MEd in Education Policy and Leadership
Gain the knowledge and skills in policy, leadership, law, economics, and research to transform school systems.
Online Learning with Lasting Impact
American University’s online School of Education is proud to offer you an excellent, one-of-a-kind education. Our combination of innovative technology, carefully considered curricula, and valuable partnerships will fully prepare you to become the world-changing educator you set out to be.
Online Students Experience:
Our learning management system (LMS), Canvas, serves as the hub for all course content and activities. You can manage everything from course syllabi, tasks, and materials to grading requirements, schedules, and communication with your instructors and peers. Our LMS was built to be easy for everyone to use—anytime, anywhere—and to provide a rich and interactive online learning experience.
You’ll enjoy the flexibility of asynchronous coursework (individual study on your own time) combined with weekly live online sessions designed around a flipped-classroom approach. Students are introduced to content on their own and then further explore that content in class.
Live sessions are highly interactive and take place in the Zoom video platform. Our faculty uses a portion of these sessions to answer questions and clarify confusing or difficult concepts, but the bulk of this time is spent on student-centered activities. Live sessions are approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, and the dates and times are shared with students as early as possible to ensure they can attend.
MEd Proseminar Course: Gain hands-on, real-world experience through a practical consultancy project for an education organization in your final semester.
MAT Student Teaching: American University will work with you to arrange student teaching experiences alongside teachers in schools near you.
EdD Residency: Students are required to attend three residencies at American University, allowing students to broaden their connections with faculty and advising staff, familiarize themselves with the various academic and professional resources American University offers, and deepen the relationships they have forged within their cohort.
Personal Relationships
We understand how important it is for students to develop lasting personal and professional relationships with peers and faculty members. That’s why we emphasize group work and collaboration in our virtual classrooms—so you’ll be fully prepared and confident when you’re running your own. You’ll get to know and engage with faculty members and fellow students through video introductions and familiar social tools such as messaging and chat. As a result, you’ll graduate from your program connected with a network of faculty members and peers that complements your new skills and knowledge.
Valuable Connections
Our Washington, DC, campus location means we’re part of an active community of educational institutions that are working together to improve education systems. When you enroll at AU, you become a lifetime member of this thriving community. Each of American University’s programs in the online School of Education offers students the benefits of partnerships with institutions such as the Lab School of Washington, a pioneering arts-based scholastic day school for students (grades K–6) with learning disabilities that was founded by Sally L. Smith in 1967.
Small Class Sizes
American University’s online School of Education programs support you through every step of your educational journey. Our programs maintain a low student-to-instructor ratio to keep our virtual classrooms small and intimate. This means you can expect a supportive learning environment and personalized attention throughout your coursework and fieldwork experiences.
National Rankings and Research Excellence
American University’s School of Education continues to earn national recognition for its excellence and innovation. In the 2025 rankings, it was named No. 31 for Best Education Master’s Degree School in the U.S. (College Factual), received GOLD recognition for Global Online Learning (Times Higher Education), and ranked No. 19 in the nation for Co-Ops and Internships (U.S. News & World Report).
Additionally, American University has received the prestigious R1 designation from the Carnegie Classification, the highest recognition for doctoral research institutions in the United States. This designation underscores the university’s leadership in advanced research. It connects students with faculty, staff, and peers who generate innovative ideas and translate their research into practical applications through inclusive, interdisciplinary collaboration.
Master of Arts in Teaching
Earn a teaching license in elementary or special education and gain the skills to enrich your future classroom and school system.
Doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership
Access leadership opportunities in organizational change to ensure a better education system for everyone.
Learn More from Our Faculty and Admissions Experts
Still unsure if American University’s online education programs are right for you? Join us for a virtual information session and hear directly from program faculty and admissions staff about how our degrees are creating transformative education leaders throughout the country. Our webinars dive deep into the curriculum, course load, and expected outcomes of our various online programs and give you a chance to ask any questions you might have.
Admissions
Explore admissions requirements and apply to an online American University School of Education program.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Learn about tuition costs, financial aid, and scholarships you may be eligible to receive as you pursue your educational and career goals.