Start your journey
Lead systemic change in PK-12 education
Our MA in education policy and leadership investigates how politics, organizational culture, and policy frameworks directly impact educational equity and institutional vitality. Whether you are leading a classroom, a district, or a state-level policy initiative, this program provides the analytical depth to move beyond the status quo.
The UMN advantage
- Strategic policy mastery: Gain professional expertise in school law, finance, and the politics of education, empowering you to navigate complex legislative and regulatory environments with confidence.
- Scholarly mentorship: Learn from world-class faculty who bridge the gap between sophisticated theoretical research and the practical, daily realities of school and district leadership.
- Dual pathways: Select Plan A (Master's Thesis) to build a rigorous foundation for future doctoral research, or Plan B (Professional Project) to apply scholarly inquiry to a specific challenge within your current professional context.
Careers
This degree prepares you to lead at every level of the education system, from the classroom to the capitol. Our graduates are equipped to analyze policy, advocate for reform, and lead high-performing organizations.
- Research fellows and policy analysts: directing data-driven strategy for districts and government agencies
- Teacher leaders and learning specialists: leading instructional improvement and professional development
- Educational consultants: advising institutions on organizational development and school improvement
- District and school administrators: leading systemic change as principals, directors, or district-level executives
How to apply
Application deadlines
Applications due by February 1 for a Fall semester start
- Fall semester start only.
- Applicants may only apply to one OLPD track.
- Applications are not complete until all required materials and fees have been received. If anything is missing, your application may not be considered until the next review date the following year. It is strongly recommended to apply at least two weeks before any submission deadlines.
- Applications are processed by the Graduate School. A decision for admission notice will be emailed to you once your application is carefully reviewed by the department's admission committee and your transcripts and any credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) are authenticated by Graduate School officials.
Degree: Bachelor's degree
GPA: 3.0 undergraduate
GRE: Do not submit GRE scores, as they will not be considered in the review process.
Teaching experience is not required for admission to this program.
TOEFL/IELTS Scores (Not required for U.S. students):
- TOEFL: Internet based = 79 or above (21 writing/19 reading)
- IELTS = 6.5
- Refer to this page for all English language proficiency requirements.
Required Fields
- Personal Information
- Application Information
- Educational Background
- Languages
- Employment/Residence Information
- Applicant Statements #1 & #2
- Recommendations Letters (limit 2)
- Resume or CV
Optional fields: All other fields or application materials are optional but will be taken into consideration if submitted.
Application Fee
U.S. citizen/permanent resident: $75.00; International: $95.00. Click here for more information about application fees.
Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts or academic records should be uploaded directly to the online application. Please do not mail in paper copies of your transcripts. There is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review. The University will request official copies of this material if you are admitted. Click here for more information about transcripts and credentials.
GRE Scores
Do not submit GRE scores, as they will not be considered in the review process.
Applicant Statements
Complete Statements #1 & #2; Statement #3 is optional.
Statement #1: Personal Statement
Please provide a statement—do not exceed two pages—outlining why you are interested in this program and your immediate educational and long-range career objectives in relation to your chosen field. You may wish to include:
- How you expect this program will contribute to your professional development and career goals.
- How you anticipate applying the knowledge and skills you will gain from the program to your current or future working challenges and needs.
- How your professional experience can contribute to the collective learning of your fellow students in the program
Statement #2: Diversity
Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the University of Minnesota’s mission. Please write a statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to your graduate program and to the education of fellow students at the University of Minnesota. You may wish to include examples that address your contribution to the diversity of the student body and illustrate your motivation to succeed by setting high standards for accomplishing intellectual and other goals, overcoming obstacles to achievement, and/or helping others to gain access to the resources necessary for success. [Please do not exceed one page.]
Statement #3: Extenuating Circumstances (optional)
If your grades and/or test scores are not strong, and you would like to provide an explanation, please do so. [Please do not exceed one page.]
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. Acceptable recommendations will come from current or former supervisors, work peers, clients, or professors who can assess your academic and professional capabilities.
When you apply, the online application includes a section for you to list the contact information of the individual recommending you. They will receive an email from the application system with instructions on how to submit their letter. Please ask your recommendation providers to check spam/junk mail folders if they don't receive the message.
Request letters of recommendation early in the application process to allow enough time for your letter writers. Unsubmitted letters of recommendation are one of the most common delays during the application review process.
You may finish and submit your application before the recommenders submit your letters.
Additional Requirements for International Applicants
International students who will have completed 16 semester credits (within the past 24 months) in residence as a full-time student at a recognized institution of higher learning in the United States before entering the University of Minnesota are exempt from the testing requirement but may be asked to take locally administered English tests after arrival on campus. Click here for more information about English language proficiency requirements.
Readmission
If a graduate student in an OLPD program has become inactive they must follow the readmission procedures.
Whether you seek reactivation after accidentally being discontinued this term or want to return after a long absence these are the steps needed to re-apply.
- Complete the proper online readmission application.
If you have been away from the program less than five years use the Express Readmission Application and email it to olpd@umn.edu. All others must submit the Online Application for Readmission
- Once received, the department will forward your application to the appropriate admissions committee. Readmission decisions are normally determined by the program’s admissions committee, not any one individual faculty member.
Readmission is never guaranteed. Decisions for readmission are based on a review of previous progress toward degree completion, the proposed timeline for completion, the availability of faculty resources, and/or any additional application materials they may request from you. Individual programs/tracks reserve the right to readmit students under the current graduate program requirements, rules, and guidelines. They may also request an applicant to provide additional information prior to making a decision.
- Once the committee makes their recommendation, the department’s DGS will sign off on the decision and forward the result to the central Graduate Admissions Office for processing. Once processed, you will be notified of the decision.
Individual department programs and tracks reserve the right to require readmitted students to retake coursework if they deem it appropriate. Readmitted students are also required to abide by current time-to-degree policies as determined by the University, which may differ from the policy in place when they first started the degree program.
Individuals seeking readmission to the program tracks in the former EDPA, WHRE, and WCFE majors can only reapply to the appropriate program track under the Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) major name.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact our graduate admissions staff at olpd@umn.edu.
Tuition and funding
Tuition
Visit the University of Minnesota's One Stop tuition page for information on tuition. This program follows the guidelines listed under the "Graduate and professional" sub-heading. The general graduate tuition rate includes a 6-14 credit band for full-time registration. Each credit above or below the plateau is assessed on a per-credit basis.
Review the Cost of Attendance page as well as information about student fees assessed by the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).
CEHD Fellowships, scholarships, assistantships, and grants for graduate students
As a graduate student in CEHD, you may be eligible for fellowships, grants, and scholarships from the University of Minnesota, from our college, and from your academic department. Get more information on funding opportunities!
University funding opportunities
Refer to the University of Minnesota Graduate School's funding page, specifically the page on fellowships for prospective / incoming students. Questions about University funding opportunities should be directed to the Graduate School —612.625.7579, or gsfellow@umn.edu
CEHD funding opportunities
Refer to CEHD funding opportunities. Questions about college and department-level funding for this program should be directed to OLPD graduate admissions staff at olpd@umn.edu.
Financial aid
Financial aid for your graduate program works a little differently than financial aid at the undergraduate level. It’s important to know the differences and explore your options. Check out this One Stop link for more information on eligibility, required steps, and timelines.
Request information
If you simply have a question and would like someone to reach back out with information, please complete our request information form. Your information will not be shared outside our department.
Coursework
This program offers two curriculum options: Plan A includes 34 credits, with a master's thesis; Plan B includes 30 credits without a thesis, but with additional coursework. For a full list of requirements, visit the University of Minnesota program catalog and select "Education Policy and Leadership" under "Requirements" > "Program Sub-Plan Requirements."
To match your specific goals, the program offers two tailored tracks: Plan A is designed for those seeking a foundation in original inquiry and includes a 10-credit thesis, while Plan B is designed for professionals focusing on advanced coursework and a culminating colloquium paper / project.
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Choose Plan A if: You are interested in contributing to the scholarly literature of education policy and seek a rigorous foundation for future doctoral-level research.
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Choose Plan B if: You want to maximize your leadership toolkit by taking more elective credits in specialized areas and completing a high-impact project focused on practical school or district challenges.
With our Plan A option, we offer a unique pathway for students who want a professional degree but want to keep the door open for a PhD—a flexibility many programs lack.
Program core (6 credits minimum)
Take a minimum or 6 credits from the following:
- OLPD 5001—Formal Organizations in Education (3 cr) or OLPD 5011—Leading Organizational Change: Theory and Practice (3 cr) or OLPD 5607—Organization Development (3 cr) [choose 5001 if offered]
- OLPD 5041—Sociology of Education (3 cr)
- OLPD 5044—Introduction to Economics of Education (3 cr)
- OLPD 5048—Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Leadership (3 cr)
- OLPD 5344—School Law (3 cr)
- OLPD 5364—Context and Practice of Educational Leadership (3 cr)
- OLPD 8302—Educational Policy Perspectives (3 cr)
Research design and methods (6 credits)
Select courses from the following in consultation with your advisor.
- OLPD 5056—Case Studies for Policy Research (3 cr)
- OLPD 5061—Ethnographic Research Methods (3 cr)
- OLPD 5501—Principles and Methods of Evaluation (3 cr)
- OLPD 8812—Quantitative Research in Education (3 cr)
- CI 5116—Action Research Methods to Improve College Teaching and Learning (3 cr)
- CI 8148—Conducting Qualitative Studies in Educational Contexts (3 cr)
- EPSY 5244—Survey Design, Sampling, and Implementation (3 cr)
- EPSY 5247—Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology (3 cr)
- EPSY 5261—Introductory Statistical Methods (3 cr)
- EPSY 5262—Intermediate Statistical Methods (3 cr)
- EPSY 8261—Statistical Methods in Education I (3 cr)
Related fields (6 credits)
The master’s degree requires 6 semester credits taken outside the program track that directly relate to the student’s area of study. Courses totaling 6 or more credits should be selected in consultation with the advisor and should constitute a solid coursework foundation for the student’s thesis. These courses may include additional methods courses taught outside the department.
Electives (2-8 credits)
Selected in consultation with advisor to meet 30-36 total credit requirement for this program.
Thesis credits (10 credits)
Take 10 or more credits of the following:
- OLPD 8777—Thesis Credits: Master's (10 cr)
With our Plan A option, we offer a unique pathway for students who want a professional degree but want to keep the door open for a PhD—a flexibility many programs lack.
Program core (6 credits minimum)
Take a minimum or 6 credits from the following:
- OLPD 5001—Formal Organizations in Education (3 cr) or OLPD 5011—Leading Organizational Change: Theory and Practice (3 cr) or OLPD 5607—Organization Development (3 cr) [choose 5001 if offered]
- OLPD 5041—Sociology of Education (3 cr)
- OLPD 5044—Introduction to Economics of Education (3 cr)
- OLPD 5048—Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Leadership (3 cr)
- OLPD 5344—School Law (3 cr)
- OLPD 5364—Context and Practice of Educational Leadership (3 cr)
- OLPD 8302—Educational Policy Perspectives (3 cr)
Research design and methods (6 credits)
Select courses from the following in consultation with your advisor.
- OLPD 5056—Case Studies for Policy Research (3 cr)
- OLPD 5061—Ethnographic Research Methods (3 cr)
- OLPD 5501—Principles and Methods of Evaluation (3 cr)
- OLPD 8812—Quantitative Research in Education (3 cr)
- CI 5116—Action Research Methods to Improve College Teaching and Learning (3 cr)
- CI 8148—Conducting Qualitative Studies in Educational Contexts (3 cr)
- EPSY 5244—Survey Design, Sampling, and Implementation (3 cr)
- EPSY 5247—Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology (3 cr)
- EPSY 5261—Introductory Statistical Methods (3 cr)
- EPSY 5262—Intermediate Statistical Methods (3 cr)
- EPSY 8261—Statistical Methods in Education I (3 cr)
Related fields (6 credits)
The master’s degree requires 6 semester credits taken outside the program track that directly relate to the student’s area of study. Courses totaling 6 or more credits should be selected in consultation with the advisor and should constitute a solid coursework foundation for the student’s thesis. These courses may include additional methods courses taught outside the department.
Electives (2-8 credits)
Selected in consultation with advisor to meet 30-36 total credit requirement for this program.
Colloquium paper (3-6 credits)
Students prepare a paper on an issue of relevance in school administration or revise and expand three course papers. Total of 120 hours of work required. Students in the two-year program must take 3 or more credits of OLPD 5095. Students in the one-year program must take a total of 6 cr of OLPD 5087 or OLPD 5095 over 3 semesters with advisor approval (three of those credits will count towards the Electives requirement).
- OLPD 5087—MA Research Seminar (3 cr) or OLPD 5095—Problems: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (3 cr)
Contact
We’re here to help. Simply complete this form and a member of our department will be in touch. Your information will not be shared outside of our department.