About
The Urban Education Doctoral Program (UEDP) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is an interdepartmental program preparing scholars to study, research, and analyze contemporary educational issues within urban settings.
The program prepares academic researchers and scholar-practitioners to work in a variety of urban settings. This work contributes to the improvement of urban education locally and globally. Students apply and are admitted to specific transcript designated specializations in the program.
Our students are often working professionals, while some are full-time students. Most of them have already earned master’s degrees at the time of application. They include current K-12 school administrators, teachers, higher education professionals such as student affairs staff and advisors, higher education instructors, community leaders, and non-profit administrators.
Our graduates work in a wide range of settings, such as colleges and universities as higher education faculty and administrators; preK – 12 education institutional leaders; curriculum consultants, and in a variety of positions in healthcare, government agencies, and the private sector.
Why choose our program?
- Our program combines a specialization focus with interdisciplinary coursework, providing students with the broad knowledge base required for working within and understanding complex urban settings.
- More than 50 faculty members support this high quality, research-intensive degree program. All faculty maintain active research and publication records.
- Classes are generally offered in the evenings, one day a week, and many are offered online, to serve the many working students in our program. Credits required may vary depending on the master’s credits accepted and the type of specialization.
- Students can apply for a range of university-wide fellowships, and a number of students are supported by research assistantships funded by faculty grants.
Applicants choose from the following specializations listed below.
Specializations
(ACHEL)
Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Leadership (ACHEL) Specialization Guide (PDF)
This specialization is committed to the development of reflective administrative practitioners and leaders of a wide variety of urban organizations. These include post-secondary institutions (e.g. comprehensive colleges and universities, vocational and technical schools, and two-year centers, health care organizations, business and industry organizations, community agencies, religious organizations, and others. Doctoral students receive research-based preparation to fill several roles within these organizations such as Professor and Scholar, Administrative/Manager, Program Planner/Developer, Instructor/Trainer, Consultant, Counselor, and others.
Simone C. O. Conceição
Professor
Department of Administrative Leadership
simonec@uwm.edu
Required Courses and Other Specialization Details
The program is designed to permit students to integrate their particular media and curricular interests in art and art education with theoretical knowledge and educational practices tied to the contexts of urban education and community studies. An art education specialization provides each graduate student with opportunities for growth as an artist, teacher, and researcher through the development of their own arts practices and the study of the social and cultural implications of the arts in society and among learners. The program emphasizes the exploration of media, the development of socially responsive art curricula in urban environments, and research using disciplines of inquiry in the arts and art education.
Curriculum & Instruction Specialization Guide (PDF)
The specialization in Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) gives students an opportunity to improve professional experiences with the students they teach, the educational contexts in which they work, and their disciplinary and content knowledge. The Curriculum and Instruction specialization combines theoretical and disciplinary content knowledge, practical experiences and scholarly activities.
The program prepares education professionals to work in such varied settings as schools, colleges and universities, school district central offices, government agencies, community organizations and private consulting. Graduates of the program are prepared for leadership roles as curriculum directors, instructional coordinators, school partnership coordinators, applied researchers, professional development coordinators and professors.
Tracy Posnanski
Associate Professor
Department of Teaching and Learning
tjp@uwm.edu
Required Courses and Other Specialization Details
Educational Administration Specialization Guide (PDF)
The specialization in Educational Administration focuses on the development of educational leaders, particularly for service in urban metropolitan areas. Individuals trained in this program can provide excellence in leadership by nurturing leadership among others in the school community, creating a positive work environment for students, staff, and parents, and lastly contribute to the quality of teaching and learning in the district and within its schools. The curriculum draws from a variety of sources including current research and literature, national and state professional association standards, federal and state governmental guidelines, and the field of practice.
Rod Whiteman
Assistant Professor
Department of Administrative Leadership
whitemar@uwm.edu
Exceptional Education Specialization Guide (PDF)
Emphasizing collaborative work between students and faculty, the Exceptional Education specialization examines and addresses critical issues in the field within the urban context. Focus areas include: Teacher education, cultural diversity in education, early childhood intervention, assistive technology, curriculum accommodation & collaboration, literacy, transition to young adulthood, deaf education, school reform and special education administration.
In addition to advanced coursework, students participate in research and development projects, curriculum development, co-teaching, and other activities designed to prepare leaders for roles such as college or university professor, curriculum leader, special education administrator, consultant, or project director.
Nancy Rice
Associate Professor
Department of Teaching and Learning
nerice@uwm.edu
Mathematics Education Specialization Guide (PDF)
The specialization in Mathematics Education integrates mathematical knowledge for teaching, urban education, research methods, and leadership for mathematics programs. Doctoral students engage in practice-based inquiry on significant issues and developments in mathematics education, including equity and access to high-quality mathematics programs, development of mathematical reasoning and understanding, and high-leverage mathematics teaching practices.
The program prepares education professionals to address critical issues in mathematics education across varied settings and contexts, including colleges and universities, school districts, governmental agencies, and community and private organizations. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles as mathematics education specialists, mathematics professional development providers, applied researchers, professors, and mathematics teacher educators.
DeAnn Huinker
Professor
Department of Teaching & Learning
huinker@uwm.edu
Multicultural Studies Specialization Guide (PDF)
Multicultural Studies is a fully interdepartmental specialization, offering a unique program of studies with an emphasis on integrating intercultural theory and practice in urban educational and community settings. Enhanced by study in anthropology, history and sociology, students gain depth and breadth in a dynamic specialization that prepares one for the unique challenges of the 21st century.
Rajeswari Swaminathan
Professor
Educational Policy & Community Studies
Social Foundations of Education Specialization Guide (PDF)
The Ph.D. in Social Foundations of Education provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the social forces that affect urban schools and communities. This program is designed for individuals who want to look deeply at the challenges facing urban areas in the 21st Century and are willing to explore creative solutions. Students in Social Foundations examine the sociological, historical, philosophical, anthropological, and political dimensions of schools and community change. Social foundations doctoral students may investigate issues and contexts grounded in the core disciplines of the social sciences.
Raquel Farmer-Hinton
Associate Professor
Department of Educational Policy & Community Studies
rfarhin@uwm.edu
Courses
Urban Education Doctoral Program Course Content
- Introduction to urban education
- Qualitative and quantitative methods
- Interdisciplinary doctoral seminars
- Each specialization has its own additional course requirements
Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Leadership (ACHEL)
Art Education (The Art Education Specialization will not be accepting new applications at this time).
Educational Administration (The Education Administration specialization is not accepting new applications at this time).
Students
For Current Students & Advisors
Urban Education Doctoral Program Handbook 2019-2020 (PDF)
“Cheat Sheet” of Key UEDP Guidelines and Policies (PDF)
UEDP Required Course Offerings by Cohort (PDF)
The purpose of the plan of studies is to assist you in carefully planning and executing a coherent program of coursework. You may use the Plan of Studies as a planning document in dialogue with your advisor. You must submit to the UEDP office a completed plan of studies by the fourth semester after being admitted to the Doctoral Program.
External Member Approval Form (DOC)
This form must be completed when a doctoral committee is comprised of two or more members that are from a different department than the specialization that you are enrolled in or if the external members are from a different institution other than the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.
Doctoral preliminary examinations, or “prelims,” as they are commonly called, are designed to assess a doctoral candidate’s mastery of subject knowledge and application skills, and ensure adequate preparation for individual dissertation research. The Application for Preliminary Examinations must be completed after all coursework is complete. Students must complete the electronic Application for the Doctoral Preliminary Examination, located in the online Doctoral Milestones System, found by clicking the link above.
Application for Dissertator Status
The Application for Dissertator Status must be completed after Preliminary Examinations have successfully been completed. Students must complete the electronic Application for Dissertator Status, located in the online Doctoral Milestones System, found by clicking the link above.
Note: Students in programs such as ACHEL, Educational Administration, and Social Foundations of Education that combine the Preliminary Examinations and Proposal Hearing must fill out this form after completing their proposal hearing.
Application for Dissertation Proposal Hearing
The Application for Dissertation Proposal Hearing must be completed when the student has scheduled the defense of their dissertation proposal. Students must complete the electronic Application for Dissertation Proposal Hearing form, located in the online Doctoral Milestones System, found by clicking the link above.
Application for the Doctoral Dissertation Defense and Graduation
The Application for the Doctoral Dissertation Defense and Graduation form must be completed one month prior to the final defense of the student’s dissertation is held. Students must also adhere to graduation deadlines set by the university by applying for graduation using PAWS. Graduation Application deadlines can be found on the Graduate School’s Graduation Dates & Deadlines webpage.
Financial Support
Students in the Urban Education Doctoral Program (UEDP) are eligible to compete for a variety of types of financial aid.
Faculty
Cheryl Baldwin, PhD, Associate Professor
Barbara Bales, PhD, Associate Professor
Maggie Bartlett, PhD, Associate Professor
Craig Berg, PhD, Professor
Simone Conceição, PhD, Professor
Kimberly Cosier, PhD, Professor
Candance Doerr-Stevens, PhD, Associate Professor
Dave Edyburn, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Leanne Evans, PhD, Associate Professor
Raquel Farmer-Hinton, PhD, Associate Professor
Tania Habeck, PhD, Associate Professor
Jeffrey Hawkins, PhD, Associate Professor
DeAnn Huinker, PhD, Professor
Sara Jozwik, PhD, Assistant Professor
Julie Kailin, PhD, Associate Professor
Larry Martin, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Laura Owens, PhD, Associate Professor
Donna Pasternak, PhD, Professor
Tracy Posnanski, Associate Professor
Kalyiani Rai, PhD, Associate Professor
Nancy Rice, PhD, Associate Professor
Dante Salto, PhD, Assistant Professor
Marie Sandy, PhD, Associate Professor
Aaron Schutz, PhD, Professor
Ruth Short, PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus
Michael Steele, PhD, Professor
Raji Swaminathan, PhD, Professor
Javier Tapia, PhD, Associate Professor
Alfonzo Thurman, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Leigh Wallace, PhD, Assistant Professor
Rodney Whiteman, PhD, Assistant Professor
Gary Williams, PhD, Associate Professor
Applicants
Application Deadlines
Students should apply by December 1st of the year prior to entry, or earlier, if they plan to apply for University-wide fellowships. Applications completed after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis up until April 1 for Fall admission of that calendar year.
Application materials MUST be submitted by April 1 in order to be admitted for the fall semester. Please note that it is not possible to officially start in the UEDP program in the spring.
New and Current Student Deadline to Apply for University-wide Fellowships
December 20: Program Deadline for applying for University-wide Fellowships (Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowship, Distinguished Dissertation Fellowship, Advanced Opportunity Program Fellowship). Visit the Graduate School Fellowship & Award Guidelines webpage for more information.
How to Apply
Urban Education Doctoral Program Requirements and Materials
1. Grade Point Average (GPA)
Applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 and a Masters GPA of 3.5. If you have repeated any coursework, the undergraduate GPA calculation includes both attempts in your repeated coursework.
Helpful Hints: If you have grades that do not reflect your potential for a doctoral program, please craft your application packet to reflect your strengths. Ideas include any evidence of or written narratives about the experiences (i.e., prior course work, work experiences, research experiences, community involvement) that can enhance and/or align with doctoral specialization program foci and faculty expertise.
2. Graduate School Application
Applicants are required to submit the UWM Graduate School online application. The link to the online application can be found at graduateschool-apply.uwm.edu. Navigate to Apply Now and click the menu for the School of Education. Then, click Urban Education PhD and choose the link to your intended specialization.
3. Transcripts
All applicants, including UWM students, must upload an official or unofficial transcript directly in the online application for all work done at higher education/post-secondary institutions. Be sure to check into the cost of an unofficial transcript as this might be more cost effective.
All applicants who are admitted to the Graduate School will be required to submit an official transcript with the degree posted within two weeks of the beginning of their first term of enrollment. Official transcripts are received by the graduate school directly from the issuing institution. UWM students will not have to submit their official, degree-bearing transcripts.
Please provide explanations of grades (if applicable) with your Reasons Statement that showcase experiences gaining skills and knowledge through work, research, or community involvement that align with the doctoral specialization you are applying to.
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
An official copy of your GRE scores should be sent to the Graduate School (Institution Code 1473 for the paper-based test). More information on the GRE can be found on the Educational Testing Service website.
*For applicants to the Fall 2021 term, the GRE requirement can be waived per program approval. Applicants without advanced knowledge in statistics may be admitted on the condition that they successfully complete graduate-level coursework in educational statistics in their first year.
Helpful Hints: If your GRE performance does not reflect your potential for a doctoral program, please craft your application packet to reflect your strengths. Ideas include any evidence of or written narratives about the experiences (i.e., prior course work, work experiences, research experiences, community involvement) that can enhance and/or align with doctoral specialization program foci and faculty expertise.
5. Recommendations
The program requires 3 letters of recommendation. These letters must be submitted through the application’s electronic recommendation feature by the recommenders themselves. Letters uploaded or sent by the applicant will not be accepted.
Helpful Hints: If possible, please provide your recommenders with a summary of your application materials. Feel free to encourage your recommenders to provide illustrations linking your experiences and abilities with the aims of the doctoral specialization.
6. Reasons Statement
An essential part of your application, the Reasons Statement is used to determine the appropriateness of your educational and professional goals and serves as an example of your ability to express yourself in writing. In the statement:
- Explain your reasons for pursuing graduate study.
- Describe specific interests and your background in the field.
- List any relevant skills or training you have acquired.
- List relevant academic awards or honors you have received.
Helpful Hints: If possible, please be specific about how your reasons for pursuing graduate study align with the doctoral specialization and faculty expertise by reviewing program and faculty webpages. If available, please include any evidence of or written narratives about your experiences (i.e., prior course work, work experiences, research experiences, community involvement). Feel free to make a connection between how your background, reasons, and experiences can contribute to the UEDP community. If feasible, please mention how your writing sample reflects your background, reasons, experiences, and/or contributions to the UEDP community.
7. Writing Sample
Applicants must submit a writing sample completed within the last five years. The writing sample must be single authored, at least 1500 words, and must be selected from ONE of the following options:
- Master’s Thesis
- Undergraduate Senior Thesis
- Technical Reports
- Term Paper
- Publication
- Written Description of Project
- Action Research Project
- A writing sample or written response showing evidence of analytical and argumentative writing and reasoning. The response should address the following: How would you go about determining and analyzing issues in urban education?
The response to this question must show evidence of appropriate references to a knowledge base.
8. Interview
Please contact the doctoral specialization faculty prior to applying to have an initial conversation or touch point based on program logistics, fit/match, and transparency regarding interview expectations.
9. International Applicants
If you are an international applicant, please visit the Center for International Education to begin your application process.
10. Fee/s
A $75 application fee is required of all applicants. If you are applying to a doctoral program and already hold a UWM master’s degree, you do not need to pay the application fee. If you have any questions about your application, please contact the Office of Student Services directly at soeinfo@uwm.edu.
11. Deadlines
The preferred deadline for fall admission is December 1. Having your application materials in by that date will ensure that you are able to apply for all the available forms of financial assistance that are available to you on our campus.
Application materials MUST be submitted by April 1 in order to be admitted for the fall semester. Please note that it is not possible to officially start in the UEDP program in the spring.
The Urban Education PhD Application Checklist (PDF) may be a helpful resource. For more information on international admissions, please visit the Center for International Education.
12. Urban Education Doctoral Student Association
The Urban Education Doctoral Student Association believes that the exceptional preparation of academic researchers and scholar-practitioners can contribute to the improvement of urban education locally and globally. The Urban Education Doctoral Student Association advocates for Urban Education Doctoral students on campus by providing community, support, and resources for students.
Financial Support
Students admitted into the Urban Education Doctoral Program (UEDP) are eligible to compete for a variety of types of financial aid. Applicants are also eligible to apply, pending acceptance.