Master of Arts in Education Policy

Our Master of Arts in Education Policy at the University of Pittsburgh School of Education focuses on equity-driven education policy analysis and transformation.

As a student, you will explore how the (re)design of educational systems can improve learning opportunities for students of all ages. You will also learn how policy and systems can be used to improve your own organizations.

Program Overview

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Education Policy is a 36-credit degree program that provides students with a foundational grounding in equity-driven education policy analysis. Core content areas include education policy systems and implementation, the social contexts of education, policy analysis methods, disciplinary study, and electives exploring specific policy topics and issues.

Choose a Specialization

To satisfy the elective requirement, students have the option of completing an Area of Concentration (ARCO) as part of the degree. An ARCO is a University of Pittsburgh credential that provides additional specialization within a specific discipline of education policy. The ARCO pathway is 9 credits and does not result in any added cost, time, or credit hours.

• Comparative and International Education ARCO
• Higher Education Policy ARCO

About Pitt Education

Pick Your Destination -- And We'll Help You Get There

Consistently ranked among the top graduate schools of education by  U.S. News & World Report , the Pitt School of Education offers world-class education programs that ignite learning for all. With over 50 graduate and undergraduate degree programs in education, we are focused on advancing education.

Facts and Rankings

We are proud to offer an education that advances equity in education through our emphasis on experiential learning, community-focused projects, and close interactions with faculty.

Faculty and Students

Faculty

• Full-time faculty: 77
• Full-time faculty with doctorates: 100 percent
• Funded grant research: $32 million in total active grants

Students

• Undergraduate: 409
• Graduate: 554
• Total: 963

Geography

• In-State: 68% from Pennsylvania
• Out-of-State: 32% from other U.S. states
• International: 7% of students international
• Countries Represented: 20 countries

Life in Pittsburgh

Culture. Sports. Art. Parks. Shopping. Dining.

Located in Oakland, the University of Pittsburgh campus is a unique area that also manages to harmonize with Pittsburgh and its other distinct surrounding neighborhoods. Pittsburgh is a fluid town, becoming whatever you want it to be. And the rest of the country has begun to catch on: Pittsburgh was recently ranked by CNBC as the “#1 City to Relocate to in America” and the “Most Livable City in America” by Forbes Magazine.

Our Mission-Vision

We are a school whose mission is rooted in equity, justice, and innovation.

We ignite learning. We strive for well-being for all. We teach. We commit to student, family, and community success. We commit to educational equity. We advocate. We work for justice. We cultivate relationships. We forge engaged partnerships. We collaborate. We learn with and from communities. We innovate and agitate. We pursue and produce knowledge. We research. We disrupt and transform inequitable educational structures. We approach learning as intertwined with health, wellness, and human development. We address how national, global, social, and technological change impacts learning. We shape practice and policy. We teach with and for dignity. We think. We dream. We lead with integrity. We are the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh.