MA in Educational Policy Studies

The Master of Arts in Educational Policy Studies program prepares students for a variety of careers including positions in research firms and think tanks, foundations, nonprofits, or government research offices. This program balances training in research methods with deliberations on the foundations, design, and implementation of education and child policies. Students will gain understanding of policy research and research methods through both coursework and direct research experience. Full-time students are expected to complete the degree in one year (fall and spring semester). A part-time option allows students to complete the program over two academic years.

Learning Outcomes

This program is designed to prepare you to conduct applied policy-relevant research related to education issues, practices, or the workforce spanning early childhood, K-12, and higher education. At the end of this program you will be able to demonstrate the following professional competences:

  • Demonstrate competence in using statistical software to prepare and analyze data for quantitative statistical analysis and for qualitative analyses.
  • Analyze and discuss the effects of existing educational policies (federal, state, local) on important outcomes of interest (e.g., student achievement, graduation rates, teacher retention, program/school quality).
  • Demonstrate the ability to independently conduct research on education and/or child policy topics using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
  • Understand how policies are formed, implemented, and evaluated.
  • Disseminate research results to multiple audiences, including academics, policymakers, and the public.

Required Core Coursework (24 credits)

  • SED AP 600 Diversity and Justice in Education (4 cr)
  • SED AP 753 Educational Policy (4 cr)
  • SED RS 652 Qualitative Research Methods (4 cr)
  • SED RS 653 Quantitative Research Methods (4 cr)
  • One of two available courses in advanced research methods:
    • SED RS 752 Seminar in Qualitative Research (4 cr)
    • SED RS 753 Causal Design in Education Research (4 cr)
  • SED RS 710 Educational Research Seminar (2 cr)
  • SED APxxx Public Policy for Research (2 cr)

Elective Coursework (7–8 credits)

Students complete 7 to 8 credits of graduate-level courses (approximately two courses) with topics related to research methods, education, human development, and/or policymaking. One elective course can be taken outside of the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. Courses are selected in consultation with an academic advisor.

Research Apprenticeship (2 credits)

Students are required to successfully complete an apprenticeship (SED RS 699) with an SED faculty member or a partnering organization on a student-led research project. Students work on this apprenticeship in both the fall and spring semesters, receiving 1 credit each semester. The apprenticeship/internship culminates into a capstone project for the program in the form of research brief and policy presentation. Faculty advisors will assist students with the search and placement process.

Workshop on Fundamental Statistics (0 credits, required)

Students are required to attend a 4-day statistics workshop the summer before the degree program starts. The goal of this workshop is to refresh and prepare students for the Quantitative Methods research course RS 653 and any other advanced research methods courses. (There is also an option for students to test out of this workshop per successful performance on a test and their advisor’s approval.)