School of
Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences

Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences

Home / Academics / Educational Leadership / Ph.D. in Education: Educational Leadership, Policy and Foundations

Program overview

This doctoral program engages students in advanced study of education organizations and their leadership, education policy and the foundations of education. A major emphasis of the program is examining the ways education and educational leadership can advance social justice and the equality of educational opportunities and outcomes. This program is for practitioners and aspiring researchers who wish to explore critical education issues through doctoral study.

Upon graduation, students are prepared for careers as education leaders and education researchers. Our graduates have gone on to work for UMKC, Kansas State University, Mid-America Nazarene University, the Kansas Historical Society, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Mo. and Kansas City, Kan. Public Schools, North Kansas City Public Schools, Raymore-Peculiar School District, the Academy for Integrated Arts and more.

Admissions and course requirements

Program Details

Program requirements

The program is comprised of at least 60 credit hours, including:

  • 24 credit hours in your focus area (courses are selected in collaboration with your advisors)
  • 12 research-related hours
  • 12 credit hours in a corollary subject area
  • 12 dissertation hours

Complete course listing on Academic Catalog

Program benchmarks

  • Complete coursework in PK-12 leadership, higher education and/or the foundations of education.
  • Supplement your studies with coursework in related academic disciplines and in research methods.
  • Complete comprehensive exams demonstrating knowledge of research and theory in your areas of study.
  • Conduct original scholarly research and report on it in a doctoral dissertation.

Costs, aid and funding opportunities

Cost is a major consideration when deciding whether to continue your education, which is why we offer a limited number of part-time program or research assistantships. These positions are subject to funding availability and may require specific background knowledge or skill sets. Contact the program coordinator for information about current availability.

Learn more about costs and other financial aid and funding opportunities that can make earning your degree more affordable.

Estimated costs  International student costs  Financial aid  Funding opportunities

Application Details

Application procedures and requirements

  1. Prepare required documentation, including:
    • Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions
    • Written recommendations from appropriate professors and practitioners in the field (selected by the applicant)
    • An autobiographical sketch, which should be a brief resume of academic and professional goals and your personal, academic and career history as it relates to those goals. It should also include reasons for choosing Educational Leadership, Policy and Foundations as a field of study.
    • Writing samples, prior scholarly writing or the successful completion of an essay examination as evidence of graduate-level writing ability
  1. Complete the online application. Please be sure to pay applicable domestic or international program fees.
  2. Make sure you meet discipline-specific requirements, which are listed in the Academic Catalog.
  3. Participate in an interview with program faculty to assess whether doctoral studies will be an effective vehicle for advancing your scholarly and professional goals.

Application deadlines

  • Feb. 15 for Fall Semester entry
  • Applications are reviewed once a year, for admission beginning the next fall term. 

Still Have Questions?

Email our program coordinator for more information.
Profile photo of Eric Camburn.

Eric Camburn, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator, Professor and Sherman Endowed Chair for Urban Education Research
 Email: camburne@umkc.edu