The Education Policy and Evaluation online master’s program from Florida State University offers a chance for individuals to receive high quality education on their own time. Designed to be completed in as little as two years on a part-time schedule, the online education policy and evaluation master’s program will prepare students for impactful careers in local, state, and national educational institutions and agencies. Additionally, students can earn the Program Evaluation certificate at the same time.*
The online master’s in education policy and evaluation uses a cohort model to help students get to know their peers and encourage one another as they work through the curriculum. During the program, students will learn about current issues affecting education, including school finance, urban education reform, teacher quality, charter schools, and more. Students learn from faculty members well-regarded in the field of education policy and evaluation.
Education policy has wide-ranging ramifications to society, as policy dictates access to quality education, how teachers are trained, and more. The FSU education policy and evaluation online master’s program gives students the knowledge they need to contribute and lead these critical conversations.
Interested in a face-to-face master’s in education policy and evaluation? Learn more about our in-person program.
*In order to qualify for program evaluation certificate, students will need to hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution. Students will also need to complete the Certificate Admissions Form prior to the completion of two classes in the program. Learn more about the program evaluation certificate and its admission requirements.
Applications for the Online Master’s are only accepted for Fall.
- Fall admission - July 1
Degree & GPA
A bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA – An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor’s degree.
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
In your application, please upload your most recent Resume/CV including your current employment.
Statement of Purpose
Describe your purpose for pursuing a degree, qualifications, and long-term goals.
Letter of Recommendation
One letter of recommendation is required. This letter should be from an individual who can describe your ability to meet the graduate level of rigor and expectations of coursework, writing and speaking skills, and work ethic. Specifically, supervisors, professors, or postsecondary instructors.
- Letters from friends or family will not be considered. Letters should be professional, typed on letterhead, and have a signature.
- Upon entering the recommender’s email address, the application system will send instructions to your recommender for uploading letters.
GRE Scores
GRE Test Scores: For applicants submitting GRE test scores, we recommend the following minimum target scores: Verbal (149), Quantitative (147), Analytical Writing (3.5)
GRE Waivers: *NOTE: The GRE requirements have been waived through Fall 2026.
Applicants with a competitive GRE score may continue to submit scores. If master’s applicants do not submit scores, the item will be waived on the application checklist.
Master’s: Applicants are automatically waived for the GRE requirement.
Official test results are required from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The Educational Testing Service (ETS) does not retain scores longer than five years. If your test scores are older than five years, you may have to retake the test to have official scores sent directly to FSU from the testing agency. If you have the official report that was mailed to your home address for older scores, then FSU will accept that report. FSU Institution Code: 5219.
Transcripts
Please see the “Transcript Requirement” section on The Graduate School website for detailed information and submission instructions: https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions
- Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are ONLY required for admitted students & applicants who require SpanTran evaluations of International Transcripts.
- Unofficial Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts are required for your application to be reviewed. Please submit ALL unofficial transcripts from each College and/or University attended. FSU only allows for application review with unofficial transcripts from U.S. institutions. For applicants with transcripts from a non-U.S. institution, a credential evaluation must be received before the application can be reviewed. *Official transcripts on the application checklist will show a red “X” until they are submitted. Applicants who have submitted all required documents and are only missing official transcripts are still considered complete and will be reviewed.
- International Transcript Requirements: FSU requires a course-by-course credential evaluation for Fall 2024 applicants and beyond who have degrees from a non-U.S. institution. International and domestic applicants with degrees earned from international institutions must submit their official transcripts through a NACES approved evaluator for transcripts from a non-U.S. institution. SpanTran has created a custom application for FSU to ensure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. Please see the “Transcript Requirements” section of the Graduate School website for detailed information. https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions
English Language Proficiency Test Scores
Official English Language Proficiency results are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. You can find the approved tests and minimum scores required here under the “English Language Proficiency” section: https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/international-admissions
- Self-Reported Scores
Although official scores are required, most departments will begin reviewing your application with self-reported scores while waiting for the official scores to arrive. You can self-report your scores on your Online Status Page after you submit your application. - Waiving English Language Proficiency
The English Language Proficiency requirement can be waived at the University level for applicants who have earned a BA or higher in the US or an English-speaking country. *A variety of countries are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement.
Florida Residency Form
If you are a Florida resident, you must complete the Florida Residency Affidavit even if you were previously designated a Florida Resident by the University. If you do not complete this form, you will be classified as a non-Florida resident for tuition purposes.
The FSU application is a 2-step process. You must first submit your online application. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email with information to access your Application Status Page. The Status Page is where you will pay your application fee, add recommenders to your application, and upload application materials.
Please select the applicable fields when applying:
Online Master’s:
Campus/Location - Online/Distance Learning
Degree – Master’s Degree
Major – Education Policy and Evaluation – MS
Tuition & Fees: Traditional Academic Programs → Distance Learning
FAFSA: Federal Student Financial Aid
Scholarships: Scholarship opportunities for the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
FSU Graduate School Funding & Awards: Awards, Grants, Fellowships
Click here to learn more about our Educational Leadership and Policy faculty.
A wide array of opportunities to influence education policy as policy analysts and program evaluators. Analyze existing or potential policies a local, state and national education agencies, think tanks, non-for-profit organizations, and advocacy organizations, develop groundbreaking policy, and analyze existing or future policies at local, state, and national educational agencies await graduates of our Education Policy & Evaluation programs.
As of 2023, the median pay for policy analysts is $72,320 a year. Careers in education policy and evaluation are perfect for individuals who enjoy creative and critical thinking, analysis, and problem solving.
