
Free Virtual Open House
Learn more about the EPL Program through one of our free virtual open houses. Learn about class format, curriculum, tuition financing, and more! You’ll have the chance to hear from faculty and current students.
Spring Valley Building , Room 471 on a map
4801 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-8030 United StatesOur M.Ed. in Education Policy and Leadership gives students the tools to shape the future of education. The EPL program prepares educators and other professionals to serve as leaders in education organizations. Students gain the knowledge and skills in leadership, policy, law, economics, and research to effectively administer education programs and policies at all levels. The EPL program is offered in three formats: on-campus, online, hybrid.
The Education Policy & Leadership program is excited to offer a Hybrid program option. Students will be able to complete their M.Ed. in one year by taking a mix of on-campus and online classes over three semesters. This fast-track option is designed for full-time students only. Admission requirements are the same for the on-campus and online programs. Degree and course requirements are also the same as the on-campus and online program.
Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 | Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
---|---|---|---|---|
EDU 631 – Education Leadership and Organizational Change |
EDU 790 – Quantitative Research In Education | EDU 693 – Education Program and Policy Implementation | EDU 633 – Economic Inquiry in Education | EDU 686 – Proseminar in Education Policy and Leadership |
EDU 610 – Overview of Qual. and Quant. Strat. |
EDU 634 – Education and Public Policy | EDU XXX – Elective | EDU 636 – Education Law and Policy | EDU XXX – Elective |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | Semester 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|
EDU 631 – Education Leadership and Organizational Change | EDU 790 – Quantitative Research In Education | EDU 693 – Education Program and Policy Implementation | EDU 636 – Education Law and Policy | EDU 686 – Proseminar in Education Policy and Leadership |
EDU 610 – Overview of Qual. and Quant. Strat. |
EDU 634 – Education and Public Policy |
EDU XXX – Elective | EDU 633 – Economic Inquiry in Education |
EDU XXX – Elective |
Fall Semester 1 | Spring Semester 2 | Summer Semester 3 |
---|---|---|
EDU 631 – Education Leadership and Organizational Change (on-campus - Th) |
EDU 790 – Quantitative Research In Education |
EDU 686 – Proseminar in Education Policy and Leadership |
EDU 610 – Overview of Qual. and Quant. Strat. (on-campus - T) |
EDU 634 – Education and Public Policy (on-campus - Th) |
EDU 633 – Economic Inquiry in Education (on-campus - 1st 7 weeks) |
EDU XXX – Elective | EDU 636 – Education Law and Policy (online - W) |
EDU 693 – Education Program and Policy Implementation |
- | - | EDU XXX – Elective |
EPL students complete consultancy projects for DC-based education organizations.
We host career panels and networking events so that students can make connections and better understand the career options available.
The EPL Program hosts advising and drop-in hours to answer questions and share student experiences.
Please view our Med Requirements & Admissions page to learn about required application materials and application deadlines for the on-campus and hybrid options.
Please view our MEd Online Format page learn about required application materials and application deadlines for the online option.
International applicants interested in obtaining an F-1 or J-1 visa must apply for the hybrid (full-time) program modality. Learn more about international application requirements on the International Applicants webpage.
Please view our M.Ed. Requirements & Admissions page to learn about required application materials and application deadlines for the hybrid option.
We #raiseourhand for our inspiring alums that are working in various sectors of education such as charter schools, non-profit organizations, higher education, government, local agencies, research, and more. Examples of where some of our alums work are Communities in Schools, KIPP, New York City Department of Education, EducationCounsel, Prep for Prep, Uncommon Schools, and many more!
The program is 30 credit hours.
Students may request up to 6 transfer credits for graduate courses taken prior to their admission to the Education Policy and Leadership program. Proposed transfer credits must have been completed with a grade of B (3.00) or better and must have been completed no earlier than 5 years prior to the beginning of the semester of which the student is admitted to a graduate program at AU. Transfer credits must be approved by a student’s Graduate Program Director during the students first semester of study and be included in the student’s Program of Study. Transfer credits may be accepted by the approval of the Associate Dean of the academic unit in the second semester of study. Students must give the Graduate Program Director an official transcript from the institution at which the proposed course(s) was completed as well as a syllabus for each course requested for transfer.
The Education Policy and Leadership graduate program director will approve or deny credits based on relevancy to the policy, leadership, and elective courses in our current curriculum. Teaching courses are unlikely to be approved. The program highly values teaching experience and courses, however, the goals of this program are to provide knowledge and skills directly related to policy and leadership.
For more information please see section 5.2. in American University’s Academic Rules and Regulations for Graduate Students.
No. We require a statement of purpose, resume, transcript(s), and two letters of recommendation.
*For students with one of our partnership programs, one or more letters may be waived, as well as the application fee.
The program's proseminar course is designed specifically to give students hands-on practical experiences in the field. Small groups of students work as consultants to education organizations in the DC area, conducting research and creating work products that meet the organizations' needs.
We have worked with the following organizations in the past:
Yes, the program was designed to accommodate students who are full-time professionals. On-Campus classes are held in the evening 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM ET and online classes are held in the evening from 7:30 PM - 9:20 PM ET. Please note that the hybrid program was designed for full-time students.
The School of Education partners with local, regional and national organizations to increase access to higher education. These partnerships offer tuition scholarships for partner members. Please visit the Partnerships page for a list of partnership organizations and other American University partners.
Still have questions? Send us an email to edpolicy@american.edu.