Education and Leadership Foundation Programs: Shaping a More Equitable Future
The Educational Foundations, Leadership and Policy (EDFLP) M.Ed. program offers a comprehensive exploration of education within society, delving into critical questions that are essential for creating equitable learning opportunities and outcomes for all students. This program is designed for individuals passionate about making a difference in education, from early childhood through K-12 and transitions to post-secondary education, and aims to equip them with the knowledge and skills to address disparities based on various social factors.
Program Overview
Rooted in an understanding of social and cultural contexts, education policies, organizational dynamics, and leadership principles, the EDFLP program emphasizes the imperative of addressing disparities based on race, nationality, socioeconomic status, gender, language, ability, and other social factors. Students learn about educational issues spanning from early childhood to post-secondary levels and beyond.
The program can be completed in one to two years, attending full- or part-time, and provides an opportunity to prepare for future engagement in academia, formal school settings, informal learning spaces, community educational organizations, or government spaces. Through a carefully designed curriculum, students can explore and shape their understanding of education, ultimately empowering them to become effective leaders and advocates for equity.
Coursework and Specializations
The master’s degree program requires a minimum of 45 credits that follows a general course of study. Working with an advisor, students forge a learning path that maximizes the pursuit of individual passions and professional goals. The coursework allows students to explore one or multiple pathways in Social and Cultural Foundations, Educational Policy, Organization and Leadership, Leadership in Higher Education, and Early Childhood Policy.
The program's structure is built around four key components:
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- Core Coursework (15 credits minimum)
- Supporting Coursework (12 credits minimum)
- Methods & Data Literacy (6 credits minimum)
- Professional Seminar (4 credits maximum)
- Capstone Project (8-9 credits)
Core Coursework
Core Coursework explores fundamental questions that have faced educational leaders in the past and most likely will continue to face them in the future. Foundational studies in the history, philosophy, sociology, and politics of education provide the basis for discussion and writing about these fundamental questions. Students will select a primary cognate: either Social & Cultural Foundations OR Educational Policy, Organization and Leadership.
If the primary cognate is SCF, the secondary cognate will be EdPol. If the primary cognate is EdPol, the secondary cognate will be SCF. Students choose three core courses in their primary cognate and two core courses in their secondary cognate.
Social & Cultural Foundations:
- EDLPS 520: Education as a Moral Endeavor
- EDLPS 521: Philosophy of Education
- EDLPS 530: History of Education
- EDLPS 540: Sociology of Education
- EDLPS 561: Education Policies and Leadership in Political Context
Educational Policy, Organizations, and Leadership:
- EDLPS 510: School Finance
- EDLPS 550: Dynamics of Educational Organizations
- EDLPS 560: Educational Policy Studies & Practice
- EDLPS 565: Race, Equity, and Leading Educational Change
- EDLPS 575: Education Policy Implementation
- EDLPS 590: Student Populations and Experiences in Higher Education
Supporting Coursework
Supporting Coursework deepens the student's chosen area of interest and allows further study of specific disciplines, contexts, or issues. This selection typically includes additional EDFLP courses from the Core Coursework options listed above. This selection may also include up to two courses from outside EDFLP and/or out of the College of Education that apply to the student's area of interest.
Within EDFLP, courses that are regularly offered and that can fulfill the Supporting Coursework requirement include (but are not limited to):
- EDLPS 510: School Finance
- EDLPS 511 School-Community Relations
- EDLPS 520: Education as a Moral Endeavor
- EDLPS 521: Philosophy of Education
- EDLPS 524: Seminar in Philosophy of Education
- EDLPS 530: History of Education
- EDLPS 535: Historical Inquiry in Education Research
- EDLPS 538: Education for Liberation
- EDLPS 539: History of Urban Education
- EDLPS 540: Sociology of Education
- EDLPS 550: Dynamics of Educational Organizations
- EDLPS 551: Educational Theory and Organizational Change
- EDLPS 560: Educational Policy Studies & Practice
- EDLPS 561: Education Policies and Leadership in Political Context
- EDLPS 564: Seminar in Economics of Education
- EDLPS 565: Race, Equity, and Leading Educational Change
- EDLPS 575: Education Policy Implementation
- EDLPS 590: Student Populations and Experiences in Higher Education
Methods & Data Literacy
Methods & Data Literacy courses focus on research methodologies (quantitative, qualitative, and/or conceptual), the consumption of data, and/or the use of data and application of research findings to decision-making.
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- EDPSY 490: Basic Educational Statistics
- EDLPS 524: Seminar in Philosophy of Education
- EDLPS 535: Historical Inquiry in Education Research
- EDLPS 558: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in Education
- EDLPS 568 Policy Evaluation in Education
- EDLPS 574: Mixed Methods in Educational Research
- EDLPS 579 Conducting a Critical Literature Review
- EDLPS 593: Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education
- EDLPS 596: Secondary Data Analysis
Professional Seminar
The EDFLP MEd Professional Seminar (EDLPS 579) is a 1st year cohort experience that offers a mix of general professional development, scholarly skills training, and student community-building.
- Fall quarter of the 1st year (2 credits)
- Winter quarter of the 1st year (1 credit)
- Spring quarter of the 1st year (1 credit)
Capstone Project
Every EDFLP MEd student must complete a Capstone Project prior to graduation.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission to the EDFLP M.Ed. program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (degree can be in-progress when applying but must be completed before program starts)
- Unofficial transcript(s) with minimum 3.0 GPA
The UW Graduate School requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0, or 3.0 for your most recent 90 graded quarter credits (60 semester credits), however this is just one part of the application. The programs review all applications holistically, so applicants are encouraged to still apply. It is not necessary to take classes to increase GPA. Instead, focus should be on a goal statement which discusses your interests and how the program will meet your professional or individual goals and strong letters of recommendation. In addition to educational degrees and professional experience, applicants should include a listing of all relevant awards, publications, presentations or other achievements that will help evaluate the application.
Required Application Materials
Statement of Purpose: A two-page, double-spaced statement addressing academic interests, career goals, relevant experiences, future plans, and how the desired specific program meets your needs. Include personal experiences that have prepared you for the challenge of graduate school. Indicate which EDFLP specialization(s) you are currently interested in pursuing. These specializations include:
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- Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership (EdPOL)
- Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership in Early Childhood (EdPOL - EC)
- Leadership in Higher Education (LHE)
- Social and Cultural Foundations (SCF)
Writing Sample: A sample of scholarly writing (e.g., course papers, articles, essays) that demonstrates how well you can analyze or synthesize and critically reflect on information. The writing sample must have been written by you alone.
Financial Aid and Fellowships
Federal financial aid is available for students. The ECP Fellowship supports newly enrolled students in the Master's in Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Policy - Specialization in Early Childhood Policy.
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