EdM in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
The Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Program at the Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development is designed to prepare aspiring and developing:
- PreK–12 public, independent, and international school and district leaders.
- Higher education administrators.
- Community, state, federal, and institutional leaders and analysts.
- Other professionals with an interest and/or a specialization in education.
Our mission is to produce scholars, leaders, and analysts who are grounded in policy, practice, and research, and who are equipped to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative educational programs, practices, and services for local, regional, national, and international schools, institutions, and organizations. Our diverse and highly experienced faculty are committed to developing 21st-century educational leaders who are people focused, data informed, and future oriented.
Candidates may pursue an EdM in one of three distinct concentrations or pursue a dual degree:
- Higher Education Administration
- Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, Nonlicensure Track
- PreK–12 Educational Leadership: Licensure Track
- Dual Degree in Educational Leadership & Social Work (EdM/MSW)
Higher Education Administration (Total Units: 36)
This program is offered online and in person.
On Campus
The Higher Education Administration (HEA) specialization is for students seeking to begin or advance their careers in college and university administration. Through required and elective courses, the curriculum provides foundational expertise in the history, purposes, and structure of higher education; explores the interrelationships between theory practice in areas such as student learning and development, legal issues, leadership and management, and educational equity, diversity, and justice; and enables students to apply learning to the analysis of current issues facing higher education through policy analysis and research and assessment. The program prepares graduates to work in a wide variety of professional and educational roles, including student affairs, academic administration, precollege advisement, career advisement, fundraising and development, admissions, and financial aid, among others. Full-time students typically complete their degree in one academic year; part-time students typically complete their degree in four terms plus one summer term. Full-time and part-time students may begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer term.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a proficient understanding of the complex context shaping higher education’s past, present, and future (including cultural, developmental, financial, historical, legal, pedagogical, and political features). Appreciate the rich diversity of institution types and missions that comprise higher education and how the higher education industry relates to broader societal purposes.
- Source and understand scholarly research, understand student development theory, and apply sound assessment practices that lead to improved curricular and cocurricular outcomes. Appreciate the interrelationship between theory and practice in the development of feasible action plans and management practices. Demonstrate proficiency in written and oral communications, especially those that are relevant to professional practice.
- Respond adroitly to complicated issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion within various higher education settings. Appreciate how issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education relate to broader societal purposes.
- Analyze and articulate institutional policies and their implications for effective administration, leadership, and management within higher education. Appreciate how institutions shape and respond to local and national policy environments.
- Understand and be able to assess the characteristics of effective leadership in higher education and reflect critically on one’s own leadership, career, and advancement.
Core Coursework (20 units)
- WED AP 601 History and Foundations of Higher Education (4 units)
- WED AP 615 Theories of Student Learning & Development in Higher Education (4 units)
- WED AP 699 Current Issues in Higher Education: Policy and Practice (4 units)
- WED AP 755 Legal Issues in Higher Education (4 units)
- WED RS 600 Introduction to Research (4 units), WED RS 615 Understanding and Using Research as Evidence (4 units), or another course in the RS (research) series in consultation with a faculty advisor
Elective Coursework (16 units)
Students complete 16 units of graduate-level courses with topics related to higher education. For both full-time and part-time students, all but one of the electives must be selected from graduate courses offered by either the Higher Education Administration program or another ELPS program in Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. Students may select one elective course from another BU graduate program with the approval of their advisor; all such non-HEA courses must be at the 600 level or above. Requests for transfer units will be evaluated according to this specification, i.e., course equivalencies will be evaluated based on existing Higher Education Administration courses and relevant BU graduate courses.
Online
The Higher Education Administration specialization is a 36-unit concentration 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, precollege 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. Students in the online program typically complete their degree in approximately 18 months. All online coursework is carousel scheduled. Each course is organized in seven-week modules. Part-time students may enroll in up to two courses per term. Students have the option to enroll at the start of fall, spring, or summer.
Core Coursework (20 units)
- WED AP 601 History and Foundations of Higher Education (4 units)
- WED AP 615 Theories of Student Learning & Development in Higher Education (4 units)
- WED AP 699 Current Issues in Higher Education: Policy and Practice (4 units)
- WED AP 755 Legal Issues in Higher Education (4 units)
- WED RS 600 Introduction to Research (4 units), WED RS 615 Understanding and Using Research as Evidence (4 units), or another course in the RS (research) series in consultation with a faculty advisor
Elective Coursework (16 units)
Students complete 16 units of graduate-level courses with topics related to higher education. For both full-time and part-time students, all but one of the electives must be selected from graduate courses offered by either the Higher Education Administration program or another ELPS program in Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. Students may select one elective course from another BU graduate program with the approval of their advisor; all such non-HEA courses must be at the 600 level or above. Requests for transfer units will be evaluated according to this specification, i.e., course equivalencies will be evaluated based on existing Higher Education Administration courses and relevant BU graduate courses.
Educational Leadership & Policy Studies (nonlicensure) (Total Units: 32)
This program is offered online and in person.
This highly customizable, 32-unit EdM program is ideal for aspiring or developing leaders of public charter, 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 units)
- WED AP 662 Strategic Planning and Implementation (4 units)
- WED RS 600 Introduction to Research (4 units) or RS 615 Understanding and Applying Educational Research (4 units)
As listed above, there are only two required courses for the EdM in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies (nonlicensure). Students may also, with guidance from their advisor, take electives from multiple focus areas as well as design their own program of studies, such as:
- WED AP 600 Diversity and Justice (4 units)
- WED AP 720 Performance-Based Instructional Leadership (4 units)
- WED AP 750 Educator Evaluation and Supervision (4 units)
- WED AP 753 Educational Policy (4 units)
- WED AP 754 Educational Equity and the Law (2 units)
- WED AP 757 School Labor Relations and Personnel Management (2 units)
- WED AP 758 School Governance, Finance, and Operations (4 units)
- WED AP 800 Practicum and Seminar (4 units)
Educational Leadership & Policy Studies: PreK–12 Educational Leadership, Licensure Track (Total Units: 36–40, depending on license)
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 (PreK–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
- WED AP 526 Family and Community Engagement (2 units)
- WED AP 662 Strategic Planning and Implementation (4 units)
- WED AP 720 Performance-Based Instructional Leadership (4 units)
- WED AP 750 Educator Evaluation and Supervision (4 units)
- WED AP 754 Educational Equity and the Law (2 units)
- WED AP 757 School Labor Relations and Personnel Management (2 units)
- WED AP 758 School Governance, Finance, and Operations (4 units)
- WED RS 600 Introduction to Research (for EdM) (4 units) or RS 615 Understanding and Applying Educational Research (4 units)
- WED TL 530 School Leadership: English Language Learners (2 units)
Supervisor/Director License
The 28 units above, and:
- WED CT 721 Analysis and Design of Curriculum (4 units)
- WED CT 801 Leadership Practicum & Seminar (300 hours) (4 units)
Special Education Administrator License
The 28 units above, and:
- WED SE 702 Leadership Practicum & Seminar (600 hours) (8 units)
- WED SE 744 School Administration and Special Needs (4 units)
Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent License
The 28 units above, and:
- WED AP 761 Organizational Analysis (4 units)
- WED AP 805 Leadership Practicum & Seminar (600 hours) (8 units)
Principal/Assistant Principal License
The 28 units above, and:
- WED AP 802, 803, or 804 Leadership Practicum & Seminar (600 hours) (8 units)
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.
EdM in Educational Leadership & MSW in Social Work Dual Degree Program
Social Work (minimum of 50 units)
Required Courses:
- SSW CP 759 Intro to SW Clin Prac. (3 units)
- SSW ET 753 Ethics (3 units)
- SSW FE 800 Field Ed Seminar (0 units, 2 semesters)
- SSW FE 801 Field Ed I (3 units)
- SSW FE 802 Field Ed II (3 units)
- SSW FE 803 Field Education III (4 units)
- SSW FE 804 Field Education IV (4 units)
- SSW HB 720 Human Behavior (3 units)
- SSW HB 735 Racial Justice (or HB elective) (3 units)
- SSW HB XXX elective (or HB 735) (3 units)
- SSW MP 759 Communities & Organizations (3 units)
- SSW SR 743 Research I (3 units)
- SSW SR 744 Research II (3 units) **
- SSW WP 700 Soc. Welfare Policy I (3 units)
- SSW WP 701 Soc. Welfare Policy II (3 units)
- SSW WP XXX Welfare Policy elective (3 units)**
- SSW elective (3 units)**
- SSW elective (3 units)**
For Clinical Majors:
- SSW CP 770 Clinical Practice w/ Indiv. (2 units)
- SSW CP 771 Clinical Practice w/ Grps (2 units)
- SSW CP 772 Clinical Practice w/Fam (2 units)
- SSW CP XXX Clinical Prac. elective (3 units)
For Macro Majors:
- SSW MP 773 Human Services Management (3 units)
- SSW MP 781 Community Organizing (3 units)
- SSW MP 783 Planning and Program Development (3 units)
**Courses for which specific Wheelock courses can be substituted.
Educational Leadership
Required Courses (10 units):
- WED AP 753 Educational Policy (4 units)
- WED AP 754 Educational Equity and the Law (2 units)
- WED RS 653 Quantitative Research (4 units)
Electives (14 units):
- WED AP 526 Family & Community Engagement (4 units)
- WED AP 600 Diversity and Justice in Education (4 units)
- WED AP 662 Strategic Planning and Implementation
- WED AP 720 Performance-Based Instructional Leadership
- WED AP 758 School Governance, Finance, and Operations
- WED ED 600 Schooling in the United States (4 units)
- WED SE 706 Introduction of Special Education (4 units)
Electives from SSW or Wheelock (9 units)
Boston University Global Education Leadership Program
The Boston University Global Education Leadership Program (BUGELP) is a leadership preparation program customized for college graduates and working professionals in nations such as China, India, Turkey, South Africa, Kenya, Ecuador, and Colombia who are committed to innovation and change in schools, school districts, government education agencies, and nongovernmental agencies. Students will earn a BU EdM in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies that features courses taught by the faculty of participating universities (first term; no BU units), and by professors at Boston University (in Wheelock, MET, and COM), who will teach mainly on-site at participating universities and at Boston University, and to a limited extent in a hybrid format. The program takes one and a half years to complete and culminates with a four-week summer residency at Boston University, which includes a series of seminars in school leadership organized by Wheelock’s Creative Education Leadership Institute (CELI). The program will help students to achieve:
- Practical knowledge in education leadership, informed by theory and the experience of successful school leaders.
- Advanced skills in building high-performing schools and healthy school cultures.
- Innovative and entrepreneurial thinking in organizational design, curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
- Inclusive and collaborative decisionmaking.
- Inclusive and collaborative organizational governance.
- Understanding and implementation of effective management systems for talent development and fiscal planning.
