At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    PhD

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To receive additional information about this program, please complete the Request Information form.

Program Overview

The UMass Lowell Leadership in Education Ph.D. program emphasizes the generation, critical evaluation and application of knowledge in the field of Leadership PK-Higher Education. This doctoral program is appropriate for professionals pursuing a future career in research universities and other policy and research organizations. Students admitted to this degree may study on a part-time or full-time basis. There is no residency requirement for part-time students. There is a limited number of Teaching and Research Assistantships available for suitably qualified full-time students.

The program provides students with an experience that is unique among Leadership Ph.D. programs offered by other universities in the region.

  • Our School of Education (SOE) is large enough to provide access to a diverse range of faculty expertise yet small enough to ensure personalized attention.
  • Our regularly scheduled seminars and meetings ensure the development of collaborative networking and professional relationships.
  • Lowell’s geographic location allows ready access to a wealth of resources, putting students within easy driving distance of urban, suburban, and rural communities of diverse makeup, as well as state government, and non-university research policy centers.

Questions regarding the Leadership in Education Ph.D. should be sent to the Ph.D. Coordinator via email: Hilary_Lustick@uml.edu.

The Leadership in Education Ph.D. program requires 60 credits of study beyond the master's degree.

The degree pathway can be found in the academic catalog.

To qualify for admission to the Ph.D. all applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Candidates should submit a statement of no more than 1,500 words, that responds to two questions:

    1. What are you interested in researching during your doctoral studies, and why?
    2. How would doctoral studies at UMass Lowell advance your career goals?
  • Earned master’s degree from an accredited institution. The most appropriate master’s degree is the M.Ed.; however, other related master’s degrees will be considered if the candidate can demonstrate work experience or knowledge of education policy and/or research. The master’s degree must have been earned with a 3.000 GPA or better.
  • Resume, which highlights the applicant’s education and experience relevant to the degree after completion of the bachelor’s degree.
  • Satisfactory TOEFL scores taken within the last year for international applicants as appropriate.
  • Three letters of recommendation that speak to the suitability of the applicant for advanced graduate work, work ethic and knowledge of the field of education and/or education research.
  • Please submit a writing sample that demonstrates the applicant's ability to present a cohesive, focused and persuasive response to an education issues of his or her choice. The writing sample should be accompanied by a brief note explaining the context in which it was written and identifying the kinds of support received by the applicant producing it. 
  • Interview on-campus or via a video-conferencing tool for those applicants seeking Teaching or Research Assistantships, or for those whose application materials raise unanswered questions.
  • International Students: please see https://www.uml.edu/International-applicants/Application-Requirements/international-grad-admissions.aspx

Application for admission to the Ph.D. program is available online through the Office of Graduate Admissions.

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Information Session

Ph.D. in Education: Leadership and Research and Evaluation in Education Pathways