Quantitative Policy Analysis in Education

Students in the Quantitative Policy Analysis in Education concentration follow a more structured course of study than students in the other HGSE doctoral concentrations. The QPAE concentration integrates three strands of coursework: rigorous training in quantitative research methods, disciplinary study, and substantive study of educational institutions and policies.

Requirements

In addition to fulfilling the core requirements of the HGSE doctoral program, QPAE students must complete an acceptable course sequence from all three curricular strands (education, an academic discipline, and quantitative methods) and a research apprenticeship. The course sequences in all three strands are tailored to the needs of each student, with the concurrence of the student's advisor. At present, study plans must be approved by the QPAE Concentration Chair after they have been approved by the student's advisor.

Education Strand

The education strand includes education courses focusing on educational institutions, educational policy, and the social context of education. Other courses, including courses outside of HGSE, may be completed to fulfill this requirement at the discretion of the advisor and the QPAE Concentration Chair.

Disciplinary Strand

The disciplinary strand should represent a coherent program of study relevant to the student's scholarly interests. Students should provide a suitable rationale for proposing an interdisciplinary study plan. In most cases, only courses eligible for graduate credit in a Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) department can count toward fulfillment of the requirements of this strand. Disciplinary courses in schools other than GSAS may be accepted at the discretion of the advisor and QPAE Concentration Chair. HGSE courses are not acceptable for meeting the disciplinary strand requirement.

Methods Strand

QPAE students must complete at least 5 approved courses in quantitative methods beyond the intermediate quantitative methods course, S-030, which all HGSE doctoral students are required to complete. These 5 methods courses must include one course in measurement and one on causal inference; students select (at least) three additional courses in advanced methods to meet their individual needs. These 5 courses meet the HGSE doctoral requirement of needing to complete 2 elective courses in advanced methods.

Research Apprenticeship

The research apprenticeship provides QPAE students an opportunity to learn research skills by working closely with a faculty mentor. The apprenticeship is a research project for which the student and a faculty member share responsibility and work together to jointly author a paper. The apprenticeship may be either a new project undertaken specifically for this purpose or a new research effort arising from the faculty member's or student's ongoing research. The qualifying paper and dissertation do not necessarily meet the requirements of the research apprenticeship, but the apprenticeship may produce the student's qualifying paper or dissertation.

The research apprenticeship is neither a research assistantship (in which students are paid to do whatever work needs to be done on a faculty member's research) nor an independent student research project (with respect to which the faculty member's role is merely advisory).

Normally, the faculty member with whom the apprenticeship is undertaken will be a core member of the QPAE faculty. Other arrangements, including apprenticeships with non-HGSE faculty, must be approved on a case-by-case basis. All research apprenticeships must be approved by the student's committee and the QPAE Concentration Chair.

Teaching Fellowships

All QPAE students are expected to serve as teaching fellows in quantitative courses. Decisions about the number and choice of teaching slots will be individualized, reflecting the student's interests and the advisor's judgment. All teaching fellow positions are awarded at the discretion of the faculty teaching the relevant courses.

Admissions Considerations

Students apply for admission to the QPAE concentration as part of the regular HGSE doctoral application process. The QPAE Concentration seeks highly motivated students with the desire and capability to undertake rigorous training.

In their Statement of Purpose, applicants should describe relevant background or training, discuss the reasons for their interest in this particular doctoral concentration, describe types of research in which they would be interested, and discuss faculty members with whom they would like to study. For complete instructions and more information regarding the Statement of Purpose, please review the HGSE Admissions Application instructions.

Mathematical Foundations

The QPAE concentration does not require applicants to have completed prior college-level coursework in mathematics (e.g., differential calculus). However, students are handicapped in studying quantitative methods if they lack sufficient knowledge of certain areas in mathematics. As described below, QPAE does not require coursework in mathematics, but students who lack a sufficient mathematical background may be required to study these mathematical foundations. These options are in flux, but currently include a two-week intensive mini-course, a one-semester course, and more extensive coursework. Decisions about mathematical backgrounds will be made on an individual basis.

Advising

All QPAE students must select a faculty advisor from the QPAE core faculty. In unusual cases, QPAE faculty may agree to a co-advising relationship with other HGSE faculty. While QPAE students are encouraged to add non-HGSE faculty (particularly faculty members from their disciplinary departments) to their committees, co-advising arrangements with non-HGSE faculty are not feasible.

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