The MA program in Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy (ELPA) prepares students who want to work toward social and education equity through leadership, politics/policy, and advocacy positions in and around schools. Graduates will work in child and community advocacy organizations, policy and research centers, private, charter, and independent schools, and international/non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The curriculum offers students considerable flexibility in creating a program of study that will best serve each student’s purposes and goals. Students can pursue multiple paths toward analyzing and critically assessing issues of leadership and policy at the federal, state, and local level, and use multiple approaches to inquiry and research. You can choose from a wide array of options, including economic analysis, policy analysis, demographic studies, action research, survey design, ethnographic and case study inquiry to name a few.

This program of study is unique in that it brings together faculty in educational leadership, higher education, and educational technology to better serve students who are interested in policy and advocacy at all levels of education. This interdisciplinary approach provides students with extraordinary opportunities to learn how leaders and education advocates can use media and technology, for example, to capture critical issues in schools and communities and communicate these issues through video, documentaries, and case study or ethnographic methods.

[Please note that this program does not lead to certification as a school building leader (assistant principal or principal). If you are interested in obtaining such certification, please read more about our MA program in Educational Leadership: School Building Leader.]

Student Body

This program is well-suited for individuals who have a sound background in education as well as for those who have little formal experience, but who want to study and work at the nexus of leadership, politics, and advocacy within the current socio-cultural, political, and economic context of education. Strong candidates for this program are often interested in building community capacity in and around schools and universities by creating collaborative networks and enhancing communication between, educational systems, human service providers, and the broader public they serve. With opportunities for studying issues of politics and policy in education, this program will also appeal to individuals who will, ultimately, pursue doctoral study in education leadership, policy studies, education law, or other related fields of advanced study.

The Curriculum

The program of study consists of 36 credits of coursework and continuous field-based experience. It is designed to accommodate both full-time or part-time study; coursework starts each September (summer course work is also available and encouraged) and full-time students can complete the program in just three semesters). Scholarships are available for full-time students.

Each course examines multiple theoretical perspectives, themes of equity and social justice, a focus on the needs and experiences of impoverished children and youth, and implications for leadership within and outside of educational settings. Eighteen of the 36 credits included in the program represent required courses focusing on content requirements.

Core courses (18 points):
• E95.2205: Advocacy and Education
• E65.2160: Field study: Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy
• E95.2053: Organizational Theory I
• E65.2341: Politics of Education
• E10.2130: Participatory Action Research
• E65.2367: Demographic Analysis and Long-Range Planning

Internship (3 points):
All students participate in an internship in community-based advocacy organizations, schools, or research centers. Placements take into consideration each student’s interests. Additional field-based opportunities are also embedded in course work throughout the program.

Elective course options (15 points):
The remaining 15 credits represent electives. Based on the recommendations of faculty advisors, students pursue additional study relevant to one of the three major foci of the program: leadership, politics or advocacy. Possible course work might include:

Leadership:

• Advocacy for Public and Nonprofit Organizations, offered by NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
• Educational Reform and Leadership in the New Economy
• Organizational Theory II
• School Finance, Budget and Facilities
• Fund-Raising for Public and Nonprofit Organizations, offered by NYU’s Rbert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service

Politics:

• Educational Policy Analysis
• Priniciples of Empirical Analysis
• Consensus Building and Public Participation in Policy and Planning
• Politics of Multicultural School Communities

Advocacy:

• Advocacy for Public and Nonprofit Organizations, offered by NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
• Politics of Multicultural School Communities
• Fund-Raising for Public and Nonprofit Organizations, offered by NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
• Digital Video Ethnography
• Grant Writing

Admissions Requirements:

Applicants must follow the School-wide application requirements for NYU Steinhardt master's degree programs. In doing so, applicants should:

• Specify professional experiences and service, including volunteer work with non-profit organizations, service learning projects, community organizing activities, or any other leadership activities in schools, the community, and/or other relevant or related experiences on their resume;

• Address an interest in and potential for educational leadership and advocacy related work in their statement of purpose.

• Provide two letters of recommendation, written by people who have been responsible for evaluating academic or professional work such as professors and workplace supervisors.
  

Please note: For Fall 2008 admission only, applications must be submitted using the paper-based application process. The in-office deadline for all materials has been extended to MAY 15, 2008.

For further information:

Professor Colleen Larson
Director, Educational Leadership Programs
Department of Administration, Leadership, and Technology
239 Greene Street, Suite 300
New York, NY 10003
colleen.larson@nyu.edu
212 998 5520

OR

New York University
The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
The Office of Graduate Admissions
Joseph and Violet Pless Hall, 3rd Floor
82 Washington Square East
New York, NY 10003-6680
212 998 5030