Course Descriptions

Prerequisite Courses

EDUC 271 - Education Policy
This course provides an introduction to the various phases of the public "policy cycle" including problem identification, policy development, policy analysis, political decision making, policy implementation, and policy evaluation.  It also introduces major federal education policies and how they play out at the state and local levels. 

EDUC 298  Introduction to Education Statistics   Fundamentals of quantitative research in terms of design, measurement, and data analysis. For masters students or entering doctoral students who lack prior preparation in quantitative social science research methods.

Core Courses 

EDUC 301 - Ideas, Issues, and Practices in Education
This course explores the philosophies of education, the socio-economic-political contexts of education, and current issues in education. 

EDUC 321 - Economics of Education
This course examines the interdependencies of education and economic policies at the federal, state, and local levels. The course will cover: 1) the relation between education and economic growth 2) economic analyses of policy; and 3) economic theory and principles applied to educational problems. 

EDUC 322 - Education Policy Implementation
This course examines the different mechanisms that the federal and state governments use to exercise leadership, create incentives, and establish accountability in education. 

EDUC 340 - Methods of Policy Analysis in Education
Students examine modes of analysis employed in the study of educational policy issues, including alternative methods of analysis for policy formation, implementation, and impact assessment. The focus is on case studies that incorporate a range of public policy issues and research methods. 

Research Courses

EDUC 281 - Program Evaluation
An overview of education and social program evaluation: social-political contexts, alternative evaluation approaches, methodologies, practical considerations, and interpretations.  The class will design, conduct, and report a real program evaluation.

EDUC 302 - Quantitative Methods: Group Comparison Designs and Analysis
This course deals with comparisons among three and more groups. It includes one- and two-way ANOVA and similar nonparametric analyses. 

EDUC 307 - Qualitative Research Methods
This course provides an introduction to qualitative research approaches such as ethnographies, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and case studies.  The course covers qualitative design, data collection, analysis, and reporting.

EDUC *** - Intermediate and Advanced Research Methods Courses
Intermediate and advanced research methodology courses are offered in the areas of quantitative research, qualitative research, and mixed methods.  The quantitative courses are: Educational Measurement, Predictive Design and Analysis (Regression), Multivariate Analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling.  The qualitative courses are: Ethnographic Research, Phenomenological Research, and Discourse Analysis.  The mixed methods courses are Survey Research and Case Study Research. With permission, intermediate and advanced research methods courses can be taken from other Schools and other local universities. 

EDUC 390 - Pre-Dissertation Seminar
This course is used to help students prepare their dissertation research proposal.  Approval of the proposal by the student's dissertation committee is required for completion of the seminar.
 
Elective Courses

Students may use their electives to take a wide range of courses offered by the Education Policy Program, the Graduate School of Education and Human Development, the George Washington University, and the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Students may also use the electives for supervised individual study and internships.

The program offers several elective courses in Education Policy. Below are three highly recommended courses for doctoral students:

320 The Politics of EducationExamination of the contextual factors (political, economic, and historical) and the nature of political decision making on education issues, primarily at the state and local level. Prerequisite: Educ 271.

323 Policies of Education Equity  Analysis of the development, implementation, and evaluation of education equity policies, with consideration of their context, formulation, and application. Prerequisite: Educ 271.

220.xx  Accountability Issues in Education Analysis of contemporary policies holding educational system accountable to desired performance levels, and the systems and processes of developing, implementing and evaluating them.  Prerequisite: Educ 271.