Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership & Policy
Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership & Policy Overview
Are you looking to further advance your knowledge of educational leadership, policy, social diversity and change, particularly relating to PK-12 education?
The Ph.D. program in Educational Leadership and Policy fosters the study of problems in leadership and policy with respect to educational programs, with an emphasis on elementary and secondary schools. It will best serve students who have a commitment to scholarship and research as a means of deepening their understanding of leadership action in schools or in other educational and service institutions.
The Ph.D. is available through both full-time and flexible-time studies. While experience in teaching and administration is not an essential prerequisite for admission, such experience provides a desirable background. The department welcomes applicants with diverse but relevant backgrounds.
For detailed information about the program, please consult the School of Graduate Studies Calendar.
At a Glance
Study Options
Full-time (4 years)
Flexible-time (6 years - maximum)
Program Requirements
Coursework
Comprehensive Examination
Thesis Proposal
Thesis
Funding and Tuition
For current information about tuition fees, funding, and financial support, visit Tuition & Financial Support.
Deadlines
Applications for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle are now open. Apply Today !!
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Why I Chose Leadership, Adult & Higher Education
Sean Hartley (Master of Education 2023)
"When I made the decision to pursue an M.Ed, I chose OISE for a number of reasons. Chief among them was the curriculum; even within the Educational Leadership and Policy stream, I had the freedom to pursue subjects and topics that I found interesting. Professors and instructors were top-notch, allowing me to learn from their expertise and challenging my own thinking. I did my best academic work of my life at OISE, which is due in no small part to the faculty."
Admission Requirements
General Admission Requirements
Please visit the OISE Admissions website for detailed information about the application process, including general minimum admission requirements and supporting documents.
Program-Specific Information
- Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.
- An appropriate master's degree, from a recognized university in a relevant discipline or professional program, with a minimum standing equivalent to a University of Toronto A-.
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Applicants to the flex-time program should be active professionals who demonstrate connections between their professional work and their proposed course program, and/or between their professional work and their proposed research. Capacity to secure blocks of time to enable concentrated study is required.
All applicants must submit:
- Transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended.
- Full-time: Two letters of reference (one academic, the other either academic or professional).
- Flex time: Two letters of reference (one academic, one professional).
- A resumé. For flex PhD applicants only, the resumé must include confirmation that the applicant is an active professional in a field related to their proposed studies.
- Answers to faculty admissions questions (applicants are to answer each question in an essay format). Please see the questions in the next accordion.
- Sample of written work (In addition to the answers to the faculty admissions questions, a supplementary writing sample is required, which will help the admissions committee to assess an applicant's readiness to succeed in rigorous coursework and to conduct systematic research for the PhD. Applicants typically submit a master's-level Major Research Paper or thesis as their writing sample. Applicants who do not have a Major Research Paper or thesis must provide a writing sample that showcases their ability to write clearly and analytically about educational issues. The admissions committee will look for evidence that applicants understand how to, or have the potential to, craft an academic document, display an ability to define a research problem, devise an appropriate focus for an inquiry, assemble and analyze evidence, and develop conclusions in a rigorous manner. Examples include a master’s-level course paper, a policy document, and a professional publication.
Applicants are to answer each question in an essay format.
- Please address the following (2000 words max):
- Describe your academic background, professional experiences, community service and other relevant experiences and accomplishments and how they relate to PK-12 Educational Leadership and Policy. If your academic background is not in education or a related social science field, you are encouraged to describe how your experiences have prepared you for the program.
- Discuss your prior research experience, as well as any other related skills or experiences that make you a strong candidate for a research-stream program. This may include a master’s thesis, major research paper or other capstone project, and/or experience conducting research in professional, practitioner, or policy contexts. Discuss any prior experience with academic presentations, conferences and/or publications.
- Describe your research interests and/or state the research question you wish to investigate and how. You should highlight the synergy between one or more of the program’s thematic areas (Policy, Leadership, Change, and Social Diversity) and your proposed research. You may want to cite core scholars or readings that orient you in this field.
- (optional) You are encouraged to speak to your academic and professional goals (after graduation) and how pursuing the PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy would advance these goals.
- (optional) The Educational Leadership and Policy program seeks to maintain a diverse, inclusive, and engaged learning community. You are encouraged to identify any ways that your identity (including--but not limited to--ancestry, culture, gender, race, religion, socio-economic status or other social identities) or life experience will contribute to this community.
- (optional) Is there any additional information you want to share with the Admissions Committee that will inform their review of your application?
- Indicate the faculty member(s) you would like to work within the program and why. How will the expertise of the faculty member(s) support your proposed research? Note you do not need to secure a supervisor prior to applying. Please take time to review descriptions of the Educational Leadership & Policy faculty members here (200 words max)
- (PhD full time applicants only) If you will have funding from your home government, international organization or funding agencies, please provide details (Name of funding agency, value and duration). If this does not apply to you, please leave blank
Program Information
Coursework
Students must complete a minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
- People and Power in Organizations (LHA 3040H, 0.5 FCE)
- 1.0 FCE in research methods, to be chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor (excluding LHA 1003H and LHA 1004H, which may not be counted towards this requirement). Students who have already attained an acceptable level of competence in research methodology may be authorized to choose a course in a different area of study.
- At least 0.5 FCE at the 3000 level or the 6000 Special Topics level from the Educational Leadership and Policy program. Educational Leadership and Policy program course codes typically have a ‘0’ in the second digit, for example ‘LHA30XX’ and ‘LHA60XX’. The following courses also count as Educational Leadership and Policy program courses: EDP3045, EDP3145, JOI3043, JOI3048, JOI3049.
- 1.0 FCE in elective courses, which may at either the master’s (1000 or 5000) or doctoral (3000 or 6000) level; and may be from the Educational Leadership and Policy program or other programs or departments. Explore ELP courses
Comprehensive Exam
- Students entering 2023 and later (full 2023 comps guidelines): Successful oral defence of a written paper that critically reviews and synthesizes the literature in the student’s proposed thesis area, selected by the student in consultation with the supervisor/advisor.
- Students entering before 2023 (full pre-2023 comps guidelines; may also opt into 2023 comps guidelines): Successful oral defence of a written portfolio that emphasizes reflective practice.
- The comprehensive exam is normally taken at the end of Year 2 (full time Ph.D.) or Year 3 (flex time Ph.D.) and must be taken no later than the end of Year 3 (full time Ph.D.) or Year 4 (flex time Ph.D.). Students will be informed of their status (pass or fail) at the end of the oral exam. Students who are not successful in their first attempt will be permitted one additional attempt to pass.
Thesis Proposal Hearing (Dissertation Proposal Guidelines)
Thesis
| Session | Activity |
|---|---|
| Year 1 Fall | People and Power in Organizations (LHA3040H) 1-2 other courses Graduate assistantship |
| Year 1 Winter | 2-3 courses Graduate assistantship |
| Spring/Summer
|
0 or 1 courses Begin reading for comprehensive exam |
| Year 2 Fall | 1-3 courses as needed to complete 6 required course credits Secure thesis supervisor (By December of Year 2) Continue preparing for comprehensive exam Graduate assistantship |
| Year 2 Winter | 0-3 courses (as needed to complete 6 required course credits) Continue preparing for comprehensive exam Graduate assistantship |
| Year 2 Winter or Spring |
Comprehensive exam (by the end of Year 2) |
| Year 3 | Form thesis committee Prepare thesis proposal Thesis proposal hearing (by Aug. 31 following Year 3) Graduate assistantship |
| Year 4 | Ethics review Thesis research, writing Graduate assistantship |
| Year 5+ (if needed) |
Thesis research, writing |
| Year 4, 5 or 6 | Final Oral Exam/Thesis defence (maximum time limit is 6 years) |
The flexible time degree is designed for working professionals. All program requirements are the same as the full-time PhD, but students are only expected to take 1 course per term and to complete the degree in 6 years (instead of 4 years).
| Session | Activity |
|---|---|
| Year 1 Fall | People and Power in Organizations (LHA3040H) |
| Year 1 Winter | 1 course |
| Spring/Summer | 0 or 1 course Begin reading for comprehensive exam |
| Year 2 Fall | 1 course |
| Year 2 Winter | 1 course |
| Spring/Summer | 0 or 1 course advisor Continue reading for comprehensive exam |
| Year 3 Fall | 1 course (as needed to complete 6 required course credits Secure thesis supervisor (by December of Year 3) Continue preparing for comprehensive exam |
| Year 3 Winter | 0 or 1 course (as needed to complete 6 required course credits) Continue preparing for comprehensive exam |
| Year 3 Winter or Spring | Comprehensive exam (by the end of Year 3) |
| Year 4 | Form thesis committee Prepare thesis proposal Thesis proposal hearing (by Aug. 31 following Year 4) |
| Year 5-6 | Ethics review Thesis research, writing Final Oral Exam/Thesis defence (maximum time limit is 6 years) |
- Students in the full-time option must register continuously and pay the full-time fee until all degree requirements have been fulfilled.
- Students in the flexible-time option must register full-time during the first four years and may continue as part-time thereafter, with their department's approval.
- Students cannot transfer between the full-time and flexible-time PhD options.
- Students cannot transfer between the EdD and PhD programs.
See a complete list of all courses offered in the Educational Leadership & Policy program.
See course offerings for the current term: please visit OISE’s Course Enrolment website.
Collaborative specializations provide graduate students enrolled in participating degree programs with an additional multidisciplinary experience as they complete their home degree program.
Learn more about the collaborative specializations offered to students in this program:
Faculty in the Educational Leadership & Policy program have multi-disciplinary teaching and research expertise in a wide range of fields.
Our faculty's expertise includes, but is not limited to:
- Educational policy analysis and program evaluation
- Whole system reforms
- International comparisons of educational equity
- Socio-economic disparities in academic achievement
- Large-scale data analysis
- intersections of law and education
- School administration, philosophy and theory
- Critical democracy and educational leadership issues
Full Time
In years 1 to 4, full-time PhD students receive a graduate funding package equal to the cost of academic tuition and fees, plus support as a Graduate Assistant. For more information visit Tuition & Financial Support.
Flex Time
The flex-time PhD is a self-funded degree. For more information visit Tuition & Financial Support.
Awards
For more information about awards and scholarships visit:
Please note: LHAE will advertise these awards via student listservs throughout the year as the competitions open.
At this time, the Department of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education admits one (1) funded international applicant to its full-time Ph.D. programs each year – rotating between the programs of Adult Education & Community Development (AECD), Education Leadership & Policy (ELP), and Higher Education (HE).
In doing so, HE will admit one international student in 2023, AECD will admit one international Ph.D. student in 2024, and ELP will admit one international student in 2025, and onwards in the order of HE, AECD, ELP.
However, the Department may consider applications from international applicants where home governments, international organizations or funding agencies can provide them with funding. The funding must minimally have the value and duration of the graduate funding package that is offered and should be indicated on the application. Please review the Graduate Funding Package website.
Ready to join one of the world’s top universities?
Take the next step in your academic journey and start your application to graduate studies at OISE.
