Department
Chair: Joseph B. Berger
Room 155, Hills House South; (413) 545-3610
jbberger@educ.umass.edu
Mission: The Department of Educational Policy, Research, and Administration
(E.P.R.A.) seeks to promote educational policy and perspectives needed
to enrich educational practices, prepare leaders in educational policy
and administration, and advance educational research and evaluation methodologies
that provide the basis for effective knowledge generation and decision
making, particularly in regard to three major settings: K-12 schooling,
higher or post-secondary education, and international contexts. Towards
this end, the Department of E.P.R.A. maintains research-oriented graduate
programs of study, practitioner-oriented graduate programs of study, and
organized academic outreach projects (with close ties to programs of study).
Graduate Academic Programs of Study: The academic programs of study in the Department of Educational Policy, Research and Administration are designed to promote critical understanding, skills acquisition, and values development in relation to: (a) educational decision-making, planning, and policy development; (b) effective implementation, administration, and leadership; and (c) modes of conceptualization and inquiry. All graduate students develop skills in four competency areas:
- Modes of Inquiry (students develop knowledge of modes of inquiry in education and the ability to use these methods for research and practical purposes);
- Theories/Paradigms (students develop knowledge of the major paradigms and theories of education and the ability to use this knowledge for research and practical purposes);
- Communication Skills (students develop the ability to communicate effectively in writing, orally, and electronically);
- Policy Studies (students learn how to analyze, develop, implement, or evaluate policy and learn how to use this knowledge for research and practical purposes).
Doctoral (Ed.D.) programs of study are offered in the following areas:
Practitioner (M.Ed.) programs of study are offered in the following areas:
The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.) is offered in the following areas:
- Education Policy and Leadership
- Educational Administration
- Higher Education
- International Education
- Policy Studies in Education
The Department of Educational Policy, Research and Administration also houses three research centers: