Brown University’s one-year, on-campus master’s in urban education policy develops change agents who can make an impact in equitable educational opportunities.
The master’s in urban education policy (UEP) program integrates research, theory and practice to explore critical areas such as urban school governance, race and democracy, program evaluation, data analysis, economic analysis, community needs assessment and strategic management.
This program offers the following degree:
- Master of arts (A.M.)
Through a focused academic curriculum and a nine-month internship, you’ll learn how urban education policy works, how decisions are made, how to measure policy consequences and how to make an impact.
During your internship, you’ll gain hands-on experience addressing the evolving needs of policy organizations. Previous UEP students have gained valuable experience working at prominent organizations including Providence Public Schools, Central Falls Public Schools, the Providence Mayor’s Office, the Rhode Island Department of Education, Boston Public Schools, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Providence Promise, the Annenberg Institute at Brown, the Nellie Mae Foundation, Rhode Island Kids Count and more.
Additional Information
Extended study option: A limited number of students can study on an extended basis. Learn more here.
Brown undergraduates can apply to this program as a fifth-year master’s degree.
Application Information
If you have any questions regarding the application process for this program, please email masters_admissions@brown.edu.
Application Requirements
GRE Subject:
Not required
GRE General:
Not required for the 2025-26 application.
TOEFL/IELTS:
All international applicants whose native language is not English must submit an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score.
Official Transcripts:
Required. All applicants may upload unofficial transcripts for application submission. Official transcripts are ONLY required for enrolling students before class start. An international transcript evaluation (WES, ECE, or The Evaluation Company) is required for degrees from non-U.S. institutions before enrollment.
Letters of Recommendations:
Three (3) recommendations required.
Two (2) recommendations for current Brown undergraduates (5th-year applicants).
Personal Statement:
Please describe in 1000-1500 words your motivations for pursuing graduate work in the U.S.-based urban education policy program. The personal statement should highlight your experience (work/study and research) in your chosen field, professional goals, and plans for study at Brown, including specific problems within urban public education you want to address.
Resume/CV:
Required
Additional Requirements:
In no more than 200 words, please comment on your training, policy, research, and/or management experience in using any type of data, both qualitative and quantitative.
Dates/Deadlines
Application Deadline
5th Year Deadline
Tuition and Funding
- Graduate Tuition & Fees: Please visit the Student Financial Services Office for up-to-date tuition rates.
- Scholarships: Merit and need-based scholarships are available. More information can be found on the Department of Education’s cost and financial aid website.
Completion Requirements
The program can be completed in one year on a full-time basis or in two years on an extended study basis. Students are required to complete nine courses, which consist of one elective course and eight core courses. This also includes a nine-month internship that counts as one course. Brown University fifth-year students can enroll in a graduate course during their senior year that will count toward their UEP elective requirement, allowing them to complete eight courses within one year.
The required courses are in the areas of urban education policy – system and governance; race and democracy; policy analysis and program evaluation; education inequality and community assets; quantitative research methods and data analysis; economic analysis of education policy; and strategic management of school organization. One of the required courses is the nine-month internship, which serves as a key feature of the program.
The elective component of the curriculum allows students to either gain a greater depth of training in a core area or broaden their graduate experience by seeking coursework in areas that are related to, but not directly covered by, the core courses in the program.
Alumni Outcomes
Both inside and outside the classroom, you’ll receive top-notch preparation for careers in policy, research, educational leadership or consulting.
Learn More