Mission of the program
The program is designed for teachers, educational leaders, administrators, and other educational professionals seeking to extend and deepen their expertise in management policy, research in teaching and learning. It will provide the knowledge and skills required to enhance teaching, leadership and administration roles within the educational field.
Intended Learning Outcomes
- Critically analyze and evaluate education policy and management and how the education system is related to social, political, economic and cultural aspects of life;
- Analyze organizational and institutional behaviors to promote inclusion and equity in education;
- Evaluate programs, instructors, students and institutional performance;
- Design quality education programs and develop high-quality written products in multiple formats typically utilized by education policy professionals;
- Communicate complex subjects matter in writing and presenting to professional and academic audiences;
- Demonstrate the abilities to sustain their own leadership growth
Admission requirements for
Master in Educational Policy and Management program
- Completed higher education
- Copy of a diploma confirming the completion of undergraduate degree(s).
- Copy of a transcript (diploma supplement) with grades
- Submission of applications
According to Standard Rules of Admission to Academic Institutions Offering Graduate Education, all applicants are obliged to submit a complete application package to the Admissions Office by July 30 of the corresponding year.
- Complex Test (CT)
CT follows the method developed by the National Testing Center of the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan.
All graduate applicants – citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan – have to take Complex Test in order to secure admission to the graduate program.
- English language proficiency requirements:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
- TOEFL IBT – not less than 46 points,
- TOEFL PBT – not less than 453,
- TOEFL CBT – not less than 133;
- TOEFL PDT – not less than 65.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS– at least 5.5).
- Cambridge – FCE, CEFR – B2.
- KIMEP English Placement Test (KEPT) – at least 80 points
Exemption can be granted to the holders of completed undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degrees or their equivalents from English medium universities (authentic diploma, transcript and confirmation of English teaching including KIMEP University Graduates.
- Entrance examinations by specialization:
Entrance examinations for graduate programs take place at KIMEP University between August 10 and 20.
- KIMEP Graduate Entrance Test (KGET), required score is >14;
- On –line Interview in the field of study will be conducted by the related departments’ committees. 4-5 questions need to be provided which we will add to on-line application
KIMEP graduates with a GPA of 3.0 and above are exempted from program entrance tests.
GMAT and GRE international certificates:
KIMEP University accepts GMAT and GRE international certificates for the appropriate graduate programs; each department considers these certificates on an individual basis.
MEPM Curriculum
Requirements for the MA in Education Policy and Management are as follows:
| Discipline Module | Credits | ECTS |
| Program Foundation | 9 | 10 |
| Required Courses | 6 | 6 |
| Elective Courses | 3 | 4 |
| Program Specialization | 15 | 29 |
| Required Courses | 6 | 10 |
| Elective Courses | 6 | 10 |
| Professional Apprenticeship | 3 | 9 |
| Experimental Research Work | 2 | 13 |
| Final Attestation | 1 | 8 |
| Total Required for Graduation | 27 | 60 |
To view the detailed MEPM curriculum, please see KIMEP University Catalog
STUDY PLAN
The following tables are a sample program of study to finish the MA in Education Policy and Management program in one year.
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||||||
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Course Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS |
| EPM5101 | Strategic Management in Education | 2 | 2 | EPM5104 | Curriculum Development and Management | 3 | 5 |
| EPM5102 | Managerial Psychology | 2 | 2 | EPM5301 | Program Evaluation | 3 | 5 |
| TFL5103.2 | Academic Writing (Foreign Language) | 2 | 2 | EPMxxxx | Program Specialization Elective 1 | 3 | 5 |
| EPMxxxx | Program Foundation Elective | 3 | 4 | EPMxxxx | Program Specialization Elective 2 | 3 | 5 |
| EPM5302 | Professional Apprenticeship | 3 | 9 | EPM5402.2 | Thesis Defense | 1 | 8 |
| EPM5401.2 | Thesis 1 | 2 | 13 | ||||
| TOTAL | 14 | 32 | TOTAL | 13 | 28 | ||
Total for Program: 27 course credits (60 ECTS)
EPM5101 Strategic Management in Education (2 credits, 2 ECTS)
Prerequisite: None
This course introduces the concept of strategic management through case analyses, and considers the basic direction and goals of an educational organization, the environment factors, education market structure, and organizational strengths and weaknesses. The emphasis is on the development of strategy to gain and sustain advantage in competitive markets.
EPM5102 Managerial Psychology (2 credits, 2 ECTS)
Prerequisite: None
This course will familiarize students with the basic concepts of and approaches to managerial psychology, exploring human behavior in the context of work. It will provide an overview of basic behavioral science theory and provide opportunities to apply them in work environments. By the end of the course students will have a basic knowledge of the field as well as the ability to learn more about this subject independently.
EPM5103 Organizational Behavior and Leadership in Education (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: None
The course enhances the knowledge, core leadership skills, and ability to communicate and to effectively manage and lead others in educational organizations. It requires a clear understanding of human behavior and social processes. The course moves progressively through individual, group, and organizational levels of behavior drawing on theory and best practices.
EPM5105 Educational Assessment (3 credits, 4 ECTS)
Prerequisite: None
The course examines research theory and practice relevant to assessments. The general instructional objective is to critically review types, politics, purposes, procedures, uses, and limitations of assessment strategies and techniques, including standardized testing. It also teaches assessment strategies including developing the skills to select, score, and interpret educational assessments.
EPM5104 Curriculum Development and Management (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: Professional Competence Module Elective
This course familiarizes students with the curriculum theory and the procedures involved in curriculum development, management and evaluation. The course covers the following topics: history of curriculum change, sociocultural and political curriculum agendas, models and theories of curriculum, models and frameworks in curriculum design, curriculum evaluation, and curriculum management in practice.
EPM5111 Analyzing Educational Policy (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: None
The objective of this course is to develop students’ capacity to conceptualize educational policy issues and problems, devise strategies for addressing them, and comprehend policy documents. Students will gain an understanding of how the political, social, cultural and the social contexts shape educational policy, and how the policies are typically made, implemented and evaluated.
EPM5211 Educational Equity (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: None
This course focuses on factors that impact decisions educators must make regarding design and implementation of curriculum, teaching strategies, and materials in order to provide equity and excellence for all learners. The course covers the following topics: education, equity and social justice; tracking and inequality; measuring inequalities; educational strategies for socio-culturally disadvantaged students.
EPM5213 Program Evaluation (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: None
This course provides an introduction to the major concepts and theories in the field of program evaluation, such as: defining the different components of a program evaluation, its role in program and policy development, etc. Students will design, collect and analyze, and write up an evaluation report based on a field-based program evaluation project that the entire class will participate in.
EPM5214 Language Education Policy (3 credits, 4 ECTS)
Prerequisite: None
The course is a comprehensive introduction to language education policies as a form of human resource development planning and social impact of language policies. The focus is on critical analysis of explicitly stated language policies (legislation, curricula and other educational documents), implicit language ideologies and language practices in education.
EPM5215 Finance and Budget in Education (3 credits, 4 ECTS)
Prerequisite: None
This course is an introductory examination of financial, economic, and budgetary issues in education. Students will review the political, economic, and social issues influencing education finance, examine revenue streams and expenditure patterns, develop the ability to examine and analyze financial information, and assess the budget as an instrument of strategic planning, resource allocation, and control.
EPM5301 Program Evaluation (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: None
This course provides an introduction to the major concepts and theories in the field of program evaluation, such as: defining the different components of a program evaluation, its role in program and policy development, etc. Students will design, collect and analyze, and write up an evaluation report based on a field-based program evaluation project that the entire class will participate in.
EPM5401.2 Thesis I (2 credits, 13 ECTS)
Prerequisite: Minimum 9 credits, 15 ECTS
The purpose of the courses is to complete a capstone project, culminating students’ experiences in the MEPM Program. Students should complete their dissertation writing and successfully defend their thesis.
TFL5103.2 Academic Writing (Foreign Language) (2 credits, 2 ECTS)
Prerequisite: None
This course is offered to master students and it introduces them to scientific writing. Students will practice writing their own articles, review literature, improve texts, and practice advanced grammar. The course will also assist in learning to identify typical features in published articles. Students will have an opportunity to submit work to their instructor and receive constructive feedback; they will also submit and receive papers for peer feedback. Through these practices, they will discover more about their own writing style and maximize their learning experience.
There are many opportunities for merit-based scholarships for Kazakhstani and international students.
While studying at KIMEP University, students may also apply for part-time positions available on the University campus.
Contact the Office of Financial Aid, if you would like to apply for scholarship.
Tuition & Fees
What specific jobs will this degree qualify me for?
The MA in Education Policy and Management program is a multidisciplinary field that can qualify you to work as an administrator, an education expert in government and private agencies, a lobbyist, a curriculum designer, an advisor in legislative and legal settings, or an analyst.
With this degree, you can follow a variety of wide-ranging, distinct career pathways. Here are a few of the job titles open to those who hold a master’s in education policy and leadership:
- Principal positions at private and public schools
- Education management positions in state and government structures
- Educational consultant
- Education policy analyst
- Curriculum and educational content developer
- Educational policy developer
- Corporate trainer
- You might also pursue further studies at the Ph.D. level