Professor speaks to class of education students

Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership, Master of Arts (M.A.) - Education Policy and Leadership Specialization

The M.A. in Education Policy and Leadership gives students an opportunity to examine all aspect of education policy, including its development, its implementation, and its consequences for citizens, children,and educators. Although all students in the Department take coursework in policy studies, this specialization provides students with an opportunity to develop a more in-depth program of study in the political, philosophical, economic, sociological, and legal analysis of education policies and practices. Coursework examines the historic and current roles of federal, state, and local governments in shaping educational systems and processes; the distribution of educationally relevant resources and the consequences of those policies for educational equity; and the possibilities and challenges associated with school reform and institutional change. Specific attention in courses is given to current reforms and policies, including school finance litigation, school choice, competing models for school reform, and high-stakes accountability policies. Students who specialize in Education Policy and Leadership pursue positions as scholars, researchers, policymakers, policy analysts, advocates for youth and educational leaders in private and public organizations.

For information on the graduate admissions process please visit https://gradschool.umd.edu/education/edtl.

Please refer to the Guide to Applying  for instructions on how to apply for graduate admission. If you have questions or concerns, we ask you to first review our list of  Frequently Asked Questions. International applicants should visit the International admissions webpage for additional information.

 

INFORMATION SESSION about our Ph.D. and M.A. programs will be held on October 13, 2023, by zoom. 

For academic advising on the M.A. program in Education Policy and Leadership, please contact tlpl-admissions@umd.edu or Dr. David Blazar at dblazar@umd.edu

Financial assistance for graduate study is generally divided into two categories: 

  • Merit-Based Assistance Need-Based Assistance  
    • Fellowships and Scholarships Loans  
    • Graduate Assistantships 

For more details about the various types of financial assistance offered by the campus please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid 

There are also a number of fellowships and scholarships offered through the College of Education, the University, and through external sources which may provide tuition support and/or living allowance. Students must apply for these awards on their own, but the links that follow provide valuable information on searching for fellowships and scholarships. 

For more information concerning fellowships and scholarships, please visit: 

The College of Education Financial Aid & Scholarship webpage

The University's Scholarships webpage

The Graduate School Student Fellowships & Awards webpage

M.A Requirements applicable to all specializations are here. Note the flexibility; even if certain courses are suggested for your specialization, you can make substitutions with your advisor's approval.

Requirements are undergoing polishing. 

Graduate Education Program Requirements

 

If you have questions about our admissions process, contact Graduate Coordinator Kay Moon at kmoon@umd.edu.

If you have questions about the program specifically, contact Dr. Jing Liu at jliu28@umd.edu.    

 

Deadlines vary by degree and program.  Please refer to the Graduate  School's application information.

CATALOG AND POLICIES

Graduate students in the College of Education are responsible for meeting University and the Graduate School policy, and for meeting Program requirements.  See the Graduate Catalog and Graduate Policies governing graduate education at the University of Maryland. The schedule adjustment policy is available from the Office of the Registrar and provides information on adding and dropping courses, penalties, and refund schedules. 

FORMS

Graduate students are required to submit various forms at specific points in the program and as part of the degree clearance process. Please refer to Steps Toward Graduation to determine the steps and forms that are required. To access forms used by graduate students visit the Graduate Studies Forms page in Student Services.

Handbook

Students should consult the Program Handbook for specific requirements.