NYU Steinhardt offers multiple master’s and doctoral degrees related to education policy across four departments: Administration, Leadership, and Technology; Applied Psychology; Applied Statistics, Social Sciences, and Humanities; and Teaching and Learning. Prospective students may click on the program descriptions to learn more about them, sign up for upcoming information and sessions, and learn what they need to apply to them.
Master's Programs
Master of Arts
Education and Social Policy
Rooted in economics and sociology, this master’s teaches you how to use statistics, data sets, and research results to formulate, implement, and evaluate educational policies for grades K-12 and higher education.
Master of Arts
Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy
Explore educational politics and policy, the role of educational organizations working with schools and communities, and research and policy analysis.
Master of Arts
Human Development Research and Policy
This program will prepare you to understand human development across the lifespan as well as the psychological, cultural, and socio-ecological factors that influence the contexts and systems in which people develop.
How do these programs compare?
| Education and Social Policy | Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy | Human Development Research and Policy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How long does it take to complete? | 38 credits (i.e., 3 full-time semesters) | 36 credits (i.e., 3 full-time semesters; can also be done in 2 full-time semesters, with classes in January and summer) | 30 credits (i.e., two full-time semesters) |
| Can you complete it on a part-time basis? | Yes | Yes | No |
| How many courses are required? | 8 courses (you need to take 3 statistical courses; you choose 1 additional methodological course) | 8 courses | 8 courses (you choose 2 statistics courses depending on prior exposure; you choose 1 additional methodological course) |
| How many courses can be chosen? | 3 courses | 4 courses | 2 courses |
| Is there an internship component? | Yes, it is optional | Yes, it is required | Yes, it is required |
| Do you have to submit a thesis? | No, you have to complete a capstone | No, you have to submit a portfolio based on your internship | No, you have to submit a portfolio based on your internship |
| By when do you need to apply? | To start in the Spring 2024: October 1, 2023; To start in the Fall 2024: February 1, 2024 | February 1st, 2024 | February 1st, 2024 |
| In what semester can you start? | Either in the Fall or the Spring | Fall semester | Fall semester |
| Application deadline | Spring: October 1, Fall: February 1 | February 1st | February 1st |
| How long can you stay in the U.S. after graduation through Optional Practical Training (OPT), if you are an international student? | Up to 3 years | Up to 1 year | Up to 3 years |
Doctoral Programs
Doctor of Philosophy
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Explore contemporary problems of practice in collaborative study environments and prepare for a career as a professor or researcher.
Doctor of Philosophy
Higher Education
Earn your doctorate while addressing issues of access and equity, policy, student development, and institutional development and assessment.
Doctor of Philosophy
Developmental Psychology
Gain a strong foundation in developmental theories and cutting-edge research tools and methods for studying development in context.
Doctor of Philosophy
Psychology and Social Intervention
Prepare for a career as a social scientist who can understand, transform, and improve the contexts and systems in which humans develop across the lifespan.
Doctor of Philosophy
International Education
Prepare for a faculty position in comparative and international education, or for a career as a professional educator in international and multinational settings.
Doctor of Philosophy
Sociology of Education
Analyze educational problems and issues using research methods of sociology.
Affiliated Faculty in each PhD Program
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Kris DeFilippis and Luis A. Rodriguez
Higher Education
Erich Dietrich, Ann Marcus, Teboho Moja, Mike Hoa Nguyen, George Spencer, and Liang Zhang
Psychology and Social Intervention
J. Lawrence Aber, Alejandro J. Ganimian and Hirokazu Yoshikawa
International Education
Dana Burde, Elisabeth King, Carol Anne Spreen, and Hua-Yu Sebastian Cherng (程華宇）
Sociology of Education
Lisa M. Stulberg and L'Heureux Lewis-Mccoy
Additional Programs
Three PhD programs in the Department of Teaching and Learning offer opportunities to build knowledge about the intersection of educational policy with instructional issues: the PhD in Bilingual Education; the PhD in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages; and the PhD in Teaching and Learning. Examples of areas studied include special education policy, bilingual education and language policy, and issues of equity and access for students of color and multilingual learners. Opportunities to pursue policy-relevant research vary by faculty, so prospective students are encouraged to explore the current research of Teaching and Learning faculty affiliated with the Education Policy Group for more information.
Financial Aid Opportunities
Choosing to study at NYU Steinhardt is a valuable step for your life and career, but it’s also a financial investment. Our goal is to help you make the best choices for your future and understand the resources that can make your Steinhardt education a reality. Please visit NYU Steinhardt’s Paying for Your Education for additional information.