The emphasis of the program is on preparing leaders who have the vision, knowledge, skills and integrity necessary to advance local, state, national and international education policy.  Students are introduced to the lessons of the past, guided through the complexities of the present, and encouraged to identify the potential of the future. 
 
 

Unique features of the program include: 

• The program is nationally recognized and has been ranked among the top 20 Education Policy programs in the US. It is part of the GW Graduate School of Education and Human Development which has been ranked among the top 25 schools of education in the US. 
• The faculty have extensive practical experience in major education policy arenas. 
• Over 50% of the program's students have received competitive fellowships or graduate assistantships in recent years. 
• The program's classes are small and conducted seminar style with considerable discussion. 
• The program is designed to allow students to work while pursuing their degree. 

• The social, political, and economic contexts that influence education policy and which, in turn, are influenced by the nature and quality of a nation's educational system; 
• All phases of the policy cycle, including problem identification, policy development, policy analysis, political decision making, policy implementation, and policy evaluation; 
• Applied analysis of contemporary education policies and policy proposals; 
• Quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation methods which are important tools for discovering what works, what doesn't, and why; and 
• A substantive area of education or training chosen by each student. 

The diverse students come from across the country and around the globe, bringing a wide range of professional experience, skills, and contacts.  Most students work while they study, and many have secured entry-level professional jobs major organizations involved in education policy, including the U.S. Department of Education, The College Board, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education, American Institutes for Research, The Urban Institute, the Center on Education Policy, The U.S. Government Accountability Office, National Alliance of Business, the Hamilton Fish National Institute on School and Community Violence, as well as several offices of U.S. Senators and House Representatives.  Those not working full-time usually elect to take an internship in an organization engaged in education policy work.

The classes are scheduled in the late afternoons and evenings, on Monday through Thursday, to accommodate students who are working or engaged in internships.  Each course meets just once a week for two hours.  Master's level classes average about 10 -20 students.  Doctoral level classes average 8-12.  The classes focus on both understanding essential knowledge and developing policy skills.  There is considerable discussion in the classes. 

Recent graduates have accepted positions at the American Institutes for Research, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Labor, Congressional Research Services, National Governors Association, Center on Education Policy, Council of Great City Schools, Council of Chief State School Officers, National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, Maryland Department of Education, New York City Department of Education, The World Bank, The U.S. Congress, The American Council on Education, The Aspen Institute, Booz-Allen & Hamilton, the Brazilian Ministry of Education, Northern Illinois University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.  They are involved in developing, analyzing, implementing, and evaluating new education policies. 

For More Information

Unique Features of the Program 

Faculty 

Recent Guest Speakers 

Masters Program 

Doctoral Program 

Financial Aid 

Institute for Education Policy Studies (IEPS) 

Education Policy Resources 

Tentative Course Schedules 

Faculty Position Announcements

After reviewing these Web pages, if you have questions regarding this program, please contact the program coordinator:

Dr. Yas Nakib
Coordinator,
Education Policy Program
Graduate School of Education and Human Development
The George Washington University
2134 G Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20052
e-mail: nakib@gwu.edu
PH: (202) 994-8816

NOTE: The GW Graduate Bulletin provides the offical statement of University and School policies.  Considerable effort has been devoted to assuring the accuracy of this Web site, but if there are any dispartities with the Bulletin, it prevails. 

                                           [Last updated July 20, 2007]

Education Policy Program Graduate School of Education and Human Development The George Washington University 2134 G Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20052

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