collageMost people seek jobs in education policy, because it leads to higher paying jobs that positively impact the education system. With a master’s degree and the right experience, graduates can move into positions that analyze and adjust local, state and even federal education policies, according to PayScale. There are many employment opportunities available, but here are four typical jobs in education policy.
Data Analyst
Education policy data analysts support school leadership, school districts or state agencies by achieving common educational goals. They bring this about through monitoring data collection activities and driving the technical implementation of new data collection systems. They create reports to guide policies, programs and pedagogical practices. They also respond to customized requests from teachers and parents for data regarding specific students. Data analysts provide consultative support and on-site training to peers regarding the effective application of education data. These educational professionals will leverage their technical prowess, analytical skills and business acumen to enrich education data systems to become more intuitive, flexible and beneficial.
Education Improvement Specialist
Education improvement specialists support school administrators and leadership teams by effectively implementing research-based school improvement models and programs. For instance, they help school teachers and administrators develop school curriculum, instruction methods and assessment paradigms in order to exceed proficiency standards, professionally develop staff and meet applicable state standards and the Common Core State Standards. Their professional development support is achieved through providing individual coaching, technical assistance and group trainings. They also identify and coordinate with external resources, such as consulting experts and Department of Education officials, to support the successful implementation of school improvement programs.
Director of Education Policy
A director of education policy works for state agencies, higher learning institutions and even for private school boards. They often work under the direction of a board of education and an executive director. Their basic duty is to develop and implement the policy and legislative agenda of the organization. The incumbent plays a key role in interpreting and executing current academic requirements. They cultivate key partnerships with stakeholders in varying organizations to advance agendas and meet the needs of school students and their families. A director of education policy will have knowledge of K-12 policies, the legislative process the state’s basic education statutes. In order to resolve problems, they must understand, interpret and apply complex statutes and policies.
University Public Affairs
Many universities offer public cable TV service programming that is designed to promote the organization while discussing relevant educational issues. Starting out after graduation, a public affairs coordinator will be responsible for marketing and administering the university’s educational access channels. They may work with internal channels that are broadcast in university offices, buildings and residence halls, but also external channels that are locally broadcast. Public affairs coordinators will contribute content, produce programs and assist with videography. Many of the guests on these programs are education policy experts who discuss relevant and pressing academic issues. With the right education and experience, a public affairs coordinator can easily transition into a public policy expert.
Why is education policy important?
Do you wish you could combine your college courses in education, economics, and government into one unified, intensive program of study? Do you currently work in education, and has the experience inspired you to pursue big picture, systemic changes? Or do you work in a different field, but through some connection to the education world — your children’s schooling experience, the stories your teacher friends tell — you find yourself intrigued by the challenges of delivering quality education? Whatever drives you, if you’re a problem solver who believes that the way to a better future requires a robust, ever-improving education system, a master’s in education policy program may be right for you.
Top ten reasons to get a master’s in education policy
1. A master’s in education policy is a dynamic degree, with an array of electives. Education policy programs encompass a range of courses in such diverse topics as organizational leadership, economics, analytical research, child development, and more. You won’t just have your pick of intriguing electives — most curricula actually require you to follow an exciting trajectory of varied courses. A commitment to a master’s in education policy program is a commitment to a stimulating intellectual experience.
2. You’ll join a community of big-picture thinkers. Education policy degree programs are searching for the next generation of American innovators. American University says its program is best suited to “those with a fervent desire to change the course of American education.” New York University — Steinhardt identifies “educational inequity” as a “worldwide concern” and seeks to cultivate a class of professionals armed with the tools to remedy these issues on a global scale. From compelling professors to exciting field placements to diverse colleagues, each new connection you make in your master’s in education policy program will fuel you with more and more inspiration.
3. Anyone can apply, regardless of what you earned your bachelor’s degree in. Institutions like the University of Pennsylvania list prerequisites for their master’s in education policy program as “none”! Students from all walks of life can vie for a position; if you can write an effective statement of purpose that asserts who you are, what feeds your passion, and why you are pursuing education policy, you’ve got a chance of getting in. And if you’ve already determined that graduate school is the right move for you, that statement of purpose should easily flow out of you. Most programs also require that you take the GRE, but no specialized subject tests are required.
4. You can complete your degree in as little as one year. Fly straight through to graduation. Graduate school can demand a significant commitment in both time and money, which many understandably find daunting. Fortunately, most master’s in education policy programs are condensed experiences, typically requiring 30 academic credits. This means that most graduate students in these programs can earn their degree in as little as one year. This fast-track speed makes perfect sense for movers and shakers ready to identify problems and solve them.
5. The best master’s programs in education policy are prestigious beyond your wildest dreams. The nation’s top master’s in education policy programs just happen to be at many of its top universities. It might just be worth your while to spend a year or so on one of these iconic campuses, where you’ll have access to near-limitless academic resources and you’ll be face-to-face with top intellects, advocates, and activists in your field. It could be worth it for the networking opportunities alone. Take a chance, aim for the pantheon. The schools listed among U.S. News & World Report’s top eight education policy programs include:
- Stanford University
- Harvard University
- Vanderbilt University
- Columbia University
- University of Pennsylvania
6. You can earn your degree online. Maybe you’re not in a position to relocate. You’ve got a family with deep roots, or a great job you don’t want to leave, or a great apartment you’re afraid you’ll lose. In that case, you’ll want to pursue graduate study from the comfort of your current location. Fortunately, there are many exciting master’s in education policy programs available right on your desktop. The online programs below are just a few of your options. Many dynamic universities are harnessing technology to bring quality education online. The best online master’s programs in education policy include:
7. Your career won’t be limited to one sector of education. A master’s in education policy will likely expose you to a wider range of issues and topics than you have likely previously encountered. The Teachers College at Columbia University points out on its website that its education policy program covers “early childhood education, K-12 education, higher education,” and “law and education.” Most people don’t engage so many different levels of education in their professional lives; public-school teachers, for example, typically spend their entire careers teaching at the elementary, middle, or high-school levels. A master’s in education policy will open new areas to you.
8. You’ll easily find job openings as policymakers, analysts, and activists. Master’s in education policy programs position students to enter a broad range of professions. Harvard University notes that its graduates “work for state and federal departments of education, they launch and lead nonprofit organizations and school-community partnerships, they conduct research and data analysis for policy think tanks, and they lead progressive schools.” Whether your graduate experience inspires you to investigate research questions and analyzing policies, to carry your momentum into school hallways, or to infiltrate the “room where it happens“on the community, state, or federal level, your master’s degree in education policy will ensure you are ready.
9. An education policy degree is an investment in your career. If you’re considering a career in education policy, you’ve clearly got big plans and big dreams. A master’s degree can elevate your pedigree when making a career change and applying for new jobs, commanding the attention of potential connections and employers. Plus, in many cases, a master’s degree can significantly increase your potential salary (especially when it comes to working in public education; for example, see the New York City Department of Education pay scale. It’s not just about the piece of paper — it’s about the possibilities that open up when you invest in earning that diploma.
10. More importantly, it’s also an investment in yourself. Even if you are unsure of the intended outcome of attending a master’s program in education policy, the experience can only help to nurture you as a thinker, innovator, human, and citizen of American society. We could all benefit from studying the U.S. education system more closely — but you are particularly suited to this experience because you feel called to join the ranks of educational movers, shakers, and policymakers. Whether by finding the right campus program or going the online route, if you have the resources to invest in a master’s degree, why not give yourself the gift of graduate study?
A master’s in education policy will prepare you to make big changes in your life and in the lives of others. And you can complete the degree in a year, meaning you can fast track your new career. Are you ready to join the ranks of the wonks? A master’s degree in education policy can be your ticket in.
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