What Can You Do With a Master’s in Education Policy and Leadership?

Discussions around education policy and teacher performance often center on test scores, which—according to Rand—teachers can significantly impact. Unfortunately, this focus on assessment can eclipse other areas in which teachers facilitate improvement and success. One study showed that teachers’ impact on noncognitive skills, such as self-regulation, adaptability, and motivation, might be more significant than their impact on test scores and, further, that such skills are better predictors of long-term success in school and beyond.

Insights like these could improve learning outcomes across the education spectrum—provided people in power act upon them. If you aspire to effect such changes, consider earning a master’s degree in education leadership. A Master of Education (MEd) in Education Policy and Leadership (like the one offered at American University) can help you advance to positions of influence, whether that means climbing the ladder in your current field or gaining specialized skills to take on new and exciting roles. 

Data released by the National Center for Education Statistics shows that public and private K-12 schools increased administrative staffing during the first year of the pandemic more than in the five years prior. While the growth of leadership positions, such as K-12 principals, is expected to remain consistent through 2032, other roles, including college and university education administrator roles, are expected to grow by 4 percent over the next decade. Earning an MEd degree facilitates opportunities to pursue new roles and enables you to pursue topics you care about. Continue reading to learn more about the roles open to those with an MEd.

Curriculum Development and Support Roles

Curriculum development and design offers varied opportunities to education professionals with advanced credentials, including the following:

• Curriculum specialists ensure consistent content standards and curriculum implementation. They evaluate and improve current and emerging programs, ensuring they adhere to state and local standards. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that instructional coordinators earn an average annual income of about $74,500.
• Instructional designers focus on the tools and methods that can significantly impact a student’s development. They may develop educational training guides, redesign courses, and create supplemental learning materials (like videos, podcasts, websites, and apps). The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that training and development specialists earn an average annual income of about $65,000; those in state, local, and private education services earn closer to $72,500.
• Instructional design managers and directors oversee teams of instructional designers responsible for creating and improving effective learning pathways for students. Talent.com reports an average annual salary for instructional design directors of $96,500.

School and District Education Administration Roles

Earning a master’s in education leadership can propel you to reach new leadership roles within K-12 education administration, including those listed below: 

• Principals oversee all school operations, including academic goals, staffing, budgeting, scheduling, compliance, discipline, and community outreach. This role often requires a master’s degree and teaching experience. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that elementary and secondary public school principals earn about $105,000 annually.
• Assistant principals support school principals in their assigned duties. Traditionally, this role has been delegated to disciplinary matters; in recent years, it has begun to expand to broader school operations. According to Payscale, assistant principals earn an average salary of approximately $78,000.
• Superintendents serve as school district chief executive officers. They plan and direct the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of schools across their district. EdSource reports that superintendents earn an average salary of more than $156,000.

Higher Education Administration and Leadership Roles

An MEd creates opportunities beyond K12 education. A number of roles in higher education administration are open to holders of this degree, including:

• Postsecondary education administrators oversee student services, academics, and faculty research at colleges and universities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for postsecondary education administrators was $102,610 in May 2023.
• Academic directors work closely with administrators and faculty to develop and update curricula and ensure organized, consistent teaching methods. Glassdoor reports an average annual salary for academic directors of $80,000.

Education Policy and Consulting Roles 

MEd graduates hoping to exert a wide-reaching impact on education may want to pursue analyst or consultant roles such as:

• Education policy analysts measure the effectiveness of existing policies and model how proposed policies will affect students, teachers, budgets, and districts. They also design actionable policy-based solutions for challenges facing schools and students. According to Payscale, the average salary for an education policy analyst is about $64,500.
• Education consultants work with students, parents, and schools to improve educational experiences, facilities, and outcomes. This may involve creating new policies and procedures to streamline the financial aid or admissions processes or counseling students about goals. According to Glassdoor, education consultants earn almost $90,000 annually.
• Organizational development consultants apply the principles used to improve education performance in the private sector. They identify performance gaps and devise solutions. ZipRecruiter estimates the average annual income for organizational development consultants at about $110,000.

Corporate Training and Development Roles

The skills gained through a Master of Education program can benefit you beyond the formal education sector. Corporate ​​training and development managers plan, coordinate, and direct programs designed to increase the skills and knowledge of a company’s staff. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual income for training and development managers of about $125,000.

EdTech Opportunities 

EdTech refers to the hardware and software tools that help enhance classroom experiences and student outcomes. Roles mentioned previously—including instructional designer, curriculum specialist, and education consultant—all contribute to EdTech. Other potential opportunities include:

• E-learning specialists and developers collaborate with educators and curriculum designers to create digital learning content such as podcasts, e-books, digital flashcards, training videos, quizzes, and interactive videos. According to Glassdoor, e-learning developers earn an average salary of about $71,500.
• E-learning directors, or online learning directors, work with faculty and teaching staff to create, enhance, and facilitate e-learning opportunities for students. According to Glassdoor, e-learning directors earn an average salary of about $106,500.

Why Earn Your Online Master’s in Education at American University?

American University’s online Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership prepares students with skills and knowledge to effect change at local, state, and federal levels. AU’s MEd degree curriculum is built around four domains to ensure students graduate ready to serve in leadership roles:

• The Washington, DC, network: Full-time faculty and expert practitioners in DC contribute policy, research, and school experience.
• Policy implementation: Special emphasis is placed on implementation and connecting policy to education practice.
• Practical experiences: Students apply skills learned in semester-long, field-based projects with DC education and policy organizations including project management, client relations, analytic design, and project presentation.
• Career support: Ongoing support for identifying career pathways and opportunities, such as career panels and one-on-one career counseling.

AU’s online curriculum combines flexible asynchronous content with a tight-knit community built through the cohort design. Students progress through the program together, taking the same courses and accomplishing program milestones as a group. 

Next Steps: Apply to the American University MEd in Education Policy and Leadership

Ready for the next step in your education career? Pursue a graduate degree in education to expand your professional opportunities and advancement. Contact an enrollment advisor to learn more about the Online Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership at American University or start your application today.