The area of Policy Studies deals primarily with formal- or official-level policy, such as laws, regulations, and plans developed by governments, organizations, and other agencies. Distinct from programs at other institutions, the focus of the Policy Studies in Education Master's program of study also includes the role of an educated citizenry in advocating for and shaping the policy process. Thus, the focus in this program of study is on the complex nature of the policy process, including strategies for analyzing the potential impact of education policy; identifying assumptions and cost-benefit implications of various policies; key factors and politics in the development of education policy; effective implementation and evaluation of education policy; implications for the administrator's role deriving from the increasing demand for policy leadership; the relationship of policy to the political process; the role of citizens' advocacy and citizens' participation in policy formation; and strategies to enhance reform and empowerment.
The program of study is designed to prepare scholars and practitioners in the area of policy studies in the field of Education, particularly in regard to knowledge of how to analyze, develop, implement, or evaluate policies and the ability to use this knowledge for research or practical purposes.
Core Competencies
The core competencies for the Master of Education program of study in Policy Studies in Education are (1) an ability to apply knowledge about political and organizational processes to gain an understanding of policy outcomes; (2) an understanding of the legal context of education policy; (3) a thorough grounding in research and evaluation methods that can be applied to policy analysis; (4) an ability to make judgements about the optimal uses of resources; and (5) an understanding of how management and administration affect policy.
DESIRED MASTER OF EDUCATION STUDENT CHARACTERISTICS
Students interested in the Master's program of study in Policy Studies
in Education are: (a) those wishing to specialize in the emerging discipline
of policy analysis or policy studies in order to proceed into academic
or field-based careers; and (b) those interested in specific organizational
or other specialized settings who would want to develop a high level of
competency in the area of policy studies. Admissions criteria include
a strong interest in educational policy issues at the national, state,
and regional levels; strong undergraduate preparation; and experience
in education or public sector agencies.
ASSOCIATED FACULTY
Coordinator: Kathryn A. McDermott (Associate Professor)
Email: mcdermott@educ.umass.edu
Joseph B. Berger (Associate
Professor), Andrew Effrat (Professor), Jeffrey W. Eiseman (Associate Professor), David F. Schuman (Professor).