School of Education Doctoral Research Program

Admissions for 2009-10 will open a program supported by the School of Education.

Participation in the DRP is contingent upon (1) joint student and advisor interest and consent, (2) application to the Doctoral Research Program, and (3) acceptance by the DRP Advisory Committee.

Application Packet

The following items, in the order listed, should be submitted as the student’s application packet:

• Completed Application Form: Download PDF or Word.
• A statement from the student discussing his or her intellectual interests and how the DRP would facilitate his/her professional development. The student should say something of his or her possible career goals, especially in relation to educational research.
• A letter from the advisor recommending the student for the program, discussing the student’s preparation and potential for pursuing a research career in education. The advisor should discuss in broad terms the kinds of experiences and opportunities s/he thinks this student needs (courses, work on research projects with faculty, independent research) and should also indicate willingness to participate in the responsibilities detailed in the program description. If the advisor does not have sufficient experience with the student’s strengths, the student should ask another faculty member who can describe the student’s qualifications to submit a second letter.
• A program plan listing the experiences (courses, participation in faculty research, independent research projects, participation in informal seminars, and anything else that may be deemed relevant) that the advisor and student agree the student should pursue in the next two years.
• Graduate and undergraduate transcripts (copies are fine; official transcripts are not necessary)
• GRE scores (if taken, copies are fine)

Application Deadlines

Students interested in applying for the DRP should submit a complete application packet to Professor Carolyn Kelley, DRP Director, 1282J Educational Sciences, 1025 W. Johnson Street, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706 by March 23, 2009. Admission decisions will be made by March 30, at which point both students and departments will be notified promptly.

Questions concerning the Wisconsin Doctoral Research Program may be addressed to Professor Carolyn Kelley (by e-mail: kelley@education.wisc.edu or by phone: 608-263-5733)

Selection Process

Applications are combined across departments and reviewed by the DRP Advisory Committee for admission.

Applications are judged on the match between the student’s goals and the program’s principles, the thoughtfulness of his/her statement and program plan, and the applicant’s educational record. The intent is to select students who are oriented toward research, who have clearly articulated their plans for graduate preparation in consultation with their advisors, and who have the background and abilities to participate effectively in DRP experiences.

We anticipate admitting up to fifteen students for the fall of 2009, and each will be awarded two consecutive years of participation in the DRP.