Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Social Foundations of Education, M.S.


Return to: 4140 Department of Educational Policy Studies  

Social foundations of education is a broadly conceived field of educational study that derives its character from a number of academic disciplines and interdisciplinary studies. At Georgia State University, the disciplines involved in social foundations inquiry are history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and political science; the interdisciplinary field is cultural studies. The purpose of social foundations study is to bring intellectual resources derived from these areas to bear in developing interpretive, normative, and critical perspectives on education, both inside of and outside of schools. 

Advisory Committee

A master’s advising committee of three faculty members guides each student’s study for the M.S. degree in Social Foundations of Education in the Department of Educational Policy Studies. One member of the Social Foundations faculty should be selected as the chair of the committee. The students and the chair will select two other members for the committee, at least one of who must be a member of the Social Foundations faculty. The committee is responsible for planning the program of study and for directing master’s thesis research or master’s projects. During the last academic term of coursework, each student will be required to complete an oral examination. The candidate’s committee will administer the examination, which is not to exceed two hours.

Degree Requirements


Professional Studies (15 Hours)


For Students Completing A Master’s Thesis (6 Hours)


Required (6):

For Students Completing A Master’s Project (6 Hours)


Required (6):

Major (15 Hours)


Taking a minimum of 15 semester hours of coursework from the social foundations offerings fulfills the major in social foundations of education. Majors may represent the disciplines of history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and political science and the interdisciplinary field of cultural studies. Students should select any courses with the EPSF prefix, at the 7000 or 8000 level.

Courses in other program areas in the Department of Educational Policy Studies or other courses in the college or university may also be appropriate to include as part of the major with approval from the students’ advisory committee.

Select five (15):

Electives (6 Hours)


The elective requirement is fulfilled by taking a minimum of 6 semester hours chosen from graduate courses in other program areas, departments, and/or colleges in the university.

Program Total: Minimum of 36 Semester Hours