MA in Educational Foundations, Policy & Practice

Two MA concentrations are designed to prepare graduates for diverse roles as educators, advocates, or policy analysts in schools, government agencies, think tanks, policy organizations, community organizations, or institutions of higher education: Community-Based Change and Evaluation and Policy Analysis.

Community-Based Change

You will develop expertise in policy analysis, research methods, and program evaluation, as well as specific areas of inquiry such as the process of school reform and the development of partnerships between community members and external participants. This program is specifically geared toward educators, parents, and other community members who wish to gain skills and knowledge that will assist them in becoming powerful advocates for high-quality, equitable education.

Evaluation and Policy Analysis

In addition to policy analysis, research methods, and program evaluation, you will gain specific inquiry into the process of school reform and the development of more equitable education policies. The program is designed to prepare evaluators, and policy analysts for careers in academic institutions and agencies at the state and federal levels. Graduates will be able to analyze, recommend, and evaluate public policies effectively.

Program Requirements

Students must successfully complete 30 credit hours of approved coursework while maintaining at least a B (3.0) average in all work attempted while enrolled. 

Scholarships

Applicants to our Master’s programs will be considered automatically for a handful of scholarships at the time of admission. Applicants do not need to do anything to be considered apart from completing the application for admission by the posted application deadline. Automatic-consideration scholarships for MA students are only available for applicants to the Fall or Summer terms. All scholarships are one-time awards and will be applied across the Fall and Spring semesters. Automatic-consideration scholarships for the Educational Foundations, Policy and Practice program include A Queer Endeavor Kelley Therese Wylder Scholarship Fund ($1,000), Kelley Family Endowed Teacher Opportunity Scholarship Fund ($1,000), and Edythe V. Billingslea Memorial Scholarship Fund ($3,000).

Admissions Requirements

• A Personal Statement
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• Unofficial Transcripts (official transcripts required after admission)
• If international, TOEFL scores
• Application Fee ($60 domestic application/$80 international) along with the application

Admission to all our graduate programs is competitive and based on multiple criteria, including undergraduate academic record, letters of recommendation, personal statement, evidence of special accomplishments, and relevant past experience. Criteria are considered in the aggregate. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. For more information, contact edadvise@colorado.edu.

Deadlines

• Fall & Summer Application Deadline: January 15, international
• Fall & Summer Application Deadline: February 1, domestic
• Spring Application Deadline: October 1, international and domestic 

  For more information about courses and program requirements, visit the CU Boulder Course Catalog.