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 .
Please refer to the for instructions on how to apply for graduate admission. If you have questions or concerns, we ask you to first review our list of  . International applicants should visit the 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 contactlpl-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
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
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.