Education & Social Policy (M.S.E.) Curriculum & Admission

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Coursework

The academic coursework is designed to develop knowledge on educational policy and social issues. This knowledge will allow students to think deeply about the nature of educational problems and reform issues. The coursework portion of the degree is 27 credits (9 three-credit classes).

Project/Thesis

Upon completion of 27 graduate credit hours, the student will complete a capstone project under the guidance of their academic advisor. This project typically takes the form of a website portfolio in which the student displays the culmination of their learning throughout the coursework.

Program Curriculum

Course Requirements

A sample program plan is provided below (Electives should be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor).


EPSY 715	Understanding Research in Education	3
ELPS 757	Education in American Society	3
	Or an ELPS History Class
ELPS 830	Foundations of Multicultural Education	3
or ELPS 782	Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education	3
or C&T 807	Multicultural Education	3
or ELPS 960	Leading Diverse Communities	3
	ELPS Class on Education Policy/Social Science Research	3
	ELPS or Non-ELPS Law or Policy Class	3
	ELPS Elective	3
	Non-ELPS Elective	3
	Flexible Elective 1	3
	Flexible Elective 2	3

	PROJECT - Additional Requirements
ELPS 898	Master's Project	3
	Project Defense
Total credit hours		30

Capstone Project: Students will select one of two options for a capstone project:

1. Policy report: The policy report option gives students an artifact they can use on the job market. The report will analyze a contemporary educational policy issue and may include policy origin, intended objectives, surrounding debates, potential outcomes, unintended consequences, and other policy features.

2. Online portfolio: The online portfolio option allows students to create a portfolio of their learnings in the master’s program. The online portfolio may include a page for curriculum vitae, research, teaching and learning, service, and other educational projects.

Graduate Admission

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale from a regionally accredited institution or a foreign university with substantially equivalent bachelor’s degree requirements. International applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the application process well in advance of the application deadlines in order to ensure adequate time for processing of visa-related paperwork. Meeting minimum admission standards does not guarantee admission to the program.

Spring Application Deadline

Oct. 1, 2024

priority deadline

Nov. 1, 2024

final deadline

Summer Application Deadline

Feb. 3, 2025

priority deadline

Mar. 3, 2025

final deadline

Fall Application Deadline

Mar. 3, 2025

priority deadline

May 1, 2025

final deadline

Application Checklist

M.S.E. in Education & Social Policy

Applicants are required to submit the following materials and meet the following requirements before the application deadline:

Admission & Curriculum Resources

The online application is designed to give applicants the ability to submit all supporting documents in one form. We invite you to explore our graduate degree information, review our student resources, and learn more on our knowledgeable faculty and the vibrant community of Lawrence, Kansas.

Apply Online request info

Related Info:

Program Faculty

Lena Batt

Assistant Professor

Jennifer Bessolo

Professor of the Practice, Masters of Educational Administration Program Coordinator, Educational Doctorate Program Coordinator for K-12 Administration