About the Program

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with an Emphasis in Educational Policy is an online degree requiring the completion of 36 credit hours and attracts students both in Texas and nationally, due to the online nature of the program. This degree program is designed with a required “Foundations of Educational Policy” core of 9 credits (3 courses) centered on educational policy development, implementation, and analysis both historically and across national, state, and local communities. There is also a required “Legal and Organizational Change” core of 15 credits (5 courses) centered on leadership, legal, and organizational factors central to educational policy. Finally, students are required to complete coursework in a “Social and Political Issues” core of 12 credits (4 courses), which focuses on the social and political agendas and educational leadership issues that internally and externally influence the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational policy.

Typical Applicants and Career Opportunities

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with an Emphasis in Educational Policy provides recognition for expertise in an increasingly important area—leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational policy. This degree program is of interest to a wide variety of early-career leaders as well as established professionals working in and/or pursuing careers in educational organizations (e.g., schools, educational administration, colleges, universities) as well as organizations that work in partnership with those types of educational organizations. Many current K-12 teachers seek to increase their expertise through graduate degrees to understand how decision-making and systemic change happens in their schools, districts, state, and nation as well as to understand how to either bring about or be part of positive change impacting their schools, classrooms, and students.

The program is also of interest to professionals with experience in related fields and agencies (e.g., social services, family support agencies, juvenile justice) and who have backgrounds in related academic disciplines (e.g., political science, sociology, economics, public administration, government relations), including but not limited to junior-level program specialists and others pursuing careers in educational policy institutes, research centers, advocacy organizations, and district level administrative policy positions. The courses for the non-certification M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, with an Emphasis in Educational Policy, build on a foundation in educational leadership, but include a key focus on policy development, implementation, evaluation, and relevance in the readings and assignments. Thus, students seeking master's-level graduate degrees in EDLD have the opportunity to increase their policy understanding and how to be part of the educational policy process.

Program at a glance:

• Fully online
• 36 credit hours
• Builds equitable leadership skills
• Policy-focused track
• Emphasis on leading change
• Dynamic faculty with real-world experience

Graduates are prepared to begin planning, designing, implementing, understanding, managing, monitoring, and evaluating education-related policies and policy programs. Graduates of this masters program may remain in their current positions, or they may move into positions in the following organizations including, but not limited to:

• Local, State, and National Government Education Agencies (e.g., public school districts, school management organizations, state departments of education, state higher education coordinating boards, US Department of Education, Congressional and state legislative staff, mayoral and county executive staff)
• Policy Institutes and Research-Based Advocacy Groups (e.g., policy analyst, research analyst, junior research scientist, research & development specialist)
• Higher Education Institutions (e.g., policy assessment, college and university accreditation, university compliance, development and fundraising, admissions and enrollment, government liaison)
• Not-for-Profit or Non-Governmental Organizations (e.g., policy analyst, research analyst, project coordinator, campaign organizer, communications officer)

M.Ed. vs Ed.D. vs Ph.D. comparison chart

Program Summary document

Join Us

Become a leader in your school, organization or community! Join a group of educators and professionals that seek to use policymaking to improve educational systems and make them more equitable for students and families.

Applications should be submitted online via the online application portal on the Graduate School website. There, you will input biographical and contact information and submit required application materials. You can check the status of your application within the same portal.

When applying, please specify the concentration area of interest as “M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with an Emphasis in Educational Policy”. Note: This program carries a “non-certification” designation, which means that this degree track does not lead to professional or state certification. The “non-certification” track is for applicants interested in a research or policy emphasis that leads to non-certified career or academic opportunities.

Application Materials

Applications should include:

• Current resume/CV
• Applicant statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Transcripts of all your college studies, including any community colleges

International students must also submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). See http://www.ets.org/toefl for more information and an application for that test.

There is a nonrefundable $65 fee for each application. Applicants should read the "Program Application" and "PhD Program Admissions" sections in the program handbook.

• Due to ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Graduate School has temporarily changed its admission requirements regarding test scores. The GRE may optionally be submitted by applicants for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years, through the Summer 2024 application cycle. International applicants may use certain alternate exams in place of the TOEFL. Please visit the Graduate Admissions COVID-19 FAQ page for more information.

Tuition & Fees

Use the Student Business Services Tuition Estimator to estimate your costs.

FAQ

How much does it cost?

Use the Student Business Services Tuition Estimator to estimate your costs.

Is this program really all online?

Yes, it is a fully online program, but students regularly engage in virtual classrooms using video-conferencing as if they were face-to-face. Instructors can share content like videos and slide presentations or use virtual whiteboard to interact as well.

Can I pursue this program if I am living outside of Texas? Or, outside the US?

Yes. This online program is available to admitted students anywhere in the world. You just need an internet connection.

How is the program structured?

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with an Emphasis in Educational Policy is 36 credit hours, which is 12 courses. Students enroll in 2 courses per semester (Spring, Summer, Fall) continuously for 2 years.

Does this masters program require a thesis?

No. This is a non-thesis masters degree.

What is the admission timeline?

Applicants are considered for admission on a rolling basis. Applications are accepted at any time during the year, but we recommend that for best consideration applicants submit by June 15 for Fall admission, by November 15 for Spring admission, and by March 15 for Summer admission. You can check the status of your application within the online application portal on the Graduate School website.

Can I enroll in this program while still working full time?

Yes. This program can be completed while working full time. Students enroll in only 2 courses each semester, allowing enough time to maintain a full work schedule.

Where do I apply?

Applications should be submitted online via the online application portal on the Graduate School website. Make sure to apply for the "non-certification" M.Ed. in Educational Leadership.