Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership & Policy

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership & Policy

This program will prepare students for leadership roles in schools and districts across sectors (public, private, parochial, charter, etc.) and geographic regions as well as those who aspire to educational leadership roles in policy or advocacy positions in educational foundations or community-based organizations.

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Talk with our team to learn about the program, the application process, and how we prepare students to lead change.

At a Glance

How are courses offered?


Online and hybrid options are available.

How long will it take?


This program consists of 30 credits. Students typically finish the program in 2 years.

When can I start?


Students can begin the program at the start of the fall, spring, or summer terms.

How much does it cost?


To estimate your total program cost, multiply the number of credits required in your program by the tuition cost per credit.

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Curriculum

Our graduates will apply social justice values and leadership strategies to shape the organizational culture and processes among the professionals (teachers/administrators), community leaders, and parents and families to improve student development.

Requirements


  • Courses: 10
  • Credits: 30

The Educational Leadership program offers four pathways to a Master's Degree.

M.Ed. General Track (Non-Licensure)

M.Ed. Licensure Track

We are an approved teacher preparation program by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Upon successful completion of the Lynch School of Education and Human Development's educator preparation program, students earn an endorsement from Boston College for licensure in Massachusetts.  

  • Students seeking Massachusetts principal licensure take a 6 credit practicum across three semesters and SEI endorsement for school leaders for a total program of study of 30 credits. As part of this program, each student completes a 500-hour substantive practicum across 3 semesters, and prepares a portfolio aligned with the state leadership indicators. The practicum must occur within the state of Massachusetts. For more information about educator licensure, including if you are seeking licensure in another state, please visit the Licensure Disclosure page.
  • To be licensed in this area, the student must possess an Initial License as a teacher in Massachusetts or in a state with which Massachusetts has a reciprocal agreement, and have taught for at least three years by the time they apply for licensure.
  • All students seeking licensure in Massachusetts must pass the Massachusetts Performance Assessment for Leadership (MA-PAL). The University will advise unlicensed private school teachers who are seeking state licensure in the administration of this requirement.

Concentration in Social Justice Leadership

The concentration in Social Justice Leadership helps current and aspiring leaders develop and enact a theory of change to boldly advance equity in schools.  Through a series of three courses, participants discern organizational impediments to students’ opportunities to learn, then envision and enact a systemic response to confront these barriers. The goal of the program is to provide intensive support to educators committed to deepening their knowledge, skills, and dispositions to ameliorate educational inequities.

CourseCourse Title Credit
ELHE 7707 Leadership for Social Justice3
ELHE 7712 School Leadership for Emergent Bilinguals
3
ELHE 7704Ethics and Equity in Education

3

Concentration in Educational Policy Development

The concentration in Educational Policy Development equips current and aspiring leaders in schools and community-based organizations to leverage dramatic organizational change. Through a series of three courses, participants develop a sophisticated appreciation of how policies shape the cultural norms and day-to-day practices at both a micro level (e.g., within institutions) and a macro level (e.g., within a school district, a city, or a state). The goal of the program is to help leaders develop their repertoire of skills to use policy levers to creatively and effectively advance organizational goals.

Two required courses

CourseCourse Title Credit
ELHE 7705Educational Policy Analysis

3
ELHE 7610Applied Education Policy in the Community Context3

Choose 1 of the elective courses

CourseCourse Title Credit
ELHE 7702Educational Policy in Practice3
ELHE 7505Transforming the Field of Catholic Education3
ELHE 7704Ethics and Equity in Education3
ELHE 7707Leadership for Social Justice3
ELHE 7712School Leadership for Emergent Bilinguals3

#22

National ranking for Education Policy program

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

Careers

Explore the outcomes below to learn about the career destinations of our recent alumni
including graduates of the Class of 2020 and 2021. 

Roles

  • Program Support Coordinator
  • Dean of New Faculty
  • Director of Identity & Mission 
  • Professor at the School of Education
  • Associate Director of Admission
  • Language Specialist
  • Director of Campus Ministry
  • Kindergarten Teacher
  • Master Teacher
  • Corporate Banking Trainee

Organizations

  • Chamberlain International School
  • Thayer Academy
  • The Derryfield School
  • Bridge Boston
  • Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
  • Trinity Catholic Academy
  • Colby College
  • Match Education
  • WSFS Bank
  • Boston College High School

Tuition & Aid

Education should level the playing field. We feel the same way about financial aid.

The Lynch School of Education and Human Development provides more than $11.4 million in financial aid to students each year. As a result, the quality of Boston College’s instruction, the benefit of our alumni network, and the impact a Boston College degree will have on your employment options is both affordable and invaluable. 

Our Community

Faculty

Fulfilling our social justice mission, our internationally recognized Educational Leadership and Higher Education faculty develop agents of cultural change—reflective practitioners committed to making schools more equitable. Our team integrates interdisciplinary theory with the most current evidence-based practices.

Accreditation

We are an approved teacher preparation program by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Upon successful completion of the Lynch School of Education and Human Development's educator preparation program, students earn endorsement from Boston College for licensure in Massachusetts. For more information about educator licensure, including if you are seeking licensure in another state, please visit the Licensure Disclosure Page.

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  • Bachelor's degree required
  • 2+ years of professional experience in an educational setting is preferred


Application & Deadlines

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Prerequisite Information:

  • Bachelor's degree required
  • 2+ years of professional experience in an educational setting is preferred
  • A non-refundable application fee of $75 is currently waived.

Deadlines

Summer 2025:

  • Preferred Decision Deadline: January 15
  • Priority Decision Deadline: February 25
  • Rolling Admissions Ends: March 25

Fall 2025:

  • Preferred Decision Deadline: May 1
  • Priority Decision Deadline: June 11
  • Rolling Admissions Ends: July 15

Resume

To be uploaded to your online application.

In addition to your academic history and relevant work experience, please include any licenses currently held, any experiences related to global education or global citizenship, any language skills other than English, and any research experience or publications.

Please include educational experiences that occurred in Pre-K to 12th grade classrooms, after school programs, community-based programs, or adult education settings.

Personal Statement

To be uploaded to your online application.

In 1,000-1,500 words, describe your academic and professional goals, any experience relevant to this program, and your future plans, expectations, and aspirations.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required, with at least one preferably coming from an academic source. Applicants may submit one additional recommendation of their choice.

Transcripts

Transcripts from all college/university study are required.

Applicants who have received degrees from institutions outside the United States should view the ""International Students"" section for additional credential evaluation requirements.

Please begin your online application before submitting your transcripts. Details on how to submit transcripts and international credential evaluations can be found within the application. In order to ensure your transcript reaches our office, it is important to review and follow the instructions.

Standardized Tests

GRE scores are not required. If you wish to send GRE scores, the Lynch School GRE code is 3218.

Please view the "International Students" section for information on English Proficiency test requirements.

International Students

Fully online programs* do not support sponsorship of an F1 visa for International Students. 

Applicants who have completed a degree outside of the United States must have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcript(s) completed by an evaluation company approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University.

Applicants who are not native speakers of English and who have not received a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction must also submit a TOEFL or IELTS test result that meets the minimum score requirement.

Please click the link below for full details on these requirements.

Requirements for International Students

 

*The Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy is a fully online program. 

Application FAQs

 

How many courses are required for this program?

This program consists of 12 courses for a total of 30 credits.

How long does this program take to complete?

Most students complete this program within two years.

Do you offer graduate course credit transfer?

Up to six credits or two courses may be accepted as transfer credit. Potential transfer credits are reviewed after admission into the program. 

How much does this program cost?

Read about tuition, fees, scholarships, and other funding opportunities on the tuition and aid webpage.

Do you offer financial aid?

The Lynch School is committed to helping students understand how affordable an excellent graduate education can be. We offer U.S. citizens and permanent residents access to U.S. federal financial aid and all students are considered for scholarship aid. Your application for admission serves as your scholarship application. To learn more, please visit our tuition and aid webpage.

Is the GRE required for admission to this program?

The GRE is accepted, but is not required.

Who can I contact if I have additional questions or wish to learn more about this program?

Our online graduate admissions team is here to help. For questions about this program or the application process, contact our online graduate admissions team by filling out the form here.

Quick Links

Contact Us

  gsoeonline@dos5.net
  617-552-4214