Educational Culture, Policy and Society PhD at University at Buffalo

Programme overview

The PhD examines how education, including but not limited to P-16, relates to broader society, focusing on institutions, policies and practices that affect well-being and social and economic outcomes, particularly for underserved populations in the U.S. and globally. It includes cross-national comparison of education policy and mixed-methods training, with depth in one methodology and fluency in the other. It is delivered on campus.

Faculty: Graduate School of Education | Department: Educational Leadership and Policy | Duration: 72 credit hours; 4 to 5+ years | Intake: Fall (application deadline January 1) | Study mode: In Person / Full Time | Location: Buffalo, NY, United States

What you will study

Required coursework (26 credits) includes Sociological Bases in Education, Education and Socialization, Education and Social Stratification, Qualitative Research Methods I and II and Writing Dissertation Proposals, plus at least 6 credits of quantitative methods, electives, a preliminary examination paper and at least 9 dissertation credits.

Career pathways

Administrators or staff in college access programs, faculty or scholars in educational policy and global studies, analysts and program officers at international development or human service agencies, ministry of education policy analysts, and school teachers or administrators.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A master's degree is required before applying. GRE/MAT not required (scores sent are not considered). Application: online application with $50 fee; at least two academic references submitting electronic letters; curriculum vitae; unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended; writing sample of 10 to 15 double-spaced pages using current empirical research in APA format; statement of purpose of about 3 to 4 double-spaced pages covering background, research interests, professional goals and faculty of interest. Application deadline January 1. International applicants: official proof of degree, passport biographical page, English test scores (TOEFL, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic or Duolingo) dated within two years, and financial documentation.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms and deadlines vary by programme; applicants apply directly to UB through the Graduate School application, with some programmes using external national applications plus a supplemental UB application.

A non-refundable application fee is required for each programme applied to; fees vary by programme and payment instructions are emailed after the application is submitted.

Law (JD) application fee is $85; applicants submit the LSAT or GRE.

MD: AMCAS application accepted June 1 to November 15; supplemental application and materials due December 1; supplemental fee $100; Early Decision AMCAS due August 1 and supplemental due August 31.

Apply through the official page: https://www.buffalo.edu/grad/explore/admissions/apply.html

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