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Learning and Leading with Purpose

Our students, faculty, and community are committed to improving lives and transforming society.

SESP students become

We value interdisciplinary training and hands-on experiences.

Join us and explore all you can do.

Programs

Get to Know Us

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Since 1926, our school has been a close-knit community of students, faculty, and staff committed to improving lives. See what makes us special.

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Ranked Education School, U.S. News & World Report
Faculty members elected to the National Academy of Education
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Undergraduates employed or completing graduate school or fellowships after graduation
K+
Service hours provided to local communities through the Civic Education Project

Making an Impact

At SESP, we partner with the community to maximize the impact of our research findings. These collaborations allow us to test new ideas, develop better practices, and share discoveries to benefit as many people as possible.

Student walking in Chicago by train

Morton Schapiro Northwestern Academy for Chicago Public Schools

The Morton Schapiro Northwestern Academy for Chicago Public Schools enhances access and successful matriculation for academically motivated students. Thanks to the Academy, these talented individuals are on track to attend top-tier colleges and universities. To date, graduates have enrolled in more than 115 institutions, including Northwestern, Harvard, Yale, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Nichole Pinkard working with student

STEAMbassadors

STEAMbassadors trains college-bound 18 to 24-year-olds from under-resourced communities to work with youth in neighborhoods lacking learning opportunities and role models in computer science, engineering, and the arts. They are assigned to local organizations partnering with the Chicago Department of Family Support Services in parks, libraries, and schools to create an out-of-school learning ecosystem across the city.

Evanston Township High School Partnership Office

Northwestern-Evanston Township High School (ETHS) Partnership Office

The Northwestern/ETHS Partnership Office is part of the Good Neighbor, Great University Initiative, supported by Neighborhood and Community Relations and the Office of Community Education Partnerships in the School of Education and Social Policy. Northwestern has more than 100 significant partnerships with Evanston Township High School. This relationship spans disciplines, encompassing academics, athletics, health and wellness, identity and social consciousness, college and career education, cultural events, mentoring, the arts, and community engagement.

Featured News

News and Events

Carrie Tzou

Carrie Tzou Joins SESP Faculty

January 27, 2026 10:43 AM

Alumna Carrie Tzou (PhD08), whose career has focused on helping students and educators feel connected to science and place-based learning, has joined Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy as a professor of learning sciences and associate dean.

Block Associates

Undergrads Named Block Student Associates

January 19, 2026 5:02 PM

Undergraduates Keya Soni Chaudhuri and Symone Harris have been named to the 2025-2026 cohort of Block Museum Student Associates at Northwestern University.

James Spillane

Faculty Influence Recognized in Annual Rankings

January 13, 2026 10:28 AM

Four faculty members and an associated scholar with Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy were named to the 2025 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings for their work bringing research out of academic journals and into everyday life.

From Hong Kong to Evanston, Graduates Mark a Shared Journey

January 8, 2026 9:38 AM

Strength lies not in uniformity but in respectful diversity, graduate Zixin Ling said during convocation remarks for Northwestern University’s Master of Science in Social and Economic Policy program at the Ryan Family Auditorium.

Yin Elected to National Academy of Social Insurance

December 31, 2025 2:30 PM

Michelle Yin has been elected to the National Academy of Social Insurance, the nation’s leading nonpartisan organization focused on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, disability policy, and related issues in social insurance, workforce, and economic security.

Events

Feb
2
2026

IPR Colloq.: R. Seligman (IPR/Anthro.) - Gendered Disparities in Health: From Hysteria to Functional Neurological Disorder

12:00 PM Family Institute, 618 Library Place
Title: Gendered Disparities in Health: From Hysteria to Functional Neurological Disorder By Rebecca Seligman, Associate ...
Feb
4
2026

MS in Education and Social Policy Program Teaching Info Session

12:00 PM
Attend a livestreamed information session about the Master of Science in Education and Social Policy Program. Presentati...
Feb
5
2026

Leading Equity and Inclusion in Organizations Certificate Information Session

12:00 PM
Join Northwestern community members and student affairs staff for a virtual information session. During this information...
Feb
5
2026

Learning Sciences Brown Bag: Tax Incentives for Data Centers in Illinois – Good or Bad Policy?

12:30 PM Annenberg Hall, 2120 Campus Drive
Dr. Charles Logan and State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid will present for the Learning Sciences Brown Bag on Thursd...
Feb
9
2026

IPR Colloq.: L. Beaman (IPR/Econ.) - Sexual Harassment in Urban India: Prevalence and an Intervention

12:00 PM Chambers Hall, 600 Foster St
Title: Sexual Harassment in Urban India: Prevalence and an Intervention Abstract: TBA By Lori Beaman, Professor of Econo...
Feb
10
2026

Virtual Chat with current MSLOC Students

12:00 PM
Join a virtual chat with a current MSLOC student! This small group meeting gives you and other prospective students a ch...