The PhD in Education Program is individualized, interdisciplinary, and experiential. Students may opt to specialize in education policy (EDPO) or incorporate coursework within a self-defined interdisciplinary program of study.
Have questions? Attend an information session or contact the specialization representative, David Houston.
The Education Policy Specialization involves the study of education policy and how it helps individuals understand how decisions are made at various levels of government, how decision-makers use educational research and evidence, and how to influence the decision-making process. The program encourages students to hone skills that are needed for sound policy research and analysis.
This specialization allows for flexible academic planning and research according to participants' interests, career goals, and learning format. With the advisor's approval, students may add courses in education law or education finance, as well as policy courses in other academic units, to round out their program of study.
What Will You Learn?
The specialization features coursework and applied internships that enable you to learn:
- How to be a sophisticated and discerning consumer of education policy research
- How to conduct rigorous empirical research on education policies and practices
- How to communicate research findings to a broad array of audiences
"I have had so many opportunities to work with faculty members both on their research, from data collection to writing manuscripts, and on my own research, receiving one-on-one support to build tailored research skills unique to my own interests and needs. The support and mentorship that I have received from faculty has been unbelievable and I think it is unique to Mason. I know that when I leave Mason, I will have the research skills and tools to be competitive for top positions in the field."
~ Beth Davis, current student
"During my time at Mason, I have been able to customize my plan of study and work with faculty on select research projects in order to build the knowledge and skillset needed to meet my career goals. I have conducted rigorous data analyses, worked closely with practitioners, and presented my own research at national conferences. The experiences I have been a part of and the network I have been able to build are incredible. Because of Mason, I know I will be a competitive job market candidate."~ Katherine Bowser, current student
Jeremy Redford, PhD 2022
- Dissertation Title: A “Process that Never Ends”: Parents’ Experiences Navigating a Public Preschool Lottery
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Colleen Vesely
Megan Sims-Fujita, PhD 2021
- Dissertation Title: Factors Influencing College Decision-Making among Students with Disabilities: A Mixed-Methods Study
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Grace Francis & Dr. Jodi Duke
- Employment on Graduation: social work org. ; Adjunct Professor, George Washington University
Robert Graham, PhD 2020
- Dissertation Title: Mic’d Up: A Critical Narrative Inquiry Into African American Males, School Counselors & the First-Year Experience at a PWI
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Jenice View
Andrea Guiden, PhD 2020
- Dissertation Title: In Search of 'the Right Type': An Historical Examination of Black Teachers and Quality in the District of Columbia Public Schools, 1952-1964
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Jenice View & Dr. Diana D’Amico
Kathleen Kraus-Zadrozny, PhD 2020
- Dissertation Title: The Choice and Implication of Student Achievement Goals in Virginia Assistant Principal Performance Evaluation Policy
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Nancy Holincheck
William Rodick, PhD 2020
- Dissertation Title: Parallel Societies: A Community School in the Context of Gentrification
- Dissertation Chair: Colleen Vesely
Brenda Calderon, PhD 2019
- Dissertation Title: English Learner Accountability in ESSA State Plans: A Multicase Policy Study of Implementation in Four States
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Mark Ginsberg
Kristofer Pachla, PhD 2019
- Dissertation Title: Early Career Professional Development: A Multiple Case-study Examining Differences in Outcomes and Experiences in a Secondary Science Methods Course
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Roberto Pamas
Amy Boehl, PhD 2018
- Dissertation Title: What Decisions Do Teachers Make in the Absence of Policy? A Qualitative Study of Test Retakes at the Classroom Level
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Penelope Earley
Levi Brown, PhD 2018
- Dissertation Title: Observations of Selected Virginia Teachers on the Impact of a Value-Added Evaluation System
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Penelope Earley
Lindsey Burke, PhD 2018
- Dissertation Title: Principal Perspectives on School Participation and Non-Participation in the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program: An Institutional Theory Analysis
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Meagan Call-Cummings & Dr. Rodney Hopson
Cathleen Cogdill, PhD 2018
- Dissertation Title: Funding Virginia Community Colleges During a Recessionary Period: Impact of Utilizing an Outcomes-based Funding Model
- Dissertation Chair: Nance Lucas
Heather Keenan, PhD 2018
- Dissertation Title: Teachers Making Sense of English Learner Education Policy: A Qualitative Case Study
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Penelope Earley
Jamila Jones Kennedy, PhD 2018
- Dissertation Title: Social Capital and Parent Engagement in Black and White Middle-Class Families
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Penelope Earley
Ave Luke-Simpson, PhD 2018
- Dissertation Title: Realidades Rurales: A Study of the Implementation of Title III of NCLB in a Rural Elementary School
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Penelope Earley
Jennifer Mursaloglu, PhD 2018
- Dissertation Title: Parental Engagement beyond School Walls: A Qualitative Case Study of African American Parental Engagement during High School
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Penelope Earley
Beth Aronstamm Young, PhD 2018
- Dissertation Title: District Data Personnel Perspectives on the Federal Data Collection and Reporting Process and How They Inform Their Work
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Penelope Earley
