Master's Programs
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Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Human Development, Early Childhood Policy
School of Education & Human Development
Overview
Degree: PhD
Classroom Type: Online and on campus classes
Prepares candidates to be leaders, policymakers, policy advisors and analysts, faculty members, and researchers. Graduates will shape, direct, implement and evaluate early childhood services, infrastructure, and policy and contribute to the scholarly knowledge that undergirds the discipline.
Application​ deadlines
Application opens Summer 2025
Program Details
Interest Categories: Education & Counseling Public Administration & Policy
Campus: CU Denver
Given its unprecedented growth over the past five decades, the early childhood field has focused most of its efforts on program expansion and on the provision of high-quality services for young children. Although there is increasing attention to enhancing equity, most work in the field concentrates on practice improvement. Typically, this is pedagogical in nature, either for children or by the workforce. CU Denver’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with a concentration in Early Childhood Policy tilts this focus. The program suggests that without specialized attention to policy, it is difficult for the field to achieve quality, equity, and scale. The concentration holds institutional and system reform as its units of change.
Students in this concentration will
- Prepare for leadership positions in government, private sector, and public sector organizations. These positions require individuals who can create systemic, institutional, and equity infused ECE policy change.
- Prepare for positions in higher education and policy-focused research think-tanks. Students will advance the scholarship in the field.
- Learn policy theories and existing ECE policy research. This is done with the goal to shape, direct, implement and evaluate early childhood services, infrastructure, and policy for the future.
- Contribute to new research efforts. Focus on creating more equitable outcomes and new understandings of complex ECE policy issues.
- Benefit from close mentorship by national faculty leaders in ECE policy.
- Culminate the program with a dissertation that contributes to the knowledge base in the field of early childhood policy.
- Enter a dynamic field with burgeoning research about the critical years in children's brain development, learning, and health.
Program of Study
The core course rotation begins every fall. Students complete a plan of study that includes at least 48 semester credits of coursework. Additionally, there are 27-semester credits of dissertation. PhD coursework is intensive and substantive. The curriculum requires significant writing, analysis, and critique of theory and professional literature. All students in the Early Childhood Policy concentration take 12 credits in foundational courses. This is coupled with 3 credits in professional seminars, 18 credits in research methods courses. On top of this, students will take 15 credits in concentration area courses (including two electives). Students will also complete a research apprenticeship and higher education teaching practicum or equivalent experience.
The curriculum includes a combination of on-campus, hybrid, remote, and online courses each semester.
Every student must be available to attend on-campus courses each semester.
Recommended Completion Time:4 to 8 years
Required Credits for Completion:75 Credits
Admission Requirements
We encourage students to review the concentration area choices on our website and we require that interested applicants contact one or more of the faculty associated with that concentration area for an appointment to discuss the program prior to submitting their application. This ensures the students have an opportunity to discuss their research area of interest, as well as introduce themselves to the faculty. Also, the financial support we provide our PhD students is often tied to federal and state funding decisions, so meeting with a faculty member will let you know if any funding opportunities will be available in the upcoming year.
As part of gaining admission to the PhD program, students are paired with a doctoral faculty advisor/mentor. The doctoral faculty may request a personal interview to complement the information provided in the application materials.
Application Dates
Application will open Summer 2025 for Fall 2026 admission
Application Requirements
- Minimum requirements:
- Master's degree or equivalent
- 3.5 GPA in graduate-level course work recommended
- Recommendation Letters: three letters; two letters should come from faculty in a university program in which you were previously enrolled
- Official Transcripts from all institutions attended
- Resume/CV: Applicants must have and show evidence of relevant professional and/or academic experience.
- Written Statement: In 4-6 pages (double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font or larger), discuss professional/educational experiences that led you to seeking a PhD, your research interests and their relationships to problems you have identified in the field, and a potential advisor with which you would like to work.
- Writing Example: Examples include but are not limited to: Master's thesis or other course/seminar papers for prior coursework, and/or published materials such as articles, book chapters, and technical reports.
- Application Fee: $50.00
- Admissions Interview: Applicants who advance to the interview phase will be contacted to participate in an interview with concentration area faculty.
- International Applicants only: Proof of English Language Proficiency (International applicants should review the following information regarding English language proficiency)
For more information, email Kristie Kauerz.
Choose CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development
You can trust CU Denver to provide an education that will prepare you for excellence in your career as a faculty member or researcher. The university and school are recognized for preparing leaders of distinction who value educational excellence and social justice. Additionally, CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development is counted among U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools,” making us one of the top education schools in the country.