A Master of Education Degree That Drives Social Change
As an MEd student, you’ll learn how to evaluate, create, and research education policy that facilitates exceptional learning experiences for all learners. With an emphasis on cross-sector leadership, law, economics, equity, communications, innovation, and research in education, our MEd degree prepares you with the tools to transform systems for a more equitable future.
The Master of Education (MEd) in Education Policy and Leadership can empower you to change the course of American education through innovative, evidence-based, and antiracist programs and policies. As an American University graduate, you’ll join a network of passionate faculty, students, and alumni who are reshaping education in the United States.
Estimated Time to Completion
Less than two years
On Campus, Online, or Hybrid options
Learn where you want, as fast as you want
Required Credits
30 credits
Alumni Network
Join an active and supportive alumni network
Experienced Faculty
Learn from current and former education policymakers
Program Highlights
Graduates of the MEd program will be equipped with the skills every education leader needs to be effective, including strategic budgeting, collaborative inquiry, policy analysis, partnership building, learning science, and program evaluation. We strive to hone students’ knowledge and develop their skills and beliefs in the following four domains:
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Analyze Systems, Policies, and Leadership - Students will be able to frame problems, understanding the role racialized identities and positionalities play to critically analyze education policies and leadership strategies using data, policy/legal/economic/equity frameworks, real-world experience, and other evidence.
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Research - Students will be able to leverage research practices to evaluate and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to inform antiracist decisions and continuous improvement.
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Cross-Boundary and Antiracist Leadership - Students will be able to provide cross-boundary and antiracist leadership by focusing on collaboration, communications, advocacy, and management.
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Systems Thinking and Change - Students will be able to disrupt and dismantle elements of oppressive education and other social systems to reimagine and rebuild antiracist systems that support all students.
These domains serve as the backbone of our program and live out in each course, module, and experience that our students engage in. After completing their coursework and their proseminar course, students will have the policy, leadership, and research skills necessary to serve in senior positions in school district central offices, independent schools, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and more.
The Master of Education Cohort Experience
Peer learning and a sustained learning network are essential hallmarks of the MEd degree program. As a result, students will progress through the program as part of a cohort, taking the same courses, and accomplishing program milestones together. We intentionally build a diverse cohort of students to contribute to the dynamic learning environment in the program. Learning will occur through robust dialogue, shared learning experiences, guest speakers with practical experience, and more.
Where Policy Meets Practice: The Power of the Proseminar Experience
The Proseminar course offers a hands-on consulting experience that immerses students in real-world educational challenges. Working in small teams, students serve as consultants for education and related organizations across the country—conducting research and developing tailored solutions that address each organization’s unique needs. Building on their prior coursework, students integrate key competencies into their project work, including:
- Developing research questions
- Collecting and analyzing data and sources
- Critiquing and creating education policies
- Drawing from real-world experiences to inform their work
By the end of the course, students not only contribute meaningful solutions to pressing educational issues, they also gain practical, career-ready experience that prepares them to lead change in the field.
AU students have had the opportunity to work with incredible partners representing diverse perspectives, including:
- AASA: The School Superintendents Association
- The Afterschool Alliance
- The Aspen Institute
- Center for American Progress
- Center for Black Educator Deveclopment
- The College Board
- DC Public Charter School Board
- DC State Board of Education
- Deputy Mayor for Education
- Education Counsel
- Education Trust
- The Institute for Educational Leadership
- Jumpstart
- National League of Cities
- New Leaders
- Strive Together
- TeachPlus
- US Department of Education
- The Opportunity Institute – The Opportunity Institute, an organization focused on equity and established by President Obama’s National Commission on Education Equity and Excellence, requested students to examine school discipline disparities, practices, and policies, and to propose policy recommendations in three states.
- America’s Promise – Students collaborating with America’s Promise, initially led by Gen. Colin L. Powell and later by his wife, Alma, developed a strategy to launch a governor’s council where policymakers would be asked to demonstrate their commitment to youth.
- AASA: The School Superintendents Association – Students collaborating with AASA, the Superintendents Association, created a literature review on the mental health of students in grades 7 to 12.
“The work done by the AU students has been foundational to AASA as we look towards expanding our mental health portfolio in the coming year. The literature review provides the kind of information that we need, but don’t have the time or bandwidth to research as we work on multiple initiatives. They shared how the research was informing their current practice in school and understood the importance of further work on mental health and school-aged students.”
– Kayla Jackson, Project Director at AASA
Online Master of Education Curriculum
The Master of Education (MEd) in Education Policy and Leadership provides professionals with the knowledge and skills to transform schools and school systems. Its focus on policy studies prepares graduates to serve as leaders in organizations—including federal and state education agencies, school districts, charter organizations, and nonprofits—that implement education policies and programs. Students may work full-time while enrolled in two courses each semester and complete the program within a twenty-month period, or accelerate their studies to one year by taking a mix of on-campus and online classes over three semesters (our hybrid option). A sample of part-time study:
2 Hours
Synchronous
Live in-person or online classes with students in your cohort attended according to a specific schedule.
1-2 Hours
Asynchronous
Self-paced discussions and other course-related work.
5-7 Hours
Assignments
Homework, projects, research, etc.
8-11 Hours
Total Weekly Hours
Hours are estimates and subject to change per term course.
Curriculum Timeline Options
| Fall Semester 1 | Spr Sem 1 | Sum Sem 1 | Fall Sem 2 | Spr Sem 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
EDU 631 |
EDU 636 Education Law and Policy |
EDU 693 Education Program and Policy Implementation |
EDU 633 |
EDU 686 Proseminar in Education Policy and Leadership |
|
EDU 634 |
EDU 610 Overview of Qual. and Quant. Strat. |
EDU ? Elective |
EDU 790 Quantitative Research in Education |
EDU ? Elective |
| Semester 1 | Sem 2 | Sem 3 | Sem 4 | Sem 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDU 631 Education Leadership and Organizational Change |
EDU 636 Education Law and Policy |
EDU 693 Education Program and Policy Implementation |
EDU 790 Quantitative Research in Education |
EDU 686 Proseminar in Education Policy and Leadership |
|
EDU 634 |
EDU 610 |
EDU ? Elective |
EDU 633 Economic Inquiry in Education |
EDU ? |
| Fall Semester 1 | Spring Sem 2 | Summer Sem 3 |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 631 Education Leadership and Organizational Change (On-campus) |
EDU 636 |
EDU 686 |
|
EDU 634 |
EDU 610 |
EDU 790 |
| EDU ? Elective |
EDU 633 Economic Inquiry in Education (Online) |
EDU 693 |
| - | - | EDU ? Elective |
EdTech Opportunities
EdTech refers to the hardware and software tools that help enhance classroom experiences and student outcomes. Roles mentioned previously—including instructional designer, curriculum specialist, and education consultant—all contribute to EdTech. Other potential opportunities include:
- E-learning directors, or online learning directors, work with faculty and teaching staff to create, enhance, and facilitate e-learning opportunities for students. According to Glassdoor, e-learning directors earn an average salary of about $106,500.
Higher Education Administration and Leadership Roles
An MEd creates opportunities beyond K12 education. A number of roles in higher education administration are open to holders of this degree, including:
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Postsecondary education administrators oversee student services, academics, and faculty research at colleges and universities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for postsecondary education administrators was $102,610 in May 2023.
Education Policy and Consulting Roles
Graduates hoping to exert a wide-reaching impact on education may want to pursue analyst or consultant roles such as:
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Organizational development consultants apply the principles used to improve education performance in the private sector. They identify performance gaps and devise solutions. ZipRecruiter estimates the average annual income for organizational development consultants at about $110,000.
Corporate Training and Development Roles
The skills gained through a Master of Education program can benefit you beyond the formal education sector. Corporate training and development managers plan, coordinate, and direct programs designed to increase the skills and knowledge of a company's staff. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual income for training and development managers of about $125,000.
Curriculum Development and Support Roles
Curriculum development and design offers varied opportunities to education professionals with advanced credentials, including the following:
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Instructional design managers and directors oversee teams of instructional designers responsible for creating and improving effective learning pathways for students. Talent.com reports an average annual salary for instructional design directors of $96,500.
Video: Education Policy & Leadership Program
Watch this video to learn about education policy and leadership programs at AU.
Upcoming Education Policy and Leadership (MEd) Open House
Wednesday, October 15 from 7-8 p.m. (ET)
View this recorded alumni panel including recent alumni answering questions about their experiences in the program.
Contact edpolicy@american.edu with any questions.
MEd Degree Alumni and Outcomes
Our alumni are working to change the lives of students throughout the country and the world. Within six months of completing their programs, 98 percent of American University’s MEd degree graduates are working, continuing their education, or both.*
*American University does not guarantee employment after graduation.
Job Opportunities
Our MEd in Education Policy and Leadership prepares graduates for a variety of roles outside the classroom. The following is a sample of educational leadership roles and their median annual wages per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or Glassdoor (2024).
| Job | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Director of inclusion | $248,000 |
| Education program manager | $159,000 |
| Assistant director of finance and operations | $156,100 |
| Director of curriculum and instruction | $114,000 |
| Principal | $103,460 |
| Dean of academics | $102,610 |
| Policy analyst | $102,000 |
| Learning specialist | $89,000 |
| Instructional coordinator | $74,620 |
Summer 2026 Master's Program Key Dates
- Priority Scholarship Deadline: November 11, 2025
- Priority Application Deadline: March 23, 2026
- Final Application Deadline: April 20, 2026
- Final Deposit Deadline: May 1, 2026
- Classes Begin: May 11, 2026
Select MEd Faculty Members
Jennifer Steele Professor SOE | General Academics & Research
Robert Shand Associate Professor SOE | General Academics & Research
Reuben Jacobson Director of the Education Policy and Leadership Program & Hurst Sr. Professorial Lecturer SOE | Online Partner Programs (OLP)
Kecia Hayes Senior Professorial Lecturer SOE | Online Partner Programs (OLP)
Terence Ngwa Director of ARASL Program & Senior Professorial Lecturer SOE | General Academics & Research
Eugene Pringle Senior Professorial Lecturer SOE | Online Partner Programs (OLP)
Connect with Us
Speak to an Enrollment Advisor
Email: SOEOnline@american.edu | Call: 202-807-6173
Online Events
Schedule a School Tour
Our online students, as well as prospective students, are always welcome to tour our campus.
Email: SOEAdmissions@american.edu
FAQs
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.
Yes, the program was designed to accommodate students who are full-time professionals. On-Campus classes are held in the evening 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET and online classes are held in the evening from 7:30 p.m. - 9:20 p.m. 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, employees, or alumni. Please visit the Scholarships & Grants page for a list of partnership organizations and other American University partners.
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