EPE offers graduate degrees in Higher Education, Social & Philosophical Studies, Educational Policy Studies, and Measurement/Evaluation.
The Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation provides a unique opportunity for students who wish to develop the knowledge, judgment, and research skills required to address educational issues with flexibility and imagination. There are three broad areas of concentration in EPE. Higher education focuses on education policies, programs, and services. The socio-cultural study of educat
10/17/2025
EPE's Neal Hutchens with Dr. Jeffrey Sun in The Conversation US:
What the First Amendment doesn’t protect when it comes to professors speaking out on politics American colleges and universities have traditionally encouraged free speech. Recent dismissals of professors are eroding their commitment to this core mission.
10/16/2025
Grad students at the University of Kentucky, check out this opportunity for a $3k seed grant for research & creative activities!
Seed Grants Available for Graduate Students: Research and Creative Activities | The Graduate School Promoting Excellence in Research for Kentucky (PERK) Graduate Student Seed Grants Now Available In support of the University mission to Advance Kentucky Together, starter grants for research and creative activities are now available to currently enrolled graduate students. PERK seed grants will prov...
09/05/2025
Check out this exciting job opportunity for scholars with expertise in quantitative methods in educational research! Consider joining EPE's faculty at the University of Kentucky!
Assistant Professor of Educational Policy Studies & Evaluation, Quantitative Methods The Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation (EPE) in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky invites applications and nominations for a tenure track Assistant Professor position, effective August 15, 2026. The individual will be responsible for carrying out research, t...
07/28/2025
Congratulations, Dr. James Murray!
Congratulations to Dr. James Murray on his successful dissertation defense today!!
The Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation provides a unique opportunity for students who wish to develop the knowledge, judgment, and research skills required to address educational issues with flexibility and imagination.
There are three broad areas of concentration in EPE. Higher education focuses on education policies, programs, and services. The socio-cultural study of education provides sociological, anthropological, philosophical, and comparative international perspectives. Evaluation and research methods focuses on the relationships among ethics and education, policy analysis, and the development of evaluation systems for educational policies and programs.
The department's faculty represent a wide spectrum of intellectual orientations, professional commitments, and experience. No less importantly, an uncommon degree of respect for both the difficulties and the necessities of interdisciplinary conversation prevails. These factors, together with flexibility in program planning at the coursework stage (which includes opportunities for independent study, internship experience, and affiliations with faculty from other departments in the college and university), help to create an environment congenial to students with a variety of backgrounds and future goals. Some EPE graduates pursue traditional academic careers as faculty members or administrators. Others serve as policy analysts or evaluation specialists in school systems, state departments of education, or in other arenas outside the university.
