Programs

Information about faculty and research can be found on the Education Policy website.

AdmissionsLink to section

ApplyingLink to section

The Warner School uses an online self-managed application process. Applicants are required to complete all portions of the online application and submit the following documents through an upload:

• Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Transcripts of all prior college-level work. Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the admissions process; however, official transcripts of all previous post-secondary education are required if admitted to the program, within the first semester the student enrolls.
• Letters of recommendation from members of the academic community and/or workplace professionals who know your qualifications for graduate study are required. Preferably, at least one recommendation should be from a former professor. At least two letters are required for master’s applicants and three for doctoral applicants. Letters of recommendation are managed on the online application.
• A statement of purpose describing your academic or professional background and your interest in pursuing graduate study at Warner is required. The statement of purpose is generally between two and four pages, double-spaced. You can upload a file or cut and paste into the online application.
• An academic writing sample written in English. This may be a term paper from your earlier academic work or a five- or six-page commentary on an issue in education that you have written for this purpose only. The paper should support an academic argument, reference citations, and use a research style sheet.

A $70 application fee is required when submitting the application.

After the application is initially reviewed, candidates may be contacted to schedule an interview with a Warner faculty member. A holistic review of each individual application takes place by the faculty in the program. Warner reviews applications on a rolling basis for MS, CAS, and EdD candidates; applicants typically receive a decision on their application within 4 to 6 weeks from the priority application deadline.

Applying to Master's ProgramsLink to section

Applications are accepted to Warner master’s programs on a rolling admissions basis. Master’s applications require two letters of recommendations.

Applying to Doctoral ProgramsLink to section

Applications are accepted to the PhD program only one time per year, in our December cycle. Applications are accepted to the EdD program on a rolling basis within any of our priority deadlines. Applications to the Doctoral programs are required to submit all of the materials described above. Doctoral applications require three letters of recommendation.

AcademicsLink to section

Master's Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

The Warner School is committed to excellence in pre-service and in-service preparation of education professionals at the master’s level. It maintains programs that prepare students to undertake a wide variety of professional roles in schools and other educational settings. Several of these programs also enable students to satisfy all the academic requirements needed to obtain initial and/or professional certification from New York State or become eligible for licensure. All these programs combine strong emphasis on professional excellence with the University’s commitment to sound scholarship and are nationally accredited by AAQEP (Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation) and/or CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).

All master’s degrees require completion of at least 30 credit hours of coursework, although many MS degree programs require additional credit hours (as indicated for each program listed in this section).

Transfer credit pertains to graduate coursework from another institution or another school or college within the University of Rochester that is completed before the student matriculates into a degree program at the Warner School. Retroactive credit pertains to coursework completed at the Warner School prior to matriculation into a degree program. No more than 10 credit hours may be accepted as transfer credit into a master’s degree. It is possible that a combination of transfer and retroactive credit may exceed 10 credit hours. Transfer credit and retroactive credit are permitted only when they meet the following criteria: (1) must have been taken within five years of the date of matriculation, (2) must have received a grade of B or higher, and (3) must meet the approval of the faculty advisor, program chair, and the associate dean of graduate studies. Courses taken at institutions other than the University of Rochester after matriculation in the master’s degree program may not be used toward the master’s degree.

The total time limit for completing a master’s degree is five years. Requests for extension of this deadline must be submitted in writing to the associate dean of graduate studies. Such extensions, if granted, will be of limited duration and may require additional coursework.

Students may pursue the MS degree on a full-time or part-time basis. In cases that require a field placement (student teaching, practicum, or internship), however, it may be necessary to spend one or two semesters in full-time residence. Policies regarding conditions for fulfillment of field placement responsibilities vary from program to program. All master’s programs require a culminating assessment, although the nature of this assessment varies across programs (master’s essay, thesis, portfolio, or comprehensive exam). Students must maintain continuous registration throughout the program. Continuous registration for part-time students means registration for a total of nine credit hours every academic year sequence of summer-fall-spring semesters until the degree program is completed. If a student does not register for coursework during any fall or spring semester, that student must register for continuation of enrollment for that fall or spring semester. Students have to either register for courses or for continuation of enrollment every fall and spring semester until the degree program is completed. Courses listed below may not include all electives eligible for this program.

Doctoral Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

The Warner School offers two types of doctoral programs: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Education (EdD). The PhD program is designed specifically to prepare students for careers devoted to research and scholarship, particularly in a university environment. The EdD is designed to enable outstanding professionals to apply research to their field of practice.

Both degree programs require 90 credit hours (96 for students specializing in counseling). Students who have already undertaken relevant graduate-level coursework may be allowed to transfer it to their program (up to a limit of 30 credits for PhD students and 36 credits for EdD students) provided that: (l) the course(s) in question was taken within 10 years of the date of matriculation; (2) a grade of “B” or higher was earned; (3) they are approved by the student’s advisor, program chair, and associate dean of graduate studies. If the courses were completed more than 10 years ago, students are required to submit a curriculum vitae and written narrative, describing how they have remained involved in their field of study, to help the advisor, chair, and associate dean to determine whether exceptions could be made. Transfer credit decisions are made at the time of approving each student’s program of study. Courses taken at institutions other than the University of Rochester after matriculation into the doctoral program may not be used toward the doctoral degree.

In addition to coursework, doctoral students also need to successfully complete a set of milestone experiences. First, after having completed at least 18 credits in the program, all doctoral students must submit a portfolio for review. The portfolio review is evaluative, with feedback offered by faculty that is intended to nurture developing research expertise and intellectual and professional development. After passing the portfolio assessment and having completed most of the coursework for the degree, all doctoral students undertake an individualized comprehensive examination. Specific requirements for the comprehensive exam vary by program area. Finally, all doctoral programs culminate in the completion of a doctoral dissertation.

Advancement to candidacy for the PhD or EdD degree occurs upon successful defense of the dissertation proposal. The degree is awarded after completion of all degree requirements, and upon successful oral defense and acceptance of the doctoral dissertation.

All work for the doctoral degree, including the final oral examination on the dissertation, must be completed within seven years from the date of initial registration. Students with 30–36 credit hours accepted in the doctoral program must complete all work within six years from the date of matriculation in the doctoral program. Students who for good reason have been unable to complete a program within the above stated limits may, upon recommendation by the faculty advisor and the program chair, petition the associate dean of graduate studies for an extension of time. Such extension, if granted, will be of limited duration, must be re-approved at least biannually, and it may require additional coursework.

Students must maintain continuous registration through the program. Full-time students must register for at least nine credit hours during every fall and spring semester (excluding summer session) until the degree program is completed. Continuous registration for part-time students means registration for a total of nine credit hours every academic year sequence of summer-fall-spring semesters until the degree program is completed. If a student does not register for coursework during any fall or spring semester, that student must register for continuation of enrollment for that semester. Students have to either register for courses or for continuation of enrollment every fall and spring semester until the program degree is completed.

PhD in Education

The Warner School offers several areas of study within the PhD in Education. Students may concentrate in one of the following areas: Counseling and Counselor Education; Educational Policy and Theory; Higher Education; Human Development; and Teaching, Curriculum, and Change. PhD dissertations should provide an original and scholarly contribution to research in the student’s major field. A minimum of one year full- or part-time residency is required of all PhD students.

The Warner School offers an accelerated option for EdD students who are experienced practitioners in their field of specialization and want to pursue the degree part time while holding a professional job in the same field, with a specially structured and supported yearlong dissertation cohort process. This option makes it possible for eligible students to earn a doctorate in education in as few as three years on a part-time basis for most EdD programs. Additional admission criteria and program requirements must be met by students choosing the accelerated option.

Graduate Course TitlesLink to section

• ED 406: Master's Research Methods
• ED 412: Sociology of Education
• ED 413: Student Affairs Administration:  Academic Support Services
• ED 418: The Family and Social Dynamics
• ED 419: Life Course Studies
• ED 425: Minority Youth Development in Urban Contexts
• ED 430: College Retention:  Theory, Research, and Practice
• ED 432: Professional Writing and Communications
• ED 433: Student Affairs Administration: Admissions and Financial Aid
• ED 434: Student Affairs Administration:  Minority Student Affairs
• ED 436: How Universities Work
• ED 437: Diversity and Equity in Higher Education
• ED 439: Policy Analysis in Education
• ED 461: The Politics of Education
• ED 464: State and Federal Education Policy
• ED 467: Student Affairs Administration:  International Student Affairs
• ED 475: Leadership and Management in Higher Education
• ED 476: Administration of Student Affairs in Higher Education
• ED 479: Human Capital Management in Higher Education
• ED 481: School, Family, and Community Relations
• ED 482: Technology and Higher Education
• ED 483: Communication and Counseling Skills for Teachers, Administrators, and Other Helping Professionals
• ED 484: Student Affairs Administration:  Residential Life
• ED 485: College Students and Student Development Theory
• ED 493: Master’s Research in Education (variable credits)
• ED 504: Quantitative Research Methods
• ED 505: Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
• ED 506: Concepts and Issues in Social Science Research
• ED 507: Qualitative Research Methods
• ED 513: Research Writing: The Literature Review
• ED 520: Program Evaluation
• ED 521: Advanced Program Evaluation
• ED 523: Mixed Research Methods
• ED 524: Survey Design (1 credit)
• ED 525: Interview and Focus Group Techniques (1 credit)
• ED 527: Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
• ED 528: Using Quantitative Data Analysis Software (1 credit)
• ED 540: Program Evaluation Dissertation Proposal Seminar
• ED 541: Program Evaluation Dissertation Seminar I
• ED 542: Program Evaluation Dissertation Seminar II
• ED 543: Decision Making Dissertation Seminar I
• ED 544: Decision Making Dissertation Seminar II
• ED 546: Decision Making Dissertation Proposal Seminar
• ED 593: Ed:D: Research (Dissertation) (variable credits)
• EDE 422 Motivation in Human Development
• EDE 423: Spirituality, Religion, and Healing in Counseling
• EDE 430: Global Issues in Higher Education
• EDE 434: Master's Academic Writing
• EDE 435: Service-Learning, Higher Education, and the Public Good
• EDE 451: Organizational Theory: Theoretical Traditions, Future Directions
• EDE 461: Master's Culminating Requirement: Higher Education
• EDE 466: Educational Legal Theories and Policies
• EDE 479: Assessment, Accreditation and Accountability in Higher Education
• EDE 485: Student Affairs Administration: Student Activities and Fraternity/Sorority Affairs
• EDE 487: The Role and Function of the American Community College in Higher Education
• EDE 550: Comprehensive Exam Research:  K12 Educational Leadership EdD
• EDE 551: Comprehensive Exam Research:  Higher Education EdD
• EDE 553: Comprehensive Exam Research:  Higher Education PhD
• EDE 554: Comprehensive Exam Research:  Educational Policy & Theory PhD
• EDE 555: Comprehensive Exam Research: Counseling & Human Development PhD
• EDE 557: Comprehensive Exam Research: Teaching & Curriculum PhD
• EDE 560: Portfolio Review: Ed Leadership
• EDE 561: Portfolio Review: Teaching & Curriculum
• EDE 562: Portfolio Review: Counseling & Human Development
• EDF 497: Supervised Internship in Higher Education (variable credits)
• EDF 558: Supervised Internship in Counselor Education I (Doctoral)
• EDF 559: Supervised Internship in Counselor Education II (Doctoral)
• EDU 411: Education Finance Issues in K-12 School Systems
• EDU 413: Contemporary Issues in Education Policy
• EDU 416: Understanding and Managing Conflict in Professional Organizations
• EDU 446: Entrepreneurial Skills for Educators
• EDU 454: Career Counseling and Development
• EDU 455: Policy and Practice in Developmental Differences
• EDU 470: Multicultural Perspectives in Counseling
• EDU 479: Promoting Mental Health in Midlife and Old Age
• EDU 485: College Access and (In)Equity
• EDU 490: Higher Education Law
• EDU 492: Governance, Policy, and Administration of Higher Education
• EDU 493: History of Higher Education
• EDU 494: Adult Development and Aging
• EDU 496: Fiscal Issues in Higher Education
• EDU 504: Economics of Education
• EDU 510: Working with Clients Defenses: Psychodynamic and other Emotion-Focused Approaches
• EDU 514: Mind/Body Approaches to Healing Chronic Pain
• EDU 515: Decision Making for Educational Leaders I: Analyzing Problems in Schools and Universities
• EDU 516: Decision Making for Educational Leaders II: Making Decisions in Schools and Universities
• EDU 522: Theory and Research in Learning
• EDU 523: Theory and Research in Teaching
• EDU 526: Theory and Research in Curriculum and Change
• EDU 552: Counselor Education
• EDU 553: Counselor Supervision
• EDU 554: Advanced Theory, Research, and Practice in Group Work
• EDU 555: Advanced Counseling Theory, Research, and Practice
• EDU 557: Selected Theories of Human Development
• EDU 560: Research in Cognitive Development
• EDU 563: Advocacy, Consulting, and Systems Change as Counseling and Human Development Practice
• EDU 564: Contemporary Trends in Mental Health, Appraisal, Intervention and Research
• EDU 565: Research in Life Course Studies
• EDU 572: Development of Selves
• EDU 576: Contemporary Issues in Higher Education