MPP, Education Policy

Effective Public Policies That Advance the Public Good
Schar School Professor Anne Holton addresses students.

As a student in the education policy concentration in the master of public policy program, you will gain the knowledge, skills, and connections you need to improve educational opportunities and outcomes through federal, state, and local policy.

This program offers a grounding in policymaking. It examines pressing challenges facing our education system and prepares students to effectively engage with policymakers and stakeholders to help shape and influence education policy.

Located in Arlington, Virginia, in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, you'll learn from professors with relevant professional experience in the heart of where policy is made.

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Van Metre Hall at night

Education Policy at George Mason

Whether interested in pursuing a career in government, the education sector, think tanks, or nonprofit organizations, this program is meant to set students on the path to impacting education policy. Students who complete this degree will learn to:

  • Examine, discuss, and address education policy challenges confronting policymakers today
  • Navigate the public education policy process in federal, state, and local settings
  • Identify and apply relevant research to inform and impact education policy
  • Facilitate collaboration across sectors in improving public education outcomes
  • Engage with policymakers and stakeholders to help shape and influence education policy

Classes are held in the evenings at Mason Square in Arlington.

Learn more about education policy at George Mason
EdPolicyForward: The Center for Education Policy @George Mason University

Career Outcomes

Many recent graduates from the MPP program hold positions related to education policy, including:

  • Associate Director, Publications Operations, The College Board
  • D.C. Education Associate, The Economic Club of Washington
  • Education Pioneers Fellow, D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)
  • Executive Director of Legislative Affairs, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
  • Regional Associate, No Kid Hungry VA / Share Our Strength
  • Education Analyst, RTI
The median salary of 2020-21 MPP program graduates surveyed after graduation was $97,000.

Courses in Education Policy

PUBP 768 – Education and Public Policy
POGO 750 – Special Topics in Education Policy (Examples include: K-12 Policy Challenges and Higher Education Policy)
EDPO 600 – History of Education Reform
EDPO 601 – P12 Policy Challenges
EDPO 602 – Higher Education Policy
EDPO 603 – Conflict and Consensus: Education, Interest Groups and Advocacy
EDPO 604 – Education Policy Implementation
EDPO 871 – Advanced Policy Issues in Education
EDPO 880 – Economics of Education
EDUC 876 – Teacher Development and Education Policy
EDUC 872 – Social Science Research and Education Policy