M.A. in OLPD
Education Policy and Leadership

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:

  • Assess school organization and policies, instructional strategies, and student outcomes.
  • Understand the role of personal epistemologies and the role in systematic reproductive oppressive trends in educating minoritized students.
  • Design and implement programs to address needs and create change in support of student learning and success.
  • Identify the particular skills and values necessary to executing collaborative school and system improvement.
  • Understand classroom and school dynamics, and implement research-based changes for student success.
  • Apply research-driven strategies and programs to balance the needs of students, families, teachers, and administrators.
  • Prepare for a doctoral program or to work in PK-12 educational settings.
  • Engage in a community with leading researchers, faculty members, and administrators all committed to the improvement of teaching and learning.
  • Navigate and understand the complex world of education and provide insights to support common benefits.

This degree prepares students for a wide range of careers, including:

  • Research fellow
  • Research assistant
  • Teacher leader
  • Teaching and learning specialist
  • Educational consultant

Coursework

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.

  • Plan A option: 30-36 credits (with master's thesis) completed in 2 years for full time students

Program core (6 credits)

Take a minimum of 6 credits from the following:

  • OLPD 5001—Formal Organizations in Education (3 cr) [Take OLPD 5001 if offered – if not offered take alternatives OLPD 5011 or OLPD 5607]
    OR OLPD 5011—Leading Organizational Change: Theory and Practice (3 cr)
    OR OLPD 5607—Organization Development (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5041—Sociology of Education (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5044—Introduction to Economics of Education (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5048—Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Leadership (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5344—School Law (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5364—Context and Practice of Educational Leadership (3 cr)
  • OLPD 8302—Educational Policy Perspectives (3 cr)

Research design and methods (6 credits)

Selected in consultation with advisor.

Related fields (6 credits taken outside EPL)

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.

Electives (2-8 credits)

Selected in consultation with advisor to meet 30-36 total credit requirement for this program.

Thesis credits (10 credits)

Take 10 or more credits of the following:

  • OLPD 8777—Thesis Credits: Master's (10 cr)

Research project

Plan A students will develop and carry out an empirical research project under the supervision of their advisor.

  • Plan B option: 30-32 credits (without thesis but with additional coursework) completed in 2 years for full time students

Required coursework (6 credits minimum)

Take a minimum of 6 credits from the following:

  • OLPD 5001—Formal Organizations in Education (3 cr) [Take OLPD 5001 if offered – if not offered take alternative OLPD 5011]
    OR OLPD 5011—Leading Organizational Change: Theory and Practice (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5607—Organization Development (3 cr)
  • OLPD 8302—Educational Policy Perspectives (3 cr)

Program core (6 credits)

Choose one course from each of the following areas:

Leadership courses

  • OLPD 5048—Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Leadership (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5364—Context and Practice of Educational Leadership (3 cr)

Other coursework

  • OLPD 5041—Sociology of Education (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5044—Introduction to the Economics of Education (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5128—Anthropology of Education (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5324—Strategic Financial Planning and Policy for Educational Leaders (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5344—School Law (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5346—Politics of Education (3 cr)

Research design and methods (3 credits)

  • OLPD 5501—Principles and Methods of Evaluation (3 cr)

Related fields (6 credits taken outside EPL)

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.

Electives (3-8 credits)

Selected in consultation with advisor to meet 30-32 total credit requirement for this program.

Colloquium paper (3-6 credits)

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).

  • OLPD 5087—MA Research Seminar (1-3 cr)
    OR OLPD 5095—Problems: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (1-3 cr)


How to apply

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.

Online application and instructions

Admission requirements

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):

  • TOEFL: Internet based = 79 or above
    (21 writing/19 reading)
  • IELTS = 6.5

Readmission: If a graduate student in an OLPD program has become inactive they must follow the readmission procedures.

Tuition and funding

Questions?

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