Master of Science (MS) Degree in Education Improvement & Transformation
Drexel University School of Education
Today’s educational leaders need to address myriad challenges and seek to transform their institutions, programs, and policies in order to achieve better outcomes. Working both inside and outside of established organizations, they need to be well-versed in the latest developments, research, and trends that could be relevant to their work, and to be equipped to engage in outside-the-box thinking to make effective changes.
Drexel University’s Master of Science (MS) in Education Improvement and Transformation degree program, which allows students to customize their program so as to meet their individual needs, gives educators the foundation they need move their career in a positive direction.
What Can You Do with a Degree in Education Improvement and Transformation?
Graduate students enrolled in the Master of Science (MS) in Education Improvement and Transformation program at Drexel University have a variety of career paths to choose from. Our students and graduates work in K-12, post-secondary, non-profit, government, and business settings.
Education Improvement and Transformation - Master’s Program Options
The MS in Education Improvement and Transformation degree program at Drexel University is an online-only program.
It’s an entirely new approach to obtaining a graduate degree, allowing students total flexibility to study the topics most relevant to their career growth. Graduate students work closely with academic advisors to create a plan of study that complements their career objectives. Our advisors counsel their students in managing coursework, meeting program requirements and ensuring completion of the program.
If you would like to speak to the academic advisor for this program, please visit the Academic Advisor Directory.
The MS in Educational Improvement and Transformation program is structured around professional development concentration sets in a variety of topics. To qualify for a master’s degree, students must complete four of the 12 professional development concentration sets:
- Collaborative Special Education Law & Process
- Creativity & Innovation
- Education Policy
- Entrepreneurship
- Evaluation & Assessment
- Higher Education Leadership
- Instructional Design for eLearning
- Leadership in Educational Settings
- Learning Analytics
- Mind, Brain & Learning
- Urban Education
Through the education policy and professional development concentrations, students gain a broad base of knowledge in several areas of education. The degree program curriculum lets students sample several areas to determine their specific interests and gain knowledge in those fields.
Admissions Criteria
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Graduate degree GPAs will be considered along with the undergraduate GPA
Required Documents
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting Drexel Online's Completing Your Application Guide.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
- Two professional letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement (500 - 750 words) describing your interest in the program. Specifically:
- How the program relates to your previous educational and professional activities
- If changing course, why you are moving in this new direction with your educational goals
- How the program relates to your current line of work
- How you plan to apply the program to your future goals
- Additional requirements for International Students
The Educational Improvement and Transformation master’s program is a 45-credit program. The master’s program concentration sets include coursework in areas such as assessment, strategic partnership, change leadership, educational policy, disabilities, virtual schools, charter schooling, home schooling, community engagement & development, urban education, school boards, and financing education. Students also complete an elective of their choice. Additional professional development concentrations may be developed on a topical needs or special population-based basis.
Capstone Courses
Students in the MS in Education Improvement and Transformation program complete a research capstone course where they are introduced to various types of research designs and learn to be both consumers and producers of research. Following completion of the research course, students will complete a capstone experience by selecting one of the two-course multi-disciplinary sequence options below:
- Thesis (Part I and II) - Students who select this option will be required to complete a master’s thesis which consists of a well-written research paper, comprised of five chapters that posits a research question and uses logical arguments & data to address/answer a gap in research
- Practitioner Course (Part I and II) - Students who select this option will be required to complete a master’s project. Examples include: A reform initiative narrative, program or grant proposal, white paper or policy analysis, or program evaluation
For the full MS in Education Improvement and Transformation curriculum, please see the Drexel University Course Catalog.
How to Apply to the Master of Science in Education Improvement & Transformation Program
The MS in Education Improvement & Transformation program is offered 100% online. You can get started by filling out the Drexel Online application.
Alumni Spotlight
Colleen Curren currently works as a special education teacher at Triton Regional High School. Colleen enrolled in Drexel's online Education Improvement and Transformation program while working full-time at a teacher. Colleen says, "The flexibility of the online format for me as a working professional also had a large impact on my decision to attend Drexel." The flexibility of the EIT program allowed Colleen to complete assignments on her own schedule and applied what she learned directly to her workplace. Colleen hopes to become more active in shaping educational policy at the local, state, and national level in the future. She credits Drexel by saying, "I believe that my education in Drexel's EIT program and continued opportunities the program provides me as a graduate will help me to do so."