Lead Change in Education Policy: Study What Shapes Schools and Society

Education and Public Policy at a glance

Education and Public Policy (EPP) is a unique discipline that intersects and connects the policy world with American Education Infrastructure. People feel the effects of policy at a local, regional, and national level.

In the EPP program at Penn State, students learn the history of American Education policy, learn how to harness the tools of educational research, and have the flexibility to choose concentrations that center around subjects in education and development.  

Why is education important? 

Education is the bedrock of opportunity and well-being in America. When policy is crafted with integrity, everyone benefits from it. The Penn State EPP program is centered around honoring the values of education, as well as learning from how policy changes over time.

What makes our major unique? 

Students can ‘find their niche’ in a large university with small, focused, classes. The EPP program requires field experience of a student’s choice to put policy into action. Faculty and students are able to develop strong connections and can navigate avenues of interest with academic support.  

What career and internship prospects are in store at EPP? 

The skills and theory that you learn in EPP are flexible and applicable to numerous fields. Many students decide that they do want to teach and work in school administration. Many others choose to pursue law school. Some students choose to pursue business. Others opt for research institutes. The EPP program also has a 4+1 Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate program, where students can get their master's in education theory and policy in one year.

For more information on how to pursue a degree in Education and Public Policy at the Penn State College of Education, you can contact program coordinator Cassie Vomero.