Educational Policy Studies, MSEDU

The M.S. in Educational Policy Studies is designed for students who are interested in examining education policy through contextual and analytical lenses. These perspectives include: historical and philosophical, cultural and comparative, or social and political. This degree also provides students with a core suite of policy analysis tools, including courses in quantitative and qualitative research methods. Students in this program will be prepared for a variety of professional and academic placements, including policy analysis, K-16 professional advancement, or further doctoral study. 

Admission Requirements 

• UK Graduate School Application 

• Official transcripts for all previous coursework completed at any institution of higher education,  

• A 250 word statement of purpose describing the student’s intellectual and professional goals for completing the program 

• Two letters of reference with at least one from a referee familiar with the students’ academic work 

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; apply anytime. 

Degree Requirements

• The program requires 31 hours of coursework culminating in an individualized master’s exam during the final semester. 
• All EPE students are required to take EPE601 Proseminar (1 credit hour) during their first semester of study in the department. 
• Core Classes include EPE 602 Social Policy Issues or 661 Sociology of Education, EPE640 Philosophy of Education, and EPE555 Comparative Education or EPE665 Education and Culture  
• Choice of Concentration (9 credit hours chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor) 
  • Historical & Philosophical (e.g., EPE 628 ,  EPE 651 , EPE 652 , EPE 653 ) 
  • Cultural & Comparative (e.g., EPE 554, EPE 555 , EPE 667 ) 
  • Social & Political (e.g., EPE 525 , EPE 603 , EPE 661 , EPE 670 , EPE 675 ) 
• Research Methods & Statistics: (minimum 9 credit hours) 
  • One Research Methods/Evaluation Course (e.g., EPE 620 , EPE 663 , EPE 797 ) 
  • One Statistics Course (e.g., EPE 557 , EPE 558 , EPE 660 ) 
  • One Additional Course (e.g., any of above or EPE 522 , EPE 619 , EPE 621 , EPE 763 ) 
• Elective Course (3 credit hours of any elective chosen in consultation with advisor) 
• A student’s program of study may vary from this structure if they receive approval from their major advisor. 
• Students may include an EPE graduate certificate in Research Methods or Comparative & International Education as part of their MS EPS program. 

Education.uky.edu/EPE