Voinovich School and Patton College offer new certificate in education public policy leadership
June 27, 2018
Ohio University’s Patton College of Education, in collaboration with the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, is introducing a one-year, online graduate Education Public Policy Leadership Certificate. Offering both theoretical and practical instruction, along with experiences in education public policy, this 12-credit program runs on a January to December timeframe and enable participants to interface with both peers and professionals.
The certificate is designed for professionals who have an interest in education public policy and work in K-12 education, higher education, school boards, education professional associations, non-governmental and civic organizations, foundations, think tanks focused on education issues, legislative affairs, lobbying or related areas.
Marsha Lewis, associate professor and senior associate dean, is managing the Voinovich School’s partnership in the certificate program. Lewis said that the certificate fills an important niche.
“Education is a critical public policy area and one that is constantly churning. This program provides a solid set of competencies for anyone working in the field or in public affairs generally,” Lewis said.
The program emphasizes practical professional development and networking opportunities, culminating in an immersive three-day face-to-face networking residency in Washington, D.C. Additionally, throughout the duration of the program, frequent guest practitioners and leaders in varied aspects of public policy will join faculty from the Patton College and the Voinovich School to deliver engaging content.
Lewis said that the collaboration between the Voinovich School and the Patton College allows the certificate program to provide students with a strong command of the education public policy making process, including policy development, analysis, implementation, evaluation and advocacy, while equipping students with knowledge and skills to increase their employability in the education public policy sphere.
“The Patton College faculty bring the content expertise in education policy and practice, and the Voinovich School brings the expertise in the broader public affairs environment where education policy is made and implemented,” Lewis said. “The Voinovich School has worked side-by-side on applied research with the Patton College for many years, so this partnership is not new – just growing.”
For more information, view this program brochure or contact Dwan Robinson, associate professor of educational studies and coordinator of the certificate program, at robinsd3@ohio.edu.
