Public Policy in Postsecondary Ph.D. Overview
Public Policy Home - Overview - Faculty
POTENTIAL AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT
Students enrolled in this concentration are those with a strong interest in public policy who seek to serve as university administrators, educators, policy analysts and researchers in the field of postsecondary education. The Public Policy curriculum enables students to participate more effectively in policy processes and prepares our graduates for a wide variety of positions in institutions of postsecondary education, policy positions at the local, state, national, and international level, and/or positions with non-governmental organizations, educational associations, or policy institutes.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COURSES IN THE CONCENTRATION
The introduction to this concentration is provided by the Gateway course, which is a prerequisite to most courses in this concentration. The remaining courses in this concentration are grouped into two categories: those that address issues related to policy perspectives; and those that span boundaries between institutions and the external environment. Students in this concentration are required to take one course from each of these two perspectives. Note: Some courses address more than one perspective, so are listed accordingly below. However, students may not use the same course to fulfill the requirement for more than one perspective. Students are encouraged to select the best combination of courses to match their career goals and interests, in consultation with their advisor.
GATEWAY COURSE
Recommended for all Public Policy concentrators, this Gateway course (or its equivalent) is a prerequisite for other courses in this area and should be taken in the first year.
EDUC 764, Public Policy in Postsecondary Education
Focuses on legislative and executive policy formulation processes at the state, regional, and national levels. Considers theoretical and conceptual approaches to understanding public policy formation, including the role and function of the major organizational factors at each level and their modes of influence in determining policy for postsecondary education. Examines in depth selected current public policy issues that cut across political levels.
CONCENTRATION COURSES
POLICY PERSPECTIVE COURSES (minimum of 3 credits)
These courses focus on issues related to policy perspectives. Examples of courses that reflect this perspective include:
EDUC 768, The Economics of Education
EDUC 871, National Economic and Financial Issues in Postsecondary Education
EDUC 872, State Government and Higher Education
EDUC 881, Public Policy Research and Analysis in Postsecondary Education
BOUNDARY SPANNING COURSES (minimum of 3 credits)
These courses that span boundaries between institutions and the external environment. Examples of courses that reflect this perspective include:
EDUC 759, Higher Education and Society
EDUC 761, Postsecondary Institutions as Complex Organizations
EDUC 860, Technology in Higher Education
EDUC 863, Planning, Analysis, and Institutional Research
EDUC 865, Evaluation and Assessment in Postsecondary Education
EDUC 870, International and Comparative Higher and Continuing Education
EDUC 873, Race, Ethnicity and Gender in Higher Education
EDUC 874, Law and Higher Education
EDUC 875, Managing Change and Quality in Higher Education Institutions
EDUC 880, Case Studies in Higher Education Management
Students planning to focus in this area should also take the following:
- ADDITIONAL CONCENTRATION AND ELECTIVE COURSES: These should be selected to be consistent with the student’s particular interest in the Public Policy concentration, with approval of the student’s advisor.
- COGNATE COURSES: These should reflect a student’s interest in Public Policy and provide an in-depth focus on some aspect of public policy in postsecondary education. Selection of cognate courses should be discussed with the student’s advisor early in his/her program.
- EDUC 767, Research Practicum in Higher and Continuing Education (minimum of 3 credits) A student’s practicum should focus on a research project related to the Public Policy concentration.
