Ph.D. in Education, Concentration in Educational Leadership, Policy and Justice
“This program inspires you to have a vision of leadership grounded in social justice and equity; you dig into research and policy, and begin to question everything based on this lens, and this ignites your passion to change the status quo.”
- Emiola Oyefuga, Ph.D. '20
The educational leadership, policy and justice concentration is designed to cultivate educational scholars and leaders who will advance scholarship, policy and practice related to equity and social justice.
Drawing on an interdisciplinary study of leadership and policy, the program promotes an understanding of the many societal and organizational impediments to equal educational opportunity.
This concentration is directed not only toward identifying and analyzing those injustices, but also toward imagining, researching and creating more equitable, inclusive schools and societies through leadership and policy. The dissertation is a rigorous culminating tool for research, advocacy and change within educational organizations and endeavors. Graduates will be prepared to lead for equity in K-12 organizations, higher education, research and policy think tanks or local, state and federal policymaking institutions.
Curriculum requirements
The Ph.D. in education, concentration in educational leadership, policy and justice requires a minimum of 48 total graduate credit hours:
Please keep in mind, however, that the exact course requirements may vary depending on when you matriculated into the program, so please consult your adviser or the program coordinator with any additional questions.
VCU BULLETIN INFO
PROGRAM BASICS
How to apply: Graduate application
Semester of entry: Fall and summer
Application deadline: Jan. 15
Faculty listing: Educational Leadership
Faculty areas of interest: Research areas
Application checklist [PDF]ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- General admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School
- Master’s degree in an appropriate discipline
- Three letters of recommendation addressing the student’s potential for graduate study in education
- Statement of intent
- Satisfactory scores on the GRE
- Transcripts of all previous college work
- A personal interview and additional writing sample (may be requested)
- Professional vitae/resume
FOR MORE IN-DEPTH INFO
Ready To Get Started?
- Jon Becker, J.D., Ph.D.
- Coordinator
- (804) 828-1940
- jbecker@vcu.edu
- Whitney Newcomb, Ph.D.
- Department Chair
- (804) 828-8724
- wsnewcomb@vcu.edu
Alternate contact email for this program: SOEinfo@vcu.edu