Admissions Deadline: December 1
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Educational Administration with an emphasis in PK-12 Educational Leadership
The Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Educational Administration prepares candidates for culturally-responsive leadership and the skills needed to teach, conduct research, and provide leadership in faculty, researcher, and/or policy analyst positions at the university level.
This program is designed for those individuals who intend to build an academic career focused on conducting research in the multidisciplinary field of educational leadership. This academic program will prepare individuals for careers in research universities, teaching colleges, and private, non-profit, state or federal educational agencies. Individual students will work alongside highly-regarded educational administration and policy faculty with expertise in areas including school accountability, educational law, educational leadership, organizational theory, policy and politics of education, school finance and economics, social foundations of schooling, and education reform.
The Ph.D. program is not built on a cohort model, since there is diversity in candidates’ programs of study.
Collaborative Degree Program (CDP) with the Bush School
Bush School Students who would like to start the CDP and enroll in Ph.D. courses in their second year of graduate studies need to submit their application materials by 5/1.
The PK-12 Education Administrative Ph.D. program offers a collaborative master’s level degree in Public Service and Administration (MPSA) with the Bush School. This collaborative degree program (CDP) is designed for those individuals who intend to build an academic career focused on conducting research in the multidisciplinary field of education policy. This unique academic program will prepare individuals for careers in research universities and teaching colleges as well as for careers in consultancies or educational agencies of all types (private, non-profit, local, state, federal or international). Students will work alongside a collection of highly-regarded public policy and education faculty with expertise in areas including economics of education, educational law, educational leadership, organization theory, human resource development, organizational effectiveness, organizational development and change, politics of education, school accountability, school finance, social foundations of schooling, and school improvement strategies.
As part of this specialized program of study, students will attain knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct high quality research, present papers at scholarly conferences, and submit research articles for publication. Ultimately, students who successfully complete all CDP requirements will receive both a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development, in the College of Education and Human Development, and a Master of Public Service and Administration (MPSA) degree from the Bush School of Government and Public Service.
CDP Admission Requirements
In order to pursue this CDP, students must obtain acceptance to both the PhD program in Educational Administration in the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development and the MPSA program.
To be considered for acceptance, we will review the applicants’ undergraduate and graduate transcripts and GRE scores. Additionally, we request that applicants submit
- A professional résumé/CV
- Names and contact information (email address) for two faculty members from the Bush School who the applicant would like to serve as references.
Please send application materials and any questions you have about the CDP or admissions to Dr. Daniel Bowen.
ADMISSIONS
To be admitted to a graduate program, you must apply to the EAHR department and Texas A&M University.
How to ApplyProgram Details
Degree: PhD in Educational Administration
Emphasis: PK-12 Educational Leadership
Degrees Offered: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Credit Hours: 72
*Select College of Education and update credit hours
Degree Plan
The Ph.D. degree plan includes quality course work and research experiences, preparing students to be involved in research.
Frequently Asked Questions
I AM INTERESTED IN APPLYING TO THIS PROGRAM. HOW CAN I STRENGTHEN MY APPLICATION?
All prospective Ph.D. students are highly encouraged to meet with a program faculty member prior to applying to the program. This will allow the prospective student to ask questions about the program to ensure the program will meet their needs. Also, since faculty members make admission decisions, this is an opportunity for prospective students to find out what the programs are looking for in applicants.
Prospective students are encouraged to apply early, especially if they are wanting to be considered for awards, such as fellowships and assistantships.
ARE GRE SCORES REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION TO THE PhD PROGRAM? WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM GRE SCORES REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION?
All PhD applicants must provide official GRE scores. These scores must have been taken within the past five years to be considered up to date. To be considered official, scores must be sent directly from ETS to the TAMU Graduate Admissions Office.
There is not a minimum score required for admission to the program. Faculty reviewers base admission on the overall application. This includes GPR, work experience, interview questions, writing samples, as well as GRE scores.
To be competitive for one of the fellowships, it is recommended applicants score above 300 overall.
HOW SOON CAN I APPLY?
Applications for the PhD program are accepted August 1-December 1, for the following Fall semester. It is recommended applicants submit all application materials in advance of the deadline to ensure a complete application when reviews begin.
HOW DO I APPLY TO THIS PROGRAM?
Completed Application: A completed Texas A&M University GraduateCAS application. The name on your application must match your name as it appears in your passport. Application Fee: A non-refundable $89 application fee for domestic applicants and $114 application fee for international applicants. The application fee may be paid by check, money order or approved credit card. Applicants who wish to pay by credit card may do so as part of the online application. If you are unable to pay the fee online, you may call the Graduate Admissions Office at 979-845-1060. Official Transcripts and Records: Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. NOTE: You do not need to submit an official transcript from Texas A&M University. For information on submitting official transcripts to Texas A&M University, please visit their website.
How to Apply: Doctoral Application Information
WHAT TYPES OF FUNDING ARE AVAILABLE TO PhD STUDENTS?
Full-time PhD students are eligible to apply for Graduate Assistantships. These assistantships pay for nine hours of tuition, as well as a monthly stipend. These assistantships range from assisting with courses, teaching undergraduate courses, and assisting with research.
Full-time students are also eligible to be nominated (by faculty) for a fellowship. These fellowships are competitive, so prospective students are encouraged to have their admission applications submitted early. They are also encouraged to meet with faculty members in the program to discuss their interest in the program, as well as being considered for an award.
Students who are not full-time can contact the Student Financial Aid office for other funding opportunities available to graduate students.
Contact Advisors

Devyn Cima
Academic Advisor II

Kerri Smith
Director of Academic Advising
Faculty

Mario Torres
Professor and Department Head

Daniel Bowen
Assistant Professor

Beverly Irby
Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Jean Madsen
Associate Department Head

Gwendolyn Webb-Hasan
Associate Professor / Administration Program Coordinator

Carl Fahrenwald
Assistant Clinical Professor

Susan Holley
Associate Clinical Professor/Director, Administrative Leadership Institute

Abe Saavedra
Professor of Practice
