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

Program Overview

The Research and Evaluation in Education Ph.D. option seeks to prepare individuals with expertise in research methods and program evaluation skills. The degree is designed to not only provide core knowledge, but to heighten the research skills of students by requiring them to work closely with faculty in research experiences prior to commencing their own dissertation.

Because experience with authentic research projects is essential to the education of students in this option, students engage in two research experiences. Students undertake their research experiences after the core course requirements have been met. They may do it in one of two ways:

  • Serving as a UMass Lowell Research Assistant for a faculty project for a minimum of two semesters, or
  • Through two semesters of a 3-credit course (Research Experience I and II) overseen by the doctoral advisor.

Students in the Research and Evaluation in Education Ph.D. option will develop expertise in research methods and program evaluation skills, including:

  • Deep knowledge of historical, philosophical, and theoretical concerns related to the field of research methodology and evaluation
  • Broad knowledge of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches鈥攕imilarities, differences, and concerns--and deep knowledge within a selected area of expertise.
  • Expertise in all phases of research design, conduct and analysis
  • Capacity to take critical perspectives on theoretical and practical issues of research and evaluation methodology
  • Flexibility and capacity with a range of software tools for data collection and analysis
  • Capacity to design and conduct research or program evaluation for diverse problems in diverse settings
  • Capacity to work with research teams and related collaborators in a thoroughly professional and collaborative manner.
  • Capacity to communicate research findings in diverse forms (written, oral, digital, etc.), to diverse audiences.

Questions regarding the Research and Evaluation in Education Ph.D.? Please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below! If you do not see your question answered below, email the Ph.D. Program Coordinator at: Hilary_Lustick@uml.edu.

The Research and Evaluation in Education Ph.D.听prepares graduates of the program to assume research faculty positions in higher education, to work in policy and research institutions or to lend their skills to analysis and evaluation in industry.

For degree pathways and course listings, visit the听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鈥檚 degree from an accredited institution. The most appropriate master鈥檚 degree is the M.Ed.; however, other related master鈥檚 degrees will be considered if the candidate can demonstrate work experience or knowledge of education policy and/or research. The master鈥檚 degree must have been earned with a 3.000 GPA or better.
  • Resume, which highlights the applicant鈥檚 education and experience relevant to the degree after completion of the bachelor鈥檚 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.听
  • 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听/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.

What are the funded opportunities available for students in the School of Education?

Students seeking funded opportunities can apply for a Teaching Assistantship (TA). To be considered, prospective students must submit a TA application form along with their curriculum vitae (CV) to the program coordinator. While there is no strict deadline for TA applications, decisions are typically made twice a year, in October and February. Therefore, we recommend submitting your TA application after being admitted to the School of Education at UMass Lowell (UML).

Steps to Apply for a Teaching Assistantship:

  1. Secure admission to the School of Education at UML.
  2. Fill out and submit the TA application form, included with your acceptance letter.

Note: remember, submitting your application early enhances your chances of being considered during the decision-making periods in October and February. When crafting the final document, consider formatting and visual elements like bold or italic text and bullet points to make it more user-friendly and readable.

Besides Teaching Assistantships, are there Research Assistantship (RA) opportunities available?

Research Assistantship (RA) opportunities depend on whether faculty members currently have research grants and have the budget to hire RAs. The best practice for prospective students is to prepare a curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting experience, skills, and knowledge. After admission to any Ph.D. programs in the School of Education (SOE) at UMass Lowell (UML), students who wish to apply for an RA can email their CV to the program coordinator to be shared with all faculty.

Steps to Express Interest in Research Assistantship:

  1. Secure admission to one of the Ph.D. programs in SOE at UML.
  2. Prepare a detailed CV emphasizing your experience, skills, and knowledge.
  3. Share your CV and express your interest in RA positions to program coordinator.

Note: expressing interest early and having a well-prepared CV can increase your chances of being considered for available RA positions.

What is the approximate yearly amount for the stipend? Are there opportunities in the Summer and Winter terms?

The stipend for the academic year, covering the fall and spring terms (9 months), is approximately $19,200. However, TA and RA stipends do not cover the Summer and Winter terms. During these terms, students usually approach faculty to find research opportunities with hourly pay. The recommended practice is to have a CV ready, which includes a description of the Ph.D. level courses you are taking or have taken, and send this CV to faculty or the program coordinator along with a letter expressing interest in seeking Summer or Winter opportunities with hourly pay.

Is there any specialization offered in this program?

Yes, we offer two Ph.D. programs allowing for specialization:

  1. Leadership in Education
  2. Research and Evaluation in Education
Is a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) / Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score required for application?

No, a GRE/GMAT score is not required for application.

I don't have a master's degree; can I apply for the Ph.D. program?

No. We require a master's degree for applicants to be eligible to apply for our Ph.D. programs.

Is there a specific template for letters of recommendation?

No, there is no specific template required for letters of recommendation.

What is the application review process? Should I contact professors in School of Education before I submit my application?

Once prospective students submit their applications, the program coordinator forwards the applications to the program faculty members for review. This process typically takes one to two weeks as program faculty members meet and discuss each applicant's qualifications. Subsequently, the program coordinator is informed of the decisions.

Students are welcome to contact program faculty members to express interest and seek more information. However, please note that contacting faculty members does not guarantee the award of Teaching Assistantship or Research Assistantship (refer to previous questions regarding TA and RA above for more information on securing these positions).

Is there any deadline for the Ph.D. program application?

No, we accept applications on a rolling basis.

Are the Ph.D. programs open to international students?

Yes, our Ph.D. programs are open to international students.

What are the requirements for Ph.D. program applications?

For detailed information regarding the requirements for Ph.D. program applications, please refer to the information provided on the School of Education Admission Requirements page.

What are the application requirements specifically for international students applying to the Ph.D. program?

For specific application requirements pertinent to international students, please refer to the information available on the International Admissions Graduate Application Requirements page.

I am experiencing issues uploading files to the UML application portal. What should I do?

If you encounter any problems while uploading files to the UMass Lowell (UML) application portal, please seek support by contacting UML Graduate Admissions.

When must applicants to the Education Ph.D. program submit a foreign transcript evaluation, like World Education Services (WES) or Credential Evaluation Services (CED)?

A foreign credential evaluation is not required. If a transcript is written in a language other than English, a complete and official English translation must be uploaded together with the original transcript.

Can previous graduate or professional work be applied as transfer credits?

Since Fall 2009, the policy allows students to transfer a maximum of 6 credits of relevant coursework completed before admission to the School of Education from another accredited institution. However, courses taken at UMass Lowell prior to admission are not considered transfer credits. For more detailed information, please refer to the official policies at UMass Lowell School of Education's Policies webpage.

Can I combine financial aid options with the tuition reimbursement offered by the state, as I work at a Community College in Massachusetts?

For detailed information on how to coordinate financial aid options with state-offered tuition reimbursement, please reach out to Kate King, a Graduation and Academic Progression Specialist at UMass Lowell. You can contact her via email at: Kate_King@uml.edu. She is part of the Office of the Registrar and can provide you with the specific guidance and information you need.

Are Ph.D. programs typically online or in-person?

Both. The Research and Evaluation in Education program and the Leadership in Schooling program are predominantly in-person. Most courses within these programs are conducted in-person. However, there are about 2-3 courses offered online in each program.

Can my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English be used to waive the English proficiency requirement?

For specific details regarding English proficiency requirements for international students, please visit the University of Massachusetts Lowell's International Admissions Graduate Application Requirements page.

Should you have further questions or need clarification, feel free to reach out via email at: Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu.

What is the process for an international student to obtain an application fee waiver?

International students seeking an application fee waiver should directly contact the University of Massachusetts Lowell's Graduate Admissions office. Please send your inquiry via email to: Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu for assistance and further instructions regarding the fee waiver process.