Social Foundations of Education, M.S.

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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):

EPS 7990 - Master’s Thesis 1 to 6 Credit Hours

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

Required (6):

EPS 7991 - Master’s Project 1 to 6 Credit Hours
Select one course with the EPSF prefix 3 Hours

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):

EPSF 7100 - Critical Pedagogy 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 7110 - Multicultural Education 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 7120 - Social and Cultural Foundations of Education 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 7450 - Curriculum Foundations for the Educational Leader 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 7500 - Understanding Minority Serving Institutions 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8010 - Cultural Studies in Education: Film 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8040 - Cultural Studies in Education: Gender 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8260 - Sociology of Inner-City Children 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8270 - Philosophy of Education 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8280 - Anthropology of Education 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8310 - Sociology of Education 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8320 - Politics and Policy in Education 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8330 - Globalization and Education Policy 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8340 - History of American Education 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8350 - Comparative Educational Systems 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8360 - History and Politics of Curriculum 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8440 - Curriculum Design and Analysis 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8630 - Critical Policy Studies 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8640 - Critical Race Theory and Urban Education 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8820 - Policy in Teaching and Teacher Education 3 Credit Hours
Other courses may be selected with approval of advisor.

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.

Social Foundations of Education, M.S.

Advisory Committee

Degree Requirements

Professional Studies (15 Hours)

Select One (3 Hours)

Select One (3 Hours)

Select One (3 Hours)

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

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

Major (15 Hours)

Electives (6 Hours)

Program Total: Minimum of 36 Semester Hours