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Apply to the Higher Education Ph.D. Concentration

The UConn Neag School of Education’s Ph.D. in Learning, Leadership, and Education Policy offers four concentrations, one of which being Higher Education, Racial Justice, and Decolonization (HERJD). The Ph.D. program and its concentrations are designed for students interested in working in academic settings, becoming researchers, or working in other settings.

Ph.D. applications are due by December 1 for admission the following Fall. Applicants who submit by December 1 will be considered for funding opportunities (e.g., research and teaching graduate assistantships). Applications are welcome after December 1 but may not be eligible for funding.

Requirements

  • Generally, applicants must hold a master's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Generally, students must have one of the following to be considered:
    • A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.2 for the entire undergraduate record, or
    • A GPA of at least 3.2 for the last two undergraduate years, or
    • Excellent work in the entire final undergraduate year (3.5 or better), or
    • Graduate work with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better (minimum of 9 Graduate credits required)

Unfortunately the Graduate School and therefore the Higher Education, Racial Justice and Decolonization Ph.D. concentration are unable to consider applicants who do not meet the criteria above.

Please note the Department of Educational Leadership does not require GRE scores for any of its graduate programs. As a result, GRE scores are not required for admission to the Ph.D. concentration in Higher Education Racial Justice and Decolonization. If they are submitted, they will not be reviewed as part of your application.

Application Instructions

To be considered for admission to the HERJD Concentration, the applicant must submit the materials listed below, along with a completed UConn Graduate School online application, by December 1:

  • Transcripts of all collegiate work completed to date, graduate and undergraduate
  • Submit a 2-3 page (double-spaced, 12-point font) written personal statement. In your statement address your:
    • Reasons for pursuing the degree
    • Background, experiences, and/or qualifications for the program and concentration to which you are applying
    • Research interests
    • Professional goals, and how the Ph.D. degree relates to those goals
  • Submit a professional or academic writing sample (no more than 10 pages). If applicable, include a brief explanation of how this work relates to your research interests. The writing sample should demonstrate your scholarly thinking, academic or research writing skills, and ability to synthesize information. Examples of appropriate writing samples include, but are not limited to, undergraduate or graduate thesis, research paper, or literature review. If your original writing sample exceeds 10 pages, please submit an excerpt
  • Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Complete the Residence Affidavit
  • Names and email addresses for 3 individuals who can submit letters of recommendation on your behalf. Recommendations should explicitly address your readiness to perform in a doctoral- level program. Recommenders may address such attributes as your analytical thinking skills, writing skills, research or inquiry skills, creativity, initiative, collegiality, time management skills, etc.
  • Please note the Department of Educational Leadership does not require GRE scores for any of its graduate programs. As a result, GRE scores are not required for admission to the Ph.D. concentration in Higher Education Racial Justice and Decolonization. If they are submitted, they will not be reviewed as part of your application.

Applicants may be asked to participate in an interview with program faculty. The interview may be conducted in-person or via video.

When completing the online application form, under Intended Program, please select:

  • Levels of Study: PhD/Doctoral
  • Academic Areas: Education 
  • Program: Learning, Leadership, and Education Policy PhD
  • Concentration: Higher Education Racial Justice and Decolonization
  • Campus: Storrs
  • Entry Term: Appropriate fall semester