American University School of Education and Noodle Partners celebrate first online graduation

USA - English

• USA - English

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The inaugural cohort of American University School of Education's online Masters in Education Policy and Leadership (EPL) program graduated this past weekend, May 11, 2019. This marks the premiere graduating class for the online EPL at AU and the first graduating cohort across all of Noodle Partners' programs.

American University joined forces with Noodle Partners in 2017 to bring their highly reputable Masters in Education Policy and Leadership program online. The program, designed for those looking to drive social change through policy, focuses on avenues to equitable education and increased access to quality learning environments.

The AU EPL was one of the first programs to launch in collaboration with Noodle Partners, and the partnership soon expanded to include both a MAT and EDD program. Noodle Partners has since added more than 30 programs and 15 additional universities to its roster.

Many of the soon-to-be graduates of the AU EPL program originate from Teach For America, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and City Year. Victoria Daniels, a member of the inaugural cohort, spent her undergraduate years at Howard University, and enrolled in the EPL program when she realized that her passion for inspiring students went beyond teaching.

"I started to realize the problem I wanted to solve was greater than any one classroom," Daniels said. "My real aim was educational reform— having a hand in reforming curricula and getting more programs that reinvigorate learners installed in schools, particularly in urban areas where the school-to-prison pipeline is strongest."

To date, graduates of the on-campus program have seen a vast array of career offerings upon graduation. Within six months of completing their programs, 97% of American University's Education in Policy and Leadership graduates are working, continuing their education, or both.

"Graduation is always exciting for our students in the School of Education. However, this graduation is a true milestone because it's our first graduating class of online masters students in education leadership," AU School of Education Dean Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy said.

The graduation marks a major success for Noodle Partners as well, as they work to pioneer a new model of public-private relationships in higher education. "Our first graduating class represents the power of access and equity for all. We are excited about their future and the impact they will make in their communities and beyond," AU School of Education Assistant Dean Julie Sara Boyd said.

"AU trusted us very early on to upend the conventional online program manager (OPM) model and built a program they could be extremely proud of, without us being an overbearing force," CEO of Noodle Partners, John Katzman said. "We are immensely grateful for their trust, and together we've built a really powerful program."

For enrollment inquiries please visit: soeonline.american.edu or email [email protected].

About American University's School of Education
AU's School of Education is committed to producing graduates with the skills and knowledge to create equitable and excellent learning environments for all students. AU faculty, including researchers and distinguished scholars, produce cutting-edge research, lead innovative partnerships and outreach, develop relevant and evidence-based coursework, and effect positive change in the most vulnerable communities, nationally and globally. Our graduates are ready for today's real-world education careers, with 100 percent of master's students from the on-campus programs employed six months after graduation. Graduates secure employment with school districts, charter schools, and organizations such as Teach for America, U. S. Department of Education, and The Smithsonian Institution. American University is a leader in global education, enrolling a diverse student body from throughout the United States and nearly 130 countries. Located in Washington, D.C., the university provides opportunities for academic excellence, public service, and internships in the nation's capital and around the world.

About Noodle Partners
Founded by a team of education and technology veterans, Noodle Partners creates innovative online and hybrid programs while improving traditional classroom models. Noodle Partners has the capability to work with universities on every aspect of building a certificate or degree program that they choose—marketing, student recruitment, enrollment, curriculum design, student engagement, support services, graduate placement, and alumni engagement—and provides a high level of fit and finish. For more information, visit noodlepartners.com or follow us on Twitter @Noodle_Partners or LinkedIn.

SOURCE American University’s School of Education