Master's Program - Sociology of Education

The M.A. program in sociology of education expands curricular opportunities for students by specifying two areas of study: Social and Cultural Studies of Education and Education Policy. Education Policy optimally prepares students to embark on careers as professional educational researchers in a variety of settings.

All students take core courses in sociological research methods and theory as well as in the sociology of education. An important asset of the program is its flexibility. While all students take common core courses, they also select from two concentrations and, within each, develop expertise in a chosen field of specialization. Students tailor course selection and thesis research to their chosen topics of interest within one of the two area concentrations.

The research thesis is the central component of the program. All students design and carry out year-long, original research, thereby developing mastery in particular modes of inquiry as well as a specific substantive area.

Graduates of the master's program are well equipped to pursue careers in research, evaluation, and policy organizations; government agencies; and youth and community service organizations.

The program makes extensive use of course offerings beyond the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, particularly those of NYU’s nationally ranked Department of Sociology (Graduate School of Arts and Science) and in the Wagner School of Public Service.

Course of Study

The program consists of a total of 40 credits, of which about half are required core and methods courses; 6 are devoted to completion of a two-semester thesis program, and the balance are composed of a mix of electives and additional required courses as determined by the students’ choice of concentration.

Core: 12 credits

E20.2002 Introduction to the Sociology of Education (3 credits)
E20.2325 The Learning of Culture (3 credits)
E10.2132 Principles of Empirical Research (3 credits)
E20.3030 Classical Social Theory (3 credits)

Research Methods: 6-8 credits

A minimum of two of the following, chosen in consultation with an advisor:

E10.2001 Educational Statistics I (3 credits)
E10.2002 Educational Statistics II (3 credits)
E10.2132 Principles of Empirical Research (3 credits)
G93.2309 Survey Design and Conduct (4 credits)
G93.2303 Qualitative Research: Ethnography (4 credits)
G93.2332 Introduction to Quantitative Methodology (4 credits)

Thesis: 3 credits

E20.2510 Thesis Seminar I (3 credits)
E20.2511 Thesis Seminar II (3 credits)

The Thesis Seminar course is taken during the second or third semesters of tenure in the program. Some students may take two terms of the seminar. Each is organized as an intensive workshop. Students develop detailed proposals for their thesis research, obtain IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval (when applicable), and commence thesis work. Students regularly consult with a faculty member as their project develops, and develop strong collegial relations with their fellow thesis-writers. Throughout the tenure of their thesis work, students are expected to consult with faculty in HMSS and GSAS Sociology who have relevant expertise in appropriate fields of research specialization.

Area of Concentration: 17 credits

In addition to the above requirements, students choose from one of two concentrations. Course requirements for the two concentrations are outlined on the following pages.

Concentration I: Social and Cultural Studies of Education

This concentration accommodates a wide range of social-science approaches to the study of education. Students choose this concentration in order to pursue educational inquiry with a focus tailored to their own interests. Students may wish, for example, to focus their study on racial or gender sexual identity and politics in education, the role of media and new technologies in schools, or the relationship between schools and other social systems such as the family or the nation-state.

Students in this concentration complete the credit requirements for their degree by assembling a series of electives, in consultation with their advisor, that are thematically linked. Among the courses that are potentially relevant for students in this concentration are the following:

Frameworks

G93.2115 Contemporary Sociological Theory (4 credits)
G93.2137 Social Stratification and Inequality (4 credits)
G93.2153 Introduction to Social Movements (4 credits)
G93.2132 Large Scale Organizations (4 credits)
G93.2412 Sociology of Occupations (4 credits)
G93.2463 Urban Sociology (4 credits)
E20.2163 Sociology of Higher Education (3 credits)
E20.2371 Social Inequality and Education (3 credits)

History and Philosophy of Education

E55.2173 History of American Education and Sociology (3 credits
E55.2175 What are Schools For? Historical Perspectives (3 credits)
E55.2235 20th Century Educational Thought (3 credits)
E50.2011 Philosophy of Education: Social Foundations (3 credits)

Race and Education

E55.2174 History of American Education and Society: Race and Ethnicity (3 credits)
E98.2161 Diversity in Higher Education (3 credits)

Gender and Sexuality and Education

G93.2227 Sociology of Sex and Gender (4 credits)
G93.2451 Sociology of the Family (4 credits)
E63.1110 Sexual Identities Across the Life-span (3 credits)
E63.2894 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered People: Perspectives (3 credits)
E63.2104 Psychology of Women: A Social-Psychological Approach

Cultural Studies and Education

E38.2151 Integrating Media Education in School and Community Work (3 credits)
E38.2570 Communication and Media in the Life and Education of the Young (3 credits)
E21.2055 Communication Process: Gender, Race, and Cultural Identity (3 credits)
E20.2325 The Learning of Culture (3 credits)

International Education

E53.2025 Comparative Studies of Socialization (3 credits)
E53.2083 International Education (3 credits)

Concentration 2: Education Policy

Combining courses from several Departments and Schools at the University, this concentration prepares students for careers in education policy formation and evaluation.

In addition to the required courses listed above, students in the Education Policy concentration are required to take an additional course, E10.2155, Economic Analysis for Education Policy. Students also may choose, in consultation with their advisor, a course from the following:

G93.2312 Advanced Multivariate Statistics (4 credits)
G93.2314 Longitudinal Statistics (4 credits)
E10.2081 Advanced Quantitative Methods I (3 credits)
B90.2301 Regression and Multivariate Data Analysis (3 credits)

Students in this concentration also are strongly encouraged to choose one of the following electives offered in the Wagner School of Public Policy:

P11.2418 Policy Issues in Primary and Secondary Education (4 credits)
P11.2441 Economics of Educational Policy and Finance (4 credits)

Students complete credit toward their degree by selecting coursework that enable them to develop expertise in a particular substantive area. In consultation with their advisor, students may choose to select such courses as:

G93.2115 Contemporary Sociological Theory (4 credits)
G93.2137 Social Stratification and Inequality (4 credits)
G93.2153 Introduction to Social Movements (4 credits)
G93.2132 Large Scale Organizations (4 credits)
G93.2412 Sociology of Occupations (4 credits)
G93.2463 Urban Sociology (4 credits)
G53.2371 Public Policy (4 credits)

E20.2163 Sociology of Higher Education (3 credits)
E20.2372 Social Inequality and Education (3 credits)
E20.2090 Planned Change in Organizational Settings (3 credits)
E55.2070 Public Problems: Educational and Social Policy (3 credits)
E65.2367 Demographic Analysis and Long-Range Educational Planning (3 credits)
E65.3005 Educational Policy Analysis (3 credits)
E27.2132 Evaluation of Educational Programs (3 credits)

P11.2445 Urban Poverty (4 credits)
P11.2620 Race and Class in American Cities (4 credits)

Financial Aid

Steinhardt offers many forms of financial aid for graduate study. Also, from time to time a graduate assistantship is available through the Department and Program. Inquiries about such positions should be made directly to the Program.