This highly customizable, 32-credit EdM program is ideal for aspiring or developing leaders of alternative, independent, and international schools as well as those interested in a career in education-related community organizations, institutes, think tanks, and state and federal service, and international education enterprises. This program is also useful for professionals in such areas as journalism, law, education sales and marketing, and elected and appointed offices who wish to specialize in educational issues, products, or services.

Required Courses for an EdM (8 credits)

• AP 662 Strategic Planning and Implementation (4 cr)
• RS 600 Introduction to Research (4 cr)

As listed above, there are only two required courses for the EdM in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (no sub-concentration); however, students may choose to elect additional courses in one of three broad focus areas: Pre-K–12 Educational Leadership; Policy, Planning, and Administration; and Higher Education. Those interested in pursuing one of these focus areas may select courses from the Recommended Electives below. Students may also, with guidance from their advisor, take electives from multiple focus areas as well as design their own program of studies.

Recommended Electives—Pre-K–12 Educational Leadership Focus (16 credits)

• AP 720 Performance-Based Instructional Leadership (4 cr)
• AP 750 Educator Evaluation and Supervision (4 cr)
• AP 758 School Governance, Finance, and Operations (4 cr)
• AP 800 Practicum and Seminar (4 cr)

Recommended Electives—Policy, Planning, and Administration Focus (16 credits)

• AP 600 Diversity and Justice (4 cr)
• AP 753 Educational Policy (4 cr)
• AP 754 Educational Equity and the Law (2 cr)
• AP 757 School Labor Relations and Personnel Management (2 cr)
• AP 758 School Governance, Finance, and Operations (4 cr)

Recommended Electives—Higher Education Focus (16 credits)

• AP 550 Perspectives on Higher Education (4 cr)
• AP 551 Issues in Higher Education Administration (4 cr)
• AP 612 Governance and Decision Making in Higher Education (4 cr)
• AP 730 Innovation in Higher Education (4 cr)

Other Electives (8 credits)

On Campus

The Higher Education Administration (HEA) specialization is for students seeking to begin or advance their careers in college and university administration. Structured within a broad-based curriculum and customized electives, HEA strives to reflect the contemporary higher education landscape and issues impacting colleges and universities. Curricular emphasis focuses on engaging students in theory-to-practice learning through exposure to, exploration in, and experiential opportunities with core higher education concepts of history, theories of student learning and development, strategic planning and administration, legal issues, research and assessment, social justice perspectives, and current issues, while also allowing personalization through the selection of electives. The program prepares graduates to work in a wide variety of professional and educational roles including student affairs, academic administration, pre-college advisement, career advisement, fundraising and development, alumni relations, admissions, and financial aid, among others.

Core Coursework (24–28 credits)

• SED AP 550 Perspectives on Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 551 Issues in Higher Education Administration (4 cr)
• SED AP 615 Theories of Student Learning & Development in Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 662 Strategic Planning and Implementation (4 cr)
• SED AP 755 Legal Issues in Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 801 Professional Development Seminar (Part I, 2 cr; Part II, 2 cr)—only a core course for full-time students
• SED RS 600 Introduction to Research (4 cr)

Elective Coursework (8–12 credits)

Students complete 8–12 credits of graduate-level courses with topics related to higher education. Full-time students choose two courses, or 8 credits, while part-time students choose three courses, or 12 credits. Courses are selected in consultation with an academic advisor and may be completed at any school within BU.

Fieldwork: Graduate Assistantship/Internship

A graduate assistantship (or internship) is required for all full-time students and strongly recommended for part-time students with limited work experience in higher education. Faculty members will assist students with the assistantship/internship search process. However, it is the student’s responsibility to secure the practical experience. Students engaged in fieldwork should also enroll in the AP 801 Professional Development Seminar course.

Online (Total Credits: 36)

The Higher Education Administration specialization is a 36-credit concentration (beginning fall 2017) for part-time students seeking to enter or advance their careers in higher education administration. The program prepares graduates to work in a wide variety of professional roles in higher education including, but not limited to, student life, financial aid, admissions, career advisement, academic administration, pre-college advisement, and development and alumni relations. Curricular emphasis provides students a broad foundation in higher education administration including insight into historical/contemporary perspectives, contemporary issues, and social and personnel functions of higher education as well as governance and legal issues.

Core Coursework (36 credits)

All online coursework is carousel scheduled. Each course is organized in 7-week modules. Part-time students may enroll in up to two courses per semester. Students have the option to enroll at the start of Fall, Spring, or Summer.

• SED AP 550 Perspectives on Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 600 Diversity and Justice in Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 553 Student Affairs in Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 730 Innovations in Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 755 Legal Issues in Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED RS 600 Introduction to Research (Wheelock-wide required course for all master’s students) (4 cr)
• SED AP 662 Strategic Planning and Implementation (4 cr)
• SED AP 612 Governance and Decision Making in Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 551 Issues in Higher Education Administration (4 cr)

This highly customizable, 32-credit EdM program is ideal for aspiring or developing leaders of alternative, independent, and international schools as well as those interested in a career in education-related community organizations, institutes, think tanks, and state and federal service, and international education enterprises. This program is also useful for professionals in such areas as journalism, law, education sales, and marketing, and elected and appointed offices who wish to specialize in educational issues, products, or services.

Required Courses for an EdM (8 credits)

• AP 662 Strategic Planning and Implementation (4 cr)
• RS 600 Introduction to Research (4 cr)

As listed above, there are only two required courses for the EdM in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (non-licensure); however, students may choose to elect additional courses in one of two broad focus areas: Pre-K–12 Educational Leadership and Policy, Planning, and Administration. Those interested in pursuing one of these focus areas may select courses from the Recommended Electives below. Students may also, with guidance from their advisor, take electives from multiple focus areas as well as design their own program of studies.

Recommended Electives—Pre-K–12 Educational Leadership Focus (16 credits) and Policy, Planning, and Administration (16 credits)

• AP 720 Performance-Based Instructional Leadership (4 cr)
• AP 750 Educator Evaluation and Supervision (4 cr)
• AP 758 School Governance, Finance, and Operations (4 cr)
• AP 800 Practicum and Seminar (4 cr)
• AP 600 Diversity and Justice (4 cr)
• AP 753 Educational Policy (4 cr)
• AP 754 Educational Equity and the Law (2 cr)
• AP 757 School Labor Relations and Personnel Management (2 cr)
• AP 758 School Governance, Finance, and Operations (4 cr)

Other Electives (8 credits)

The Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development is committed to improving public education for all students by providing schools and school districts with instructional leaders who:

• Understand and adapt to the changing needs of their students, schools, and communities.
• Have a vision of effective instruction grounded in research.
• Utilize both qualitative and quantitative data to realize that vision.

Utilizing a wide network of affiliated school leaders from throughout greater Boston and beyond, our Educational Leadership Licensure Programs (ELLPs) provide aspiring school leaders with a unique combination of practice-embedded coursework and research-informed clinical experience leading toward both an EdM and eligibility for a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) administrator license as a:

• Principal/Assistant Principal (Pre-K–8 or 5–12)
• Special Education Administrator
• Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent
• Supervisor/Director

The courses listed below provide the theoretical foundation, professional skills, and knowledge base that the students will apply in their clinical experiences leading to mastery of the state licensure standards and indicators.

Core Courses for All Licenses

• AP 720 Performance-Based Instructional Leadership (4 cr)
• AP 758 School Governance, Finance, and Operations (4 cr)
• AP 662 Strategic Planning and Implementation (4 cr)
• AP 750 Educator Evaluation and Supervision (4 cr)
• AP 757 School Labor Relations and Personnel Management (2 cr)
• AP 754 Educational Equity and the Law (2 cr)
• AP 526 Family and Community Engagement (2 cr)
• TL 530 School Leadership: English Language Learners (2 cr)
• RS 600 Introduction to Research (for EdM) (4 cr)

Supervisor/Director License

The 28 credits above, and:

• CT 721 Analysis and Design of Curriculum (4 cr)
• CT 801 Leadership Practicum & Seminar (300 hours) (4 cr)

Special Education Administrator License

The 28 credits above, and:

• SE 744 School Administration and Special Needs (4 cr)
• SE 702 Leadership Practicum & Seminar (600 hours) (8 cr)

Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent License

The 28 credits above, and:

• AP 761 Organizational Analysis (4 cr)
• AP 805 Leadership Practicum & Seminar (600 hours) (8 cr)

Principal/Assistant Principal License

The 28 credits above, and:

• AP 802, 803, or 804 Leadership Practicum & Seminar (600 hours) (8 cr)

At the core of our program is an intensive clinical relationship among the student, a highly experienced field-based practitioner, and a University-based supervisor. This clinical relationship enables the student to relate course assignments to the field, applying theories learned in the classroom to the practice of leading educational institutions. It also provides entry into a practicum experience in which DESE’s Professional Standards and Indicators for Administrative Leadership (PSIs) are practiced and mastered.

Social Work (minimum of 50 credits)

Required Courses:

• SSW MP 759 Communities & Organizations (3 cr)
• SSW CP 759 Intro to SW Clin Prac. (3 cr)
• SSW HB 720 Human Behavior (3 cr)
• SSW WP 700 Soc. Welfare Policy I (3 cr)
• SSW WP 701 Soc. Welfare Policy II (3 cr)
• SSW FE 801 Field Ed I (3 cr)
• SSW FE 802 Field Ed II (3 cr)
• SSW FE 803 Field Education III (4 cr)
• SSW FE 804 Field Education IV (4 cr)
• SSW FE 800 Field Ed Seminar (0 cr, 2 semesters)
• SSW SR 743 Research I (3 cr)
• SSW SR 744 Research II (3 cr) **
• SSW ET 753 Ethics (3 cr)
• SSW HB 735 Racial Justice (or HB Elective) (3 cr)
• SSW HB XXX elective (or HB 735) (3 cr)
• SSE WP XXX Welfare Policy elective (3 cr)**
• SSW elective (3 cr)**
• SSW elective (3 cr)**

For Clinical Majors:

• SSW CP 770 Clinical Practice w/ Indiv. (2 cr)
• SSW CP 771 Clinical Practice w/ Grps (2 cr)
• SSW CP 772 Clinical Practice w/Fam (2 cr)
• SSW CP XXX Clinical Prac. Elective (3 cr)

For Macro Majors:

• SSW MP 773 Human Services Management (3 cr)
• SSW MP 781 Community Organizing (3 cr)
• SSW MP 783 Planning and Program Development (3 cr)

**Courses for which specific Wheelock courses can be substituted.

Educational Leadership 

Required Courses (10 credits):

• SED AP 753 Educational Policy (4 cr)
• SED RS 653 Quantitative Research (4 cr)
• SED AP 754 Educational Equity and the Law (2 cr)

Electives (14 credits):

• SED AP 600 Diversity and Justice in Education (4 cr)
• SED SE 706 Introduction of Special Education (4 cr)
• SED ED 600 Schooling in the United States (4 cr)
• SED AP 526 Family & Community Engagement(4 cr)
• SED AP 662 Strategic Planning and Implementation
• SED AP 720 Performance-Based Instructional Leadership
• SED AP 758 School Governance, Finance, and Operations

Electives from SSW or Wheelock (9 credits)