{"id":68112,"date":"2023-06-13T16:14:53","date_gmt":"2023-06-13T20:14:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wheelock\/?post_type=bu-program-page&p=68112"},"modified":"2026-06-05T14:00:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T18:00:40","slug":"ma-in-educational-policy-studies","status":"publish","type":"bu-program-page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wheelock\/degree-program\/educational-leadership-policy-studies\/ma-in-educational-policy-studies\/","title":{"rendered":"MA in Educational Policy Studies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lead Meaningful Change in Education<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shape policy and research to improve education for all with a Master\u2019s in Educational Policy Studies. Through coursework and direct research experience, this Master of Arts (MA) will prepare you to conduct policy-relevant research related to early childhood, K\u201312, and higher education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students in the educational policy master’s program benefit from the program’s location in Boston, which provides direct access to state education agencies, the legislature, major research and advocacy organizations, and one of the country’s largest urban school districts, making real-world policy engagement a natural part of the experience. This program includes an optional, rigorous capstone project to demonstrate what you\u2019ve learned about research methods, policy analysis, and policy systems and processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Program Features<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Complete your Master\u2019s in Educational Policy Studies in one year full time or two years part time. Full-time students must start in the fall, while part-time students can start in fall or spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understand Policy Research and Research Methods <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Address key issues like student achievement, graduation rates, and teacher retention through rigorous research. Unlike many policy programs, the master’s in education policy combines rigorous quantitative training with hands-on policy research partnerships\u2014and puts you in the middle of Boston’s education policy ecosystem from day one.You\u2019ll discover how policies are formed, implemented, and evaluated, and gain experience conducting relevant research. You\u2019ll also learn how to maximize the impact of your work when you share it with academics, policy makers, and the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Complete a Capstone Project <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Investigate a pressing issue in education or child policy through an optional applied research project that you design yourself. You\u2019ll engage in research at BU or at an external organization such as a research firm, advocacy group, or nonprofit. The result is a professional-quality project that proves your ability to inform policy and practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Is This Program For? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Master\u2019s in Educational Policy Studies at BU Wheelock is designed for individuals seeking to turn analytical insight into meaningful impact on education systems through research, policy, and practice. It brings together students from diverse backgrounds interested in improving education systems through evidence-based approaches, such as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n