Programs

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Policy is designed to expose students to present-day and emergent developments in educational policy. To fulfill the certificate requirement, students are required to successfully complete four online courses, two of which are required and two of which are from a set of three elective courses. These courses have been designed to provide students with the opportunity to undertake a graduate level exploration of major contemporary educational policy issues, while at the same time firmly grounding their understanding of these topics both in an historical context and with sensitivity to the critical role of educational institutions in the development of a more democratic society.

The curriculum has been designed to prepare students for a professional management or analytical role within a local or state education agency and/or to continue their study at the graduate level.

The Educational Policy Certificate program will provide students with:

• Critical transformative knowledge to examine educational policy within a global socio-economic context.
  
• Conceptual framework to critically grasp policy analyses and research with a transformative purpose.
  
• Critical understanding of current debates in education policy and policy answers to address educational problems.
  
• Theoretical framework of the historical, political, social, and economic context of education in the United States.
  
• This Certificate can be completed in one year, and all the credits can also be applied toward the Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree from UMass Dartmouth, also online.
  

Learn more about this program:

To receive more information and connect with the program manager, please click on inquire now to the right.

Registration is administered through Professional and Continuing Education at UMass Dartmouth. Payment is due upon registration. Please see Fee Schedule below.

The University of Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Did you know?

University of Massachusetts has earned several awards for its distance learning programs, faculty and technology including:

• University of Massachusetts Lowell’s B.S. in Information Technology Ranked Among Top Affordable Online IT Degrees by Get Educated in 2011
• UMass Ranked Among Top 10 Best Colleges in Online Education in Communication & Public Relations Degrees, 2011 by The Best Colleges
• UMass Ranked 2nd Among Top 10 Online Bachelor of Business Administration Degrees, 2011 by The Best Colleges
• UMass ranks 19th highest-rated university in the world by the Times of London.
• UMass ranked 56th in the Times of London's Top 200
  
• UMassOnline, UMass Boston President's Special Achievement Award, Valerie C. Haven, Sloan-C 2010 Awards
• University of Massachusetts Ranked Among Top 28 Best Value in Online Education for Human Services & Psychology Professionals, 2009 by Get Educated
  
• Ranked Top 10 Online Degrees Colleges- September 2009 (Online Degree Reviews.com)
  
• UMassOnline Awarded Public Sector of the Year by Mass Technology Leadership Council , 2008
  
• Most Outstanding Online Teaching and Learning Program, UMass Lowell's Online Graduate Behavioral Intervention in Autism Program, Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards, 2008
  
• 'Excellence in Online Teaching' Award, Dr. Jeannette E. Riley, Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards, 2008
  
• 21st Century Best Practices Award, United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
  
• Program of Excellence, University Continuing Education Association (UCEA)-Journalism Certificate
  
• Excellence in Faculty Development, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• Excellence in Online Programming, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• Excellence in Online Teaching, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• UMass Amherst Isenberg MBA, Top 10 national rankings, #4 Best Professors (2005, 2006, 2007 Princeton Review: Best Business Schools rankings)
  
• 4th in Primary Care Education, U.S. World Reports
  
• Excellence in Distance Teaching Education - United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) 

1. Earned Baccalaureate Degree

All applicants to the Graduate Certificate in Educational Policy must have an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited 4-year college or university in the United States or comparable non-U.S. degree/diploma from a recognized foreign institution of higher education at the time of matriculation. A copy of official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, undergraduate and graduate, must be submitted as part of the application process. Applicants may hold a degree in any field.

2. Graduate School Application for US Citizens/International Applicants

All applicants must complete and submit UMass Dartmouth's Graduate School Application online.

3. Statement of Purpose (Essay)

All applicants are required to submit an essay of 400-500 words explaining their interest in the program and purpose for applying to the program. The essay should include the applicant's previous organizational leadership experience in theory and practice, as well as future intentions for practical application of learning outcomes from the program.

4. Current resume or a curriculum vitae

5. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth does not require a TOEFL from U.S. citizens or citizens of countries where English is the official language (i.e., Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa). Applicants whose native language in not English must demonstrate proficiency. English proficiency can be demonstrated by taking the TOEFL, which is administered worldwide. TOEFL scores are valid for five years from the date of anticipated matriculation in the EPCP. This requirement is waived only for those who had English as their primary language for secondary school or college instruction or who have successfully completed one year of advanced secondary school or college/university study in the U.S. A minimum TOEFL score of 72 is required on the Internet-Based Test (IBT), and a minimum score of 533 is required for the Paper-Based Test (PBT). For information about testing locations and dates, contact the Educational Testing Service, Rosedale Road, Princeton, NJ 08541 USA, 609-921-9000 (phone), or www.toefl.org. ETS must report official scores to us, using UMass Dartmouth’s school code (3786).

Federal financial aid approval for the Graduate Certificate in Educational Policy is pending. Availability of financial aid varies depending on matriculation and course status. Please check with the program contact to determine your eligibility. Generally, if you are matriculated in a degree program and are enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits each semester, you may qualify for financial aid.

Students who are admitted to the program should review our Financial Aid Checklist, and fill ill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is important to list the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth school code number 002210.

Tips:

• Please renew your FAFSA form every year.
• When you register for classes, please contact the Professional and Continuing Education at UMass Dartmouth at (508) 999-9202 to let them know you have applied/are applying for financial aid.

For more information or if you have further questions, please contact UMass Dartmouth Financial Aid Office at (508) 999-8632 or at financialaid@umassd.edu.