The Department of Educational Policy Studies and Research (EPSR) studies the complex dynamic interplay between the individual, society, and sociocultural processes that unfold in multiple educational contexts. It offers courses examining educational theories, institutions, practices, policies, and human development across the life span, and issues in educational research. EPSR represents the foundational disciplines of history, philosophy, psychology, sociology and human development as they are related to the study of education. It also considers debates about investigative methodology in education, and the contribution of research to the understanding of educational and social problems. Accordingly, its courses examine questions of disciplined inquiry, theoretical discourse, educational and social development, inequality, economic and political change, and cultural identity in relation to formal and informal education, in schools and related settings. The study of these issues is informed by an ethical disposition that features a critical examination of assumptions regarding norms and standards, and the quest for social justice. The Department provides disciplinary and research course work for students in other programs of the School, while also preparing students from EPSR for positions in, for example, government, service organizations, private foundations and institutes, adult education and training, cultural organizations, as well as for doctoral work in educational policy studies for a university teaching and research career.
The Department is the home of the School of Education’s DePaul Institute for Teacher Development and Research, directed by EPSR faculty. The Institute’s focus is the quality of teacher’s work life, professionalism, the impact of high stakes testing and standards on teaching and learning, the social context of urban schools, and issues of equity and social justice. The Institute focuses on these issues with the goal of contributing to teacher development, research, and policy to improve urban schools. A defining feature of the Institute is its partnership with community-based organizations and organizations of teachers whose perspectives are generally excluded from policy-making decisions about urban schools. Three interrelated core activities define the Institute’s work: continuing professional development, research, and policy.
In addition, the following graduate program is offered at Lincoln Park:
· M.A in Social and Cultural Foundations in Education
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School of Education Departments 
