Degree Details
Degree Type
- Master's Programs
Minimum Requirements
- 36 Credits
Formats
- Online
Availability
- Full- and Part-Time Available
Be an Advocate for Young Children
The MA in Leadership, Policy & Advocacy for Early Childhood Well-Being prepares you to understand and influence the systems that impact young children (birth to 8 years) and families. Learn from professionals in medicine, business, humanities, public health, social work, public policy/advocacy, human services, and education.
This online program blends a master’s degree in early childhood leadership knowledge with an education policy master’s knowledge and early childhood studies skills. You’ll have a strong foundation to address systemic inequities through research and policy.
Required courses for the master’s in Leadership, Policy & Advocacy for Early Childhood Well-Being are completed online. Electives and internships may be completed online or in person.
Program Pathways
Policy-Making and Advocacy Work
Prepare to work in early childhood education policy at the local, state or national level. Complete fieldwork at nonprofits, government agencies, research firms, and policy centers in your home location or nationally. Learn to craft policy and champion causes vital to childhood well-being as you complete your program with skills found across early childhood leadership master’s and education policy master’s programs.
In-School Leadership, Research, and Curriculum Development
Want to stay in a school setting? With our MA in Leadership, Policy & Advocacy for Early Childhood Well-Being, you’ll dig into leadership practices to guide program development and conduct and analyze research—all to the benefit of your students and school community. This is the power of a program that draws from the curricula of a master’s in early childhood leadership and education policy master’s.
Gain Meaningful Field Experience
With a comprehensive program that blends learning typically found in a master’s in early childhood leadership, an education policy master’s, and an early childhood studies master’s, you can tackle the challenges in the early childhood education field and support children and families to thrive. Approach problems through education policy, research, or advocacy and complete field-based experiences that build these skills.
Faculty advisors will serve as mentors throughout your placement, and you can even complete the fieldwork at your place of employment.
“My BU Wheelock experience has taught me that I am more resilient, curious, and passionate than I ever realized. Immersing myself in a program that blends theory with hands-on practice has revealed my ability to adapt quickly, ask deeper questions, and engage meaningfully with complex issues in early childhood education.”
Related Programs
EdM in Early Childhood Education with Licensure
Looking for a program focused on classroom and educational settings? The early childhood education master’s program offers students four pathways to a degree, including the option to seek teacher licensure.
Early Childhood Education CAGS
If you are already licensed to teach PreK–2nd grade and have an early childhood studies master’s degree or education policy master’s degree, the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Early Childhood Education can expand your professional knowledge and experience.
MA in Educational Policy Studies
Be prepared to conduct rigorous education-focused research and data analysis to make informed decisions about PreK–20 education and child policies. With the MA in Educational Policy Studies, you’ll explore research policy, and learn to apply research to understand and evaluate policy.
EdM in Educational Leadership (PreK–12)
If you want to have an impact on PreK–12 education through leadership and policy roles at the local, state, and federal level, the EdM in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies (PreK–12) offers several options, including administrator licensure.
Child Policy Graduate Certificate
With the Child Policy Graduate Certificate, you’ll strengthen your knowledge of child, youth, and family policy to work on behalf of children (ages 0–12) and adolescents (ages 13–20) being served in education, health, or juvenile justice settings.
Career Outcomes in Leadership, Policy & Advocacy for Early Childhood
Play a crucial role in children’s development as an early childhood educator or policy advocate. After completing the MA in Leadership, Policy & Advocacy for Early Childhood Well-Being, you’ll have the skills to:
- Critically analyze current research on young children and their environments, and policies that affect them
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of texts, concepts, and issues in early childhood
- Develop the skills necessary to actively dismantle systemic oppression in one’s practice settings and systems
- Understand public and private social policy as it pertains to young children, their families, and the systems that contain them
Alumni in Leadership, Policy & Advocacy for Early Childhood Well-Being
When considering early childhood leadership master’s and education policy master’s programs, it’s important to look at student outcomes. Graduates of our MA in Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy for Early Childhood Well-Being utilize their knowledge and skills in early childhood education, policy, leadership, or research in a variety of professions.
BU Wheelock alumni go on to lead as:
- Policy maker
- Advocate
- Program leader
- Government/Nonprofit leader
- Researcher
- Policy/Data analyst
“Returning to school is a long term dream of mine and at BU Wheelock, I was able to achieve that dream. I really have unlocked a door for myself being here that I would have otherwise been unable to get to.”
Featured Faculty
When considering early childhood leadership master’s and education policy master’s programs, it’s important to look at the interests and values of the faculty. The faculty of BU Wheelock’s program bring diverse professional experiences that span early childhood education, children and youth policymaking, special education, and human development.
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Dina C. Castro
Director, Institute for Early Childhood Well-Being
Bahamdan Professor in Early Childhood Well-Being -
Kyle DeMeo Cook
Clinical Assistant Professor
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Felicity Crawford
Program Director, Education for Equity & Social Justice
Clinical Associate Professor -
Stephanie Curenton
Director, Center on the Ecology of Early Development (CEED)
Professor and Program Director, Child Policy certificate -
Karen Murphy
Program Director, Early Childhood
Clinical Associate Professor -
Amy O’Leary
Part-Time Instructor
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Eleonora Villegas-Reimers
Chair, Teaching & Learning Department
Clinical Professor
Dr. Kyle DeMeo Cook‘s research focuses on using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches to better understand early childhood policy topics, such as access to early education and childcare, the transition to kindergarten, and collaborations between early education and K–12.
Dr. Cook has conducted research in nonprofit and academic settings, and taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She has worked extensively in partnership with state and local agencies, school districts, early education programs, and other leaders to design, conduct, and disseminate education research.
Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy Courses
The MA in Leadership, Policy & Advocacy for Early Childhood Well-Being offers a flexible curriculum with classes in a range of disciplines, including early childhood education, human development, applied psychology, and social science research.
Courses include:
- Child Development & Families in Societal and Cultural Contexts
- Psychology of Oppression
- Child Policy
Scholarships Available
Don’t let funding keep you from pursuing an early childhood leadership master’s or education policy master’s. Boston University’s funding options can make it happen. In our MA in Leadership, Policy & Advocacy for Early Childhood Well-Being, merit-based scholarships are available.
Admissions & Dates
Fall & Spring 2027
Aug 3, 2026
Application Opens
Spring 2027 Start
Dec 15, 2026
Application Closes
Fall 2027 Start
Jan 15, 2027
Priority Deadline
Fall 2027 Start
Aug 1, 2027
Application Closes
Connect with BU Wheelock to learn more about the MA in Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy for Early Childhood Well-Being. Learn about application requirements and deadlines, sign up for an information session, or start your application today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Boston University’s MA in Leadership, Policy & Advocacy for Early Childhood Well-Being is offered fully online, with full-time and part-time enrollment options. The flexible format is designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers while building expertise in early childhood leadership, policy, advocacy, and research.
You’ll be prepared for leadership roles across education, government, nonprofit organizations, research centers, and public health. Career paths include early childhood policy analyst, advocate, program director, researcher, curriculum leader, and nonprofit or government leader focused on improving outcomes for young children and families.
You’ll develop expertise in child development, early childhood policy, leadership, advocacy, research methods, and systems change. The interdisciplinary curriculum explores how education, health, human development, and public policy intersect to improve the well-being of children from birth to age 8 and their families.
Yes. Students complete field experiences that connect coursework with real-world practice. Placements can be completed in settings such as nonprofit organizations, government agencies, research centers, early childhood organizations, or other approved sites, allowing students to apply their learning to issues that matter most in their communities.
Boston University’s program combines the flexibility of online learning with an interdisciplinary approach to early childhood well-being. You’ll learn from experts across education, public health, social work, psychology, and public policy while gaining the knowledge and practical experience to influence systems, shape policy, and advocate for young children and families.
Background Checks
Students who are admitted into BU Wheelock routinely participate in field experiences as a part of their respective program curriculum and requirements. Most field sites require criminal background checks to determine students’ eligibility for participation. History of a criminal background may disqualify students from participating in these required experiences, which in turn may impede the successful completion of one’s degree program.