# 2026-2027 Course Catalog
**Source**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/education/education-policy-organization-leadership-ma/
**Parent**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/
*for the degree of Master of Arts in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership (on campus)*
---
## **Graduate Degree Programs**
Degree programs in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership are designed to meet the academic and professional interests of individuals preparing for careers as academic professionals, adult educators, college professors, corporate trainers, educational policy analysts, governmental administrators, instructional designers/technologists, non-profit representatives, organizational development specialists, and university administration leaders.
## **Admission**
The Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership carefully considers all applicants for graduate study. Interested applicants should start at the [College of Education Graduate Programs website](http://education.illinois.edu/programs/grad). In addition to the application, the applicant is required to submit the following information: a statement of purpose, updated resume, official transcripts from all colleges attended, and three letters of recommendation. A scholarly writing sample in English (e.g., a master's thesis, article, or academic paper) is required for application to a doctoral program.
International applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency for admission. Please see the [English Proficiency Requirement for Admission](https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/instructions/04c) for additional information on this requirement.
## **Facilities and Resources**
The College of Education offers a variety of resources to support graduate students throughout their academic journey. The Bureau of Educational Research assists students in securing research funding, and each student is assigned a graduate adviser to help plan their program of study, select courses, and track progress toward degree completion. Additional information about university-wide resources is available on the [GradMAP](https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/admitted-students/gradmap-canvas-community) website.
## **Financial Aid**
Financial aid in the form of assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, and tuition waivers can be found throughout the [college](https://education.illinois.edu/current-students/graduate/financial-aid) and campus. Please note: Graduate students employed as staff by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are not eligible for a College of Education Fellowship. Campus opportunities can be found at the [Graduate College](http://www.grad.illinois.edu/financial-aid) and the [Office of Student Financial Aid](http://www.osfa.illinois.edu/).
*for the degree of Master of Arts in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership (on campus)*
---
The Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership offers many programs leading to the degree of Master of Arts (M.A.). A list of programs and additional requirements can be found on the [program's website,](https://education.illinois.edu/faceted-search/programs?department=epol)the [College of Education Graduate Programs Handbook](https://education.illinois.edu/current-students/graduate/coe-graduate-handbook), and the [Graduate College Handbook](http://www.grad.illinois.edu/gradhandbook/).
Students may select a concentration in:
- [African American Studies](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/las/concentration/african-american-studies/)
- [Bilingual-Bicultural Education](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/education/concentration/bilingual-bicultural-education/)
- [Digital Learning](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/education/concentration/digital-learning/)
- [Diversity & Equity in Education](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/education/concentration/diversity-equity-education/)
- [Educational Administration & Leadership](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/education/concentration/educational-administration-leadership/)
- [Global Studies in Education](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/education/concentration/global-studies-education/)
- [Higher Education](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/education/concentration/higher-education/)
- [History of Education](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/education/concentration/history-education/)
- [Human Resource Development](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/education/concentration/human-resource-development/)
- [Learning Design & Leadership](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/education/concentration/learning-design-leadership/)
- [Philosophy of Education](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/education/concentration/philosophy-education/)
- [Social Sciences & Education Policy](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/education/concentration/social-sciences-education-policy/)
- [Writing Studies](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/las/concentration/writing-studies/)
---
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Foundations Hours | | 8 |
| Choose at least two foundation courses from the Course List tab. At least one of these two courses must be a course from outside the degree-granting department. | | |
| Thesis Research Credit (min/max applied toward degree) | | 2-8 |
| 400/500-Level Courses approved by Advisor | | 16-22 |
| Independent Study (min/max) (optional) | | |
| Total Hours | | 32 |
**Other Requirements**
Grad Other Degree Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Concentration courses may overlap with other coursework requirements. | |
| A concentration is not required. | |
| 500-Level Hours Required in Education (Thesis Research Credit not included) | 12 hours |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
*for the degree of Master of Arts in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership (on campus)*
---
## Foundations Course List
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [CI 446](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=CI%20446 "CI 446") | Culture in the Classroom | |
| [CI 501](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=CI%20501 "CI 501") | Curriculum Development for the 21st Century | |
| [EPOL 401](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20401 "EPOL 401") | History of American Education | |
| [EPOL 402](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20402 "EPOL 402") | Asian American Education | |
| [EPOL 403](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20403 "EPOL 403") | Historical and Social Barriers | |
| [EPOL 405](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20405 "EPOL 405") | School and Society | |
| [EPOL 406](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20406 "EPOL 406") | Professional Ethics in Education | |
| [EPOL 407](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20407 "EPOL 407") | Critical Thinking in Education | |
| [EPOL 409](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20409 "EPOL 409") | Sociology of Education | |
| [EPOL 410](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20410 "EPOL 410") | Racial and Ethnic Families | |
| [EPOL 412](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20412 "EPOL 412") | Politics of Education | |
| [EPOL 413](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20413 "EPOL 413") | Economics of Education | |
| [EPOL 480](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20480 "EPOL 480") | Technology and Educational Reform | |
| [EPOL 530](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20530 "EPOL 530") | Educational Politics and Policies | |
| [EPOL 552](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20552 "EPOL 552") | Foundation of Higher Education | |
| Any 400 level EPSY course | | |
| [EPSY 553](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPSY%20553 "EPSY 553") | Global Issues in Learning | |
| [SPED 514](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=SPED%20514 "SPED 514") | Equity Issues in Special Education | |
| [SPED 517](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=SPED%20517 "SPED 517") | Disability Issues in Special Education | |
*for the degree of Master of Arts in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership (on campus)*
---
Upon the conclusion of the program in EPOL, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based programs and practices.
2. Comprehend current topics and trends in EPOL-wide fields that inform evidence-based practices to improve equity, diversity, and social justice across a wide range of educational, professional, and organizational contexts.
*for the degree of Master of Arts in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership (on campus)*
---
## [Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership](https://education.illinois.edu/epol)
Head of the Department: Lorenzo Baber\
Director of Graduate Studies: Linda Herrera\
Graduate Admissions Information: Linda Stimson (on campus) and Jena Pfoff (online/off-campus)\
[Education Policy, Organization & Leadership faculty](https://education.illinois.edu/faculty-finder/epol)\
142 Education Building, 1310 South Sixth Street, Champaign, IL 61820\
(217) 244-3542\
[gradservices@education.illinois.edu](mailto:gradservices@education.illinois.edu)
## [College of Education](http://education.illinois.edu/)
[College of Education programs](https://education.illinois.edu/faceted-search/programs/)
## **Admissions**
[College of Education Admissions & Requirements](https://education.illinois.edu/programs/grad/how-to-apply?url=/programs/grad)\
[Graduate College Admissions & Requirements](https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply)