This Education Policy and Leadership (EPL) track program is about gaining a mastery of skills and knowledge in how politics, policies, and organizational cultures affect pre-K-12 education and development. Striking a responsive balance between theory and practice, our program prepares students to:
This degree prepares students for a wide range of careers, including:
M.A. students choose between Plan A and Plan B options. Plan A students register for thesis credits, write a master's thesis, and meet with their committee members for an oral defense of the thesis. Plan B students write a final examination paper that they submit to their committee members for review and approval.
Take a minimum of 6 credits from the following:
Selected in consultation with advisor.
The master’s degree requires 6 semester credits taken outside the program track that directly relate to the student’s area of study. Courses totaling 6 or more credits should be selected in consultation with the advisor and should constitute a solid coursework foundation for the student’s thesis. These courses may include additional methods courses taught outside the department.
Selected in consultation with advisor to meet 30-36 total credit requirement for this program.
Take 10 or more credits of the following:
Plan A students will develop and carry out an empirical research project under the supervision of their advisor.
Take a minimum of 6 credits from the following:
Choose one course from each of the following areas:
Leadership courses
Other coursework
The master’s degree requires 6 semester credits taken outside the program track that directly relate to the student’s area of study. Courses totaling 6 or more credits should be selected in consultation with the advisor and should constitute a solid coursework foundation for the student’s thesis. These courses may include additional methods courses taught outside the department.
Selected in consultation with advisor to meet 30-32 total credit requirement for this program.
Students prepare a paper on an issue of relevance in school administration or revise and expand three course papers. Total of 120 hours of work required. Students in the two-year program must take 3 or more credits of OLPD 5095. Students in the one-year program must take a total of 6 cr of OLPD 5087 or OLPD 5095 over 3 semesters with advisor approval (three of those credits will count towards the Electives requirement).
Applications are due by February 1 for a Fall semester start. Fall semester start only.
Applicants may only apply to one OLPD track.
Applications are not complete until ALL required materials and fees have been received. If anything is missing, your application may not be considered until the next review date the following year. It is strongly recommended to apply at least two weeks before any submission deadlines.
Applications are processed by the Graduate School. A decision for admission notice will be emailed to you once your application is carefully reviewed by the department's admission committee and your transcripts and any credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) are authenticated by Graduate School officials.
Degree: Bachelor's degree
GPA: Undergraduate 3.0
Note: Applicants should not submit GRE scores, as they will not be considered in the review process.
TOEFL/IELTS Scores (Not required for U.S. students):
Readmission: If a graduate student in an OLPD program has become inactive they must follow the readmission procedures.
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