Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

FURNISHED PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Education Management Corporation (the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012 (the “Report”), I, Edward H. West, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certify in such capacity, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: September 12, 2012

By:	/S/ EDWARD H. WEST
	Edward H. West
	President and Chief Executive Officer