Educational Culture, Policy, and Society EdM

Our master’s program in educational culture, policy and society is for you if you wish to explore the role that education (P-16+) plays in the larger society. You will learn how institutions, policies and practices facilitate and/or limit individuals’ well-being and social, economic and educational outcomes. In this three-semester program, you will study education in broad-based social, cultural, political and historical contexts in the United States and other nations. Attention will be directed toward studying the educational policies and practices of underserved populations, including but not limited to historically marginalized racial/ethnic groups in the United States (e.g., African American, Latino/a and non-proficient English speakers) and populations with limited financial resources. You will also explore gender disparities in education, social and economic opportunities, and unequal outcomes in the global context. You will have the opportunity to focus on cross-national differences in education policies and practices.

Required Core (6 credits)

Choose 1 course from each category:

Category I - Sociological Foundations of Education

ELP 548SEM - Foundations of Education Credits: 3
ELP 585SEM - Sociological Bases of Education Credits: 3
ELP 586SEM - Read Urban Ethnographies Credits: 3
ELP 589SEM - Education and Socialization Credits: 3
ELP 590SEM - Education and Social Stratification Credits: 3
ELP 620SEM - Educational Transitions P-20 Credits: 3

Category II - Global and Comparative Emphasis

ELP 511SEM - Comparative Higher Education Credits: 3
ELP 566SEM - Comparative and Global Studies in Education Credits: 3
ELP 574SEM - Education in Asia Credits: 3
ELP 575SEM - Education & Globalization Credits: 3

Electives (24 credits)

Besides the core ELP courses, students have the flexibility to design their curricular pathways by choosing coursework, with their advisor’s approval, from GSE or other departments such as (but not limited to) the following:

APY 521SEM - Language, Culture, and Power Credits: 3
APY 575SEM - Cultural Anthropology Topics Credits: 3
CEP 500LEC - Fundamentals of Educational Research Credits: 3
HIS 526SEM - Role of City in Amer Hist Credits: 3
SOC 525SEM - Race & Ethnicity Credits: 3
SOC 613SEM - Sociology of Gender Credits: 3
SOC 615SEM - Sociology of Immigration Credits: 3

Culminating Experience: Project (2 credits)

ELP 700TUT - Individual Guidance of the Project Credits: 1 - 12

Total Credit Hours: 32

3.0 Degree GPA required

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1) Be able to identify the major research methods used by sociologists, compare and contrast the utility and relevance of a range of methods to the study of different social issues, and apply some basic research methods to the analysis of social issues.

2) Obtain knowledge of basic social science statistical methods and be able to conduct basic statistical analysis.

3) Be able to describe the significance of social theory to society, compare and contrast basic theoretical orientations, and apply some basic theories to social issues

4) Be able to critically examine the social factors-i.e., social institutions, policies, practices, norms, and beliefs-that shape major realms of human life. The specific realms examined (e.g., family, criminal justice, health, etc.) may differ based on student interest, but regardless of substantive area, students should be able to examine society through a sociological lens.

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).