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Policy, Organization, Measurement, and Evaluation (POME)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How are your programs structured? Is there a core curriculum and a choice of electives?
Q: How do I find out whether any of your programs are a match for my interests?
Q: Is the Policy and Organizations Research program under the umbrella of POME?
Q: Is it possible to do a combined degree program?
Q: How do I find out if my interests/background are a match for your programs?
Q: What are the admission requirements?
Q: How much does the program cost?
Q: Is financial support available for doctoral students?
Q: How do I apply for your programs?
Q: What qualities do you look for in prospective candidates?
Q: Is there a minimum GPA for acceptance?
Q: I would like to pursue a practice-oriented degree. Is this the right program for me?
Q: Is it possible to take courses in my other disciplines/areas of interest?
Q: What is the name of the degree conferred?
Q: What is the difference between the PhD and EdD?
Q: Is it possible to audit or take classes for credit before applying to the program?
Q: Are there any recruitment events related to the program that I could attend?
Q: How many students enter your master’s programs?
Q: Does the coursework for the MA differ from that of the PhD?
Q: What type of research/fieldwork opportunities are available at the GSE?
Q: What campus employment opportunities are available for students?Q: Can visiting students take courses or carry out research in your programs?
Q: What is the average number of years it takes to earn a PhD in this program?
Q: What are the professional prospects for POME graduates?
Q: How are your programs structured? Is there a core curriculum and a choice of electives?
A: All entering students take a number of required courses and electives in their first two years. At the same time, they develop ideas for research topics and questions related to their own interests. Throughout the program, your individual course of study is crafted in consultation with two faculty advisers.
Q: How do I find out whether any of your programs are a match for my interests?
A: Discuss your academic interests and career goals with a faculty member. Spend time on the POME website to familiarize yourself with our programs, faculty interests, and research projects. Feel free to contact faculty members directly.
Q: Is the Policy and Organizations Research program under the umbrella of POME?
A: Yes. POME is an area of concentration within the Graduate School of Education that includes the following programs: Policy & Organizations Research, Quantitative Methods, Program Evaluation & Assessment, and the Principal Leadership Institute.
Q: Is it possible to do a combined degree program?
A: Yes. The POME Combined Program (PCP) bridges disciplines (e.g., economics, policy, sociology, history) and methodology (statistics, measurement, evaluation). Additionally, students can craft individual programs of study by combining focuses (for example, Policy with literacy or second language acquisition).
Q: How do I find out if my interests/background are a match for your programs?
A: Students come to POME with a wide range of interests and experience. It’s best to speak with a faculty member in your area of interest before applying.
Q: What are the admission requirements?
A: We consider your academic background, GPA, GRE scores, professional training and experience), personal statement, letters of recommendation, and overall fit within the POME program and faculty interests.
Q: How much does the program cost?
A: You can find current tuition and fees (per semester) for UC Berkeley’s Graduate Academic programs at registrar.berkeley.edu/Registration/feesched.html
Please note that room and board are not included.
Q: Is financial support available for doctoral students?
A: Some funding is available from the Graduate School of Education and UC Berkeley (see gse.berkeley.edu/admin/sas/admissions/req_aid.html) Fellowships may provide a stipend, and/or fees and tuition, to support the living and educational expenses of graduate study. You can also apply for need-based financial aid.
Q: How do I apply for your programs?
A: From September – December, you can apply online for the following academic year at gse.berkeley.edu/admin/sas/requirements.html
Q: Does the program admit students from applications alone? Or do I need to have a faculty member agree to be my advisor first?
A: All Policy applicants are evaluated on the basis of the materials in their application packet.
Q: What qualities do you look for in prospective candidates?
A: A major consideration is whether the program will give you the type of preparation and research experience you seek. The more specific you can be in your personal statement about your interests, the better we can determine whether you are a good fit, both within the program and with the program faculty.
Q: Is it better to be specific about what I want to do as a POME student, or to be open to whatever projects the faculty are working on?
A: Faculty research groups and projects are structured opportunities to gain research experience. It's also good to start with a general idea of the research area you want to focus on and open yourself to all the options and faculty expertise available to you at the Graduate School of Education.
Q: Is there a minimum GPA for acceptance?
A: The UC Berkeley Grad Division has a 3.0 minimum requirement, but other factors can compensate. If the faculty feel you're otherwise a strong candidate, they can make a case to the Grad Division to waive the minimum requirement. (Note: a low GPA will affect your ability to apply for certain fellowships, but not all.)
Q: I would like to pursue a practice-oriented degree. Is this the right program for me?
A: Our Policy program is academic and research oriented, with a focus on issues of policy-practice relations. The Principal Leadership Institute is a practice-oriented program, with a focus on equitable school reform, urban schools/students, and instructional leadership. Students graduate with an MA in Education and a recommendation toward the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).
Q: Is it possible to take courses in my other disciplines/areas of interest?
A: Yes, you are encouraged to take classes in other program areas at the School of Education and in other UC Berkeley departments, such as Public Policy, City & Regional Planning, Sociology, Political Science, Ethnic Studies, and Anthropology.
Q: What is the name of the degree conferred?
A: All students receive a doctoral degree in Education, regardless of their program emphasis.
Q: What is the difference between the PhD and EdD?
A: The Ed.D. is more practice-oriented (professional degree), while the Ph.D. is more research oriented (academic degree). At the GSE, a Ph.D. dissertation must make a theoretical contribution to a discipline related to Education, while an EdD dissertation needs to apply a theoretical perspective to an educational problem. The Ph.D. also takes longer than the Ed.D. degree (4-6 years as compared to 3 years).
Q: I'll be visiting the area and would like to drop by to learn more about the POME program. How do I go about setting that up?
A: The best way is to visit campus during the semester. You can contact faculty in advance to arrange an office meeting and/or sit in on one of their classes. This would also be a good opportunity to talk with current students about the program.
Q: Is it possible to audit or take classes for credit before applying to the program?
A: This is a great way to get to know our program culture, demands and expectations, and to talk with students and faculty. Prospective applicants can either enroll in courses for credit through U.C. Extension or audit a class with permission of the instructor.
Q: Are there any recruitment events related to the program that I could attend?
A: The Graduate School of Education hosts a Prospective Student Night in early November, for students who are planning to apply to any of our programs. This is your best chance to meet in small groups with POME faculty and students and get all your questions answered.
Q: How many students enter your master’s programs?
A: The Policy program admits very few exclusively MA candidates (about 1 or 2 per year). Most of our students are earning a PhD, and if they enter the program without an MA, they’ll earn it concurrently.
Q: Does the coursework for the MA differ from that of the PhD?
A: All students do the same coursework regardless of degree goals, and the course of study is crafted in consultation with your advisors.
Master's students may choose either the Plan I or Plan II approach:
Plan I: coursework + comprehensive master's thesis (with 2 faculty readers)
Plan II: coursework + a First-Year Oral exam + final paper (with 2 readers) of lesser scope than the master's thesis. (This is the most popular.)
Q: What type of research/fieldwork opportunities are available at the GSE?
A: A variety of research projects and fieldwork opportunities can arise out of coursework or in consultation with your academic advisors. Others are posted on the GSE job e-list and bulletin boards. We encourage students to work on research projects after the first year of coursework.
Q: What campus employment opportunities are available for students?
A: Most POME students pursue work as graduate student researchers (GSR), graduate student instructors (GSI), teaching assistants, or a combination. Student academic appointments can provide partial or full tuition/fee remission based on the percentage of time hired. For more information, see www.grad.berkeley.edu/policies/appointments_office.shtml
Q: Can visiting students take courses or carry out research in your programs?
A: If you’re currently enrolled in another institution, you can sign up as a “Visiting Student Researcher” and audit the courses you choose, with the instructors’ permission. Visiting post docs are eligible for “Visiting Scholar” status and can also audit courses with the instructor’s permission. As a Visiting Student Researcher or Scholar, you’ll receive a library card and a campus email address. This works best for extended visits of one semester or more.
Q: What is the average number of years it takes to earn a PhD in this program?
A: Four to six years.
Q: What are the professional prospects for POME graduates?
A: Policy graduates find employment in universities and colleges, research and consulting organizations, government agencies, and district or county offices of education.
Q: Is QME similar to a statistics major, but with an emphasis on education issues?
Q: What are the requirements for acceptance into your program?
Q: What kind of academic background do most QME students have?
Q: Do I need a background in statistics?
Q: I already have a master’s degree. Can I transfer units toward the doctoral degree?
Q: Does your program accommodate working students?
Q: Can I work at a consulting firm while completing my doctorate?
Q: How many students are admitted into QME each year?
Q: How many courses does a doctoral student take each semester?
Q: How long does it take to complete the coursework for a doctoral degree?
Q: How long does it take to complete the entire program?
Q: Are the academic requirements different for your PhD and EdD programs?
Q: What are the professional prospects for QME graduates?
Q: How can I learn more about your program?
Q: Is QME similar to a statistics major, but with an emphasis on education issues?
A: No. QME includes the study of measurement and evaluation in addition to applied statistics. All three areas are not usually emphasized in a statistics major. We also expect students to take advanced courses in one area involving substantive educational issues.
Q: What are the requirements for acceptance into your program?
A: We prefer that applicants have some preparation in quantitative methods, but it’s not required. The rest depends on your interests and depth. Some QME students choose to pursue more complex areas of statistics and mathematics as part of their research.
Q: What kind of academic background do most QME students have?
A: Their backgrounds range from math, biology, computer science, statistics, business, economics, psychology to other social science disciplines. Their math and statistics experience ranges from none to master’s level in quantitative disciplines.
Q: Do I need a background in statistics?
A: If you want to understand all statistics in the procedures and create such procedures, you’ll need strong preparation in mathematics, statistics and programming. If your goals are less technical, you won’t need as much. Courses in applied statistics are a program requirement. (You can take statistics courses in both the education and statistics departments.) If you start out with a strong background in statistics, you can waive out of the introductory stat courses or just audit them to review.
Q: I already have a master’s degree. Can I transfer units toward the doctoral degree?
A: Some MA credits can be applied toward the PhD. For example, students with quantitative methods backgrounds can waive out of the introductory statistics course to take more advanced courses in education, statistics, or other social sciences.
Q: Does your program accommodate working students?
A: Many of our students take leave from professional positions to pursue the doctoral degree. They can also combine study with employment linked to their research.
Q: Can I work at a consulting firm while completing my doctorate?
A: We encourage students to take positions that complement their coursework and program requirements. Most QME students work in some evaluation, research, or measurement capacity, either with a GSE faculty member or in an R&D/evaluation organization.
Q: How many students are admitted into QME each year?
A: In general, 3-5 students are admitted into the QME program each year.
Q: How many courses does a doctoral student take each semester?
A: Three to five courses (12-18 units), depending on the classes and student. The fewer classes you take per semester, the longer it takes to complete your degree.
Q: How long does it take to complete the coursework for a doctoral degree?
A: Students spend approximately two years doing formal coursework. The minimum requirement is that you pass our courses in applied statistics, measurement, and evaluation. Students must be physically present during this time to focus on coursework.
Q: How long does it take to complete the entire program?
A: This varies greatly depending on the student. If pursued full-time, it usually takes 4-6 years to earn the PhD and 3 years for the EdD.
Q: Are the academic requirements different for your PhD and EdD programs?
A: Coursework and program requirements are similar, but Ph.D. students will take more methodology courses and write more comprehensive pre-qualifying exam papers and a dissertation. There are also differences within specific programs.
Q: What are the professional prospects for QME graduates?
A: QME graduates are employed in a variety of positions, including R & D groups, testing organizations, academic positions, and research positions in the public and private sectors. Both PhD and EdD programs prepare students to teach university level courses in evaluation and research methods, to direct research and evaluation projects for R & D organizations at all levels, and to serve as methodological consultants.
Q: How can I learn more about your program?
A: The best way is to visit campus during the semester. You can contact faculty in advance to arrange an office meeting and/or sit in on one of their classes. This would also be a good opportunity to talk with current students about the program.
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