Graduate Programs in Education and Social Policy
Our master’s degrees and graduate certificates in education and criminal justice equip you to tackle some of society’s most challenging problems.
Education and Criminal Justice Master’s Degrees: Why Merrimack College?
Merrimack College’s Winston School of Education and Social Policy has a decades-long commitment to social justice and reform. Our graduate programs in education, community engagement and criminology give you the practical skills and theoretical expertise to strengthen your professional impact and create a better world.
Our graduate programs are known for:
Innovative faculty.
You’ll work closely with pioneering researchers and practitioners, including many who’ve gained national recognition. Our small classes encourage strong one-on-one relationships with professors, who support you academically and professionally.
Exceptional hands-on training.
Our master’s degree programs in education, community engagement and criminal justice offer career-building nine-month fellowships that include full tuition. Whether or not you receive a fellowship, our programs enable you to conduct research and gain workplace experience that helps you stand out in the job market and on the job.
Deep community engagement.
Merrimack College’s longstanding partnerships enable you to interact directly with school districts, social service organizations, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders. You’ll have the opportunity to change lives and influence minds while you’re completing your graduate studies.
Ongoing career development.
Our education, community engagement and criminal justice graduate programs cater to students at every career stage, from recent college graduates to established professionals. Whether you’re seeking to earn a license, qualify for a promotion or simply deepen your skill set, our graduate certificates and master’s degrees can make you a more marketable, more effective employee.
Convenience, flexibility and affordability.
Merrimack designed its programs to serve working adults who are balancing graduate education with full-time employment. Many courses (and some entire programs) are available online, and most in-person classes are scheduled for evening hours. We also offer reasonable tuition and generous scholarship and fellowship packages, making our programs affordable on any budget.
Explore Our Graduate Programs in Education, Community Engagement and Criminal Justice
The Merrimack College Winston School of Education and Social Policy offers a broad range of graduate programs.
In the field of education, our master’s degrees and graduate certificates include:
- Master of Education in Higher Education
- Master of Education in School Counseling
- Master of Education in Teacher Education
- Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Educational Leadership
- Graduate Certificate in Catholic School Leadership
- Performance Assessment for Leaders (PAL) Preparation
- Teacher Education Licensure Preparation
We also offer social policy social work graduate programs in:
- Master of Education in Community Engagement
- Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Merrimack College Police Academy
- Graduate Certificate in Community-Based Nonprofit Leadership
- Master of Social Work
The School of Education and Social Policy attracts students from across the United States. You’ll belong to an inclusive community that embraces all individuals and elides social, cultural and racial boundaries.
Careers in Education, Community Engagement and Criminology/Criminal Justice
All of Merrimack’s graduate programs in education and criminal justice equip you to take the next step in your career.
Graduates of our master’s degree and certificate programs have an outstanding record of professional achievement, with near-perfect success rates in licensing exams and job placement. These outcomes reflect not only the high quality of Merrimack’s programs, but also the excellent job market within Massachusetts in K-12 education, higher education, nonprofits, criminal justice and criminology.
After completing our graduate programs, Merrimack students have gained employment with organizations such as:
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
- New York University
- Wellesley College
- Lesley University
- Northeastern University
- Haverhill Public Schools
- Andover Public Schools
- Beverly Public Schools
- Lynnfield Public Schools
- Massachusetts Department of Children and Families
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Scholarships and Fellowships
Learn how our full- and half-tuition fellowships and generous scholarships create affordable degrees in education and criminology/criminal justice.
How to Apply
Create your account to get started. The deadline to apply for the spring term is January 6.