Education Policy and Leadership (MEd)

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Offered by the School of Education , the Master of Education (MEd) in Education Policy and Leadership provides teachers and other professionals with the knowledge and skills to transform schools and school systems. The program offers two tracks. The Policy Studies track prepares teachers and other professional to serve as leaders in organizations - including federal and state education agencies, school districts, and nonprofits - that implement education policies and programs. In addition to leadership, policy, legal, economic, and research skills, the track emphasizes the data analysis and performance management skills needed to administer education programs and policies. The Teacher Leadership track prepares teachers to serve within schools as teacher leaders who use evidence and collaboration to provide instructional support and shape school-improvement efforts. Students in this track have the opportunity to select an area of concentration - literacy, dyslexia/reading specialist, and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) - to develop deeper knowledge about how to support teachers and school-wide change in a specific content area. Students in both tracks also participate in a consultancy project with an educational organization through which they can apply the knowledge and skills learned through their coursework.

Admission to the Program

Students must meet the minimum university requirements for graduate study for admission to the program.

Degree Requirements

30 credit hours of approved graduate work, including 12 credit hours of core courses and 18 credit hours in a selected track
- Up to 6 credit hours may be transferred from work completed at other institutions and approved by the program director at time of admission
Capstone Experience: EDU-686 Proseminar in Education Policy and Leadership (3)

Course Requirements

Core (12 credit hours)

Tracks (18 credit hours)

Complete one of the following tracks:

Policy Studies

Required

Electives

Complete 6 credit hours from the following, or other graduate-level course work as approved by program advisor:

Teacher Leadership

Required

EDU-687 Instructional Leadership and Teacher Support (3)

Areas of Focus

Complete 15 credit hours in one of the following areas of focus, or in an individually designed program in consultation with an advisor:

Literacy

Required

Electives

Complete 6 credit hours from the following, or other graduate-level course work as approved by program advisor:

Dyslexia/Reading Specialist

Required

Electives

Complete 6 credit hours from the following, or other graduate-level course work as approved by program advisor:

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

Required

Electives

Complete 6 credit hours from the following, or other graduate-level course work as approved by program advisor:

Online Education Policy and Leadership (MEd)

The online Master of Education (MEd) in Education Policy and Leadership provides teachers and other professionals with the knowledge and skills to transform schools and school systems. The Policy Studies track prepares teachers and other professional to the serve as leaders in organizations - including federal and state education agencies, school districts, and nonprofits - that implement education policies and programs. In addition to leadership, policy, legal, economic, and research skills, the track emphasizes the data analysis and performance management skills needed to administer education programs and policies. Admission requirements are the same as for the full-time program. Degree and course requirements are also the same as the full-time program. Courses are offered in the traditional fifteen-week semester. Students are expected to take two courses each semester and complete the program within a twenty-month period. Students must be accepted into the online program to enroll in online courses.

Combined Bachelor’s Degree and Education Policy and Leadership (MEd)

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.

In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for combined bachelor’s/master’s programs:

Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.00 or higher in major and minor courses
Students seeking the combined BA/MA option must complete both degrees on-campus