PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY · UNITED STATES
Education, Development and Community Engagement
PhD · Taught in en · UCAS EDCE
At a glance
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Tuition / yr
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PhD
Level
The Education, Development and Community Engagement graduate program at Penn State prepares students for impactful careers in various educational settings. Graduates are equipped for roles in university programs, youth and family services, state and local administration, private industry, and international education initiatives. The program offers Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Master of Science (M.S.) degrees, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The M.Ed. focuses on teaching and learning for professional advancement, while the M.S. emphasizes research methods and data analysis for research-oriented careers or doctoral studies. The Ph.D. program delves deeper into research and leadership within the field.
Curriculum
The program offers M.Ed., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. Specific course requirements and credit totals vary by degree.
- Master of Education (M.Ed.)
- Foundations of Education, Development, and Community EngagementEDCE 501
- Contemporary Research in Education, Development and Community EngagementEDCE 509
- ColloquiumEDCE 590
- Scientific Method in the Study of Education, Development and Community EngagementEDCE 520
- Basic Applied Data Analysis in Education, Development and Community EngagementEDCE 521
- Communication Course
- Program or Option Specific Courses
- Electives
- Individual Studies (Capstone Project)EDCE 596
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Foundations of Education, Development, and Community EngagementEDCE 501
- ColloquiumEDCE 590
- Scientific Method in the Study of Education, Development and Community EngagementEDCE 520
- Thesis ResearchEDCE 600 or 610
Careers
Graduates of the Education, Development and Community Engagement program are prepared for a variety of professional roles.
- College and university program professionals
- Youth and family programming specialists
- State-level administrators
- Local-level administrators
- Private industry professionals
- International education specialists
- Agricultural educators (secondary and post-secondary)
- Cooperative Extension educators
- Professionals in public, private, or non-profit sectors focused on education, training, or human capacity development.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the academic qualifications needed for the Education, Development and Community Engagement PhD program?
- For the PhD program, you need a baccalaureate or master’s degree in agricultural sciences, human sciences, or a related area. A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience is also required.
- What are the application deadlines for the Master's and PhD programs?
- The application deadline for the PhD program is December 15. For Master's programs, the application deadline is March 1.
- What documents are required to apply for the graduate programs?
- You will need to submit a graduate school application, a letter of application, a résumé (for PhD applicants), three recommendation forms, official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, and GRE scores.
- What are the estimated tuition fees for international students?
- For the Fall/Spring 2026-27 academic year, non-Pennsylvania residents, including international students, pay a per-credit rate. Specific total tuition amounts depend on the number of credits taken and are detailed on the university's fees page.
- What are some potential career paths after completing this program?
- Graduates can pursue roles such as college and university program professionals, youth and family programming specialists, state and local administrators, private industry professionals, and international education specialists.
Entry requirements
Baccalaureate or Master's DegreeA baccalaureate or a master’s degree in agricultural sciences, human sciences, or a related area is required for the Ph.D. program. For Master's programs, a demonstrated professional interest in relevant fields is required.
Professional Education Credits (M.Ed.)A minimum of 18 credits in professional education courses (including educational psychology and teaching/internship) or teacher certification, or equivalent professional experience for the M.Ed. program.
Professional Experience (Ph.D.)A minimum of two years of appropriate professional experience is required for the Ph.D. program.
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended are required. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for all graduate applications. Admissions decisions are based on multiple variables, including GRE scores, professional experience, and stated goals. Applicants may be provisionally admitted. Exceptions to admission criteria may be made for students with special backgrounds, abilities, and interests.
Fees
Tuition (international)For the Fall/Spring 2026-27 academic year, Non-Pennsylvania residents (including international students) at University Park pay a per-credit rate. Specific total tuition amounts are not provided here and depend on the number of credits taken.
Tuition (home)For the Fall/Spring 2026-27 academic year, Pennsylvania residents at University Park pay a per-credit rate. Specific total tuition amounts are not provided here and depend on the number of credits taken.
LivingEstimated living costs are not provided in the source documents.
Tuition and fees rates apply regardless of instructional mode. Rates for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years are available. The fees page provides links to detailed rate schedules for different campuses and semesters.
How to apply
1. Complete the Graduate School ApplicationApplications for graduate admission are available on June 15. Complete the online application through the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School application portal.
2. Submit Program-Specific RequirementsIn addition to the general graduate application, submit a letter of application (2-3 pages) detailing professional experience, education, career goals, and reasons for pursuing the degree. A current résumé is also required for Ph.D. applicants.
3. Request Letters of RecommendationArrange for three individuals knowledgeable about your abilities to submit recommendation and evaluation forms.
4. Provide Official TranscriptsSubmit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended to the Graduate School.
5. Submit GRE ScoresGraduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for all graduate applications.
6. Consider Professional Experience (Ph.D.)For the Ph.D. program, a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience is required.
7. Potential InterviewAn interview with the graduate faculty is recommended for all Ph.D. applicants prior to admission.
Frequently asked questions
What are the academic qualifications needed for the Education, Development and Community Engagement PhD program?
+
For the PhD program, you need a baccalaureate or master’s degree in agricultural sciences, human sciences, or a related area. A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience is also required.
What are the application deadlines for the Master's and PhD programs?
+
The application deadline for the PhD program is December 15. For Master's programs, the application deadline is March 1.
What documents are required to apply for the graduate programs?
+
You will need to submit a graduate school application, a letter of application, a résumé (for PhD applicants), three recommendation forms, official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, and GRE scores.
What are the estimated tuition fees for international students?
+
For the Fall/Spring 2026-27 academic year, non-Pennsylvania residents, including international students, pay a per-credit rate. Specific total tuition amounts depend on the number of credits taken and are detailed on the university's fees page.
What are some potential career paths after completing this program?
+
Graduates can pursue roles such as college and university program professionals, youth and family programming specialists, state and local administrators, private industry professionals, and international education specialists.