and career aspirations. Specifically, you should be sure to address the following questions:
- What experience or background do you have in research methodologies?
- Why are you interested in the study of qualitative or evaluation methodologies?
- What research or evaluation questions do you hope to pursue, and why?
- In what way will the study of research or evaluation methodologies shape your career?
Writing Sample
You are required to submit a sample of formal writing (20-25 pages maximum). Scholarly or academic writing is preferred whether or not it has been published. If you have not published, recent course papers or work-related reports are appropriate.
Admissions Interviews
After a review of applications, selected applicants will be interviewed by the Ph.D. in Research and Evaluation Methodologies (REM) Admissions Committee early in the Spring semester for a subsequent Fall semester admission.
Deadline To Apply
February 1
Additional 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.
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 View Affiliated 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.
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.
In this program, you will take focused coursework with individual attention from faculty mentors.
Each semester, you will also take part in a seminar that brings together faculty in the qualitative research program to discuss topics of relevance to scholarship and teaching in qualitative research methodologies in higher education.
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.
Useful Links
Testimonials
What first attracted me to the Qualitative Research and Evaluation Ph.D. program was the balance it offers between the philosophy of science and the practical application of research and evaluation. The program’s faculty members are amazing at supporting students’ learning, and at pushing us to be creative, deep thinking, and daring as we explore methodologies.
Nuria Jaumot-Pascual, Doctoral Student
My path through the Qualitative Research and Evaluation Ph.D. program had me exploring the depths of qualitative research rarely visited by researchers in the health sciences but that have been essential in my current position as Senior Research Associate at Evidera. Now I find myself often referencing qualitative research theory and history when selecting strategies for new studies or when arranging trainings across my organization. Moreover, the breadth of interests across students in the program provided unique perspectives that enriched my journey. Most of all though, I am impressed with how well the faculty helped guide me through the program, making theory, history, and applied work relevant for my own career goals.
Sean Halpin, Former Doctoral Student
I really discovered the world of qualitative research with the Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methodologies Ph.D. program, and the instructors made me adore it. Their support for the students’ learning was so impeccable. They had genial ways to encourage students to think outside the box and to be creative from every point of view, especially when it comes to methodologies.
Bidossessi Mariano Ghislain Dossou Kpanou, Former Doctoral Student