Cultural Foundations - M.A.

The Master of Arts degree in Cultural Foundations explores education through a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives: philosophy of education, history of education, sociology of education, comparative/international education, anthropology of education, gender studies, multicultural studies and religious studies. Our courses examine the social contexts of education, with particular emphasis on structural inequalities, issues of access and the distribution of educational opportunity, normative considerations about the purposes of education, and the transformative potential of education. Students in the M.A. program write a thesis on an educational topic of their own choosing. Thesis students work closely with their academic supervisor to generate a thesis topic and design a research study or undertake a scholarly analysis of an issue of particular interest to the student. Our students see themselves as change agents in a range of educational settings: schools, cultural and religious institutions, civic associations and other organizations. Graduates of the program have the knowledge and skills to interpret and critique educational policies and practices and to promote innovative practices in a variety educational settings.

• official transcript(s)
• statement of purpose
• two letters of recommendation

English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 550 TOEFL score (79 on the Internet-based version), minimum 77 MELAB score, minimum 6.5 IELTS score or minimum 58 PTE Academic score. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website. Effective spring 2018.

Applicants will be assessed holistically, considering academic credentials, related professional experience, academic or professional references, scholarly activities and professional activities, among others. For more information about graduate admission, please visit the Graduate Studies website.

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the social, cultural, economic and political assumptions shaping educational policies and reforms in the United States and other societies.
2. Understand the nature of the democratic challenge for schooling in answering such foundational questions as:  "What should be taught?" "Who should be taught?" and "Who should teach?"
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the convergence of social class, race, gender, and disability as barriers to and opportunities for educational change.

Minimum 18 credit hours must be in the major. Students have six years from the term of first enrollment to complete the program.