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Curriculum

MA, Specialized Studies in Education

Not Accepting Applications

To best meet the needs of our students, we have decided to suspend applications for admission to the MA in Specialized Studies in Education while we undertake a program review. Please check back in September 2025.

The 30-credit MA in Specialized Studies in Education offers extensive training in contemporary political, economic, historical, and social theories of teaching and learning, equipping you to intervene creatively into complex educational problems outside of traditional classroom settings. 

Core Course Sequence

You’ll take coursework in educational foundations, specializing in areas like sociology, history, philosophy or politics of education; inquiries into teaching and learning; educational or development psychology; and learning sciences. Classes in social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion offer advanced discussion of disabilities education; educational advocacy; cross-cultural learning; bilingual and multilingual education; urban education; and human rights education. The program culminates in an integrative action research project, design study, or synthesis/analysis paper.

Program Requirements

Course Title Credits
Required Courses
Core Curriculum
Educational Foundations 13
Social Justice/Diversity/Equity/Inclusion 23
Additional Requirements
Other Elective Credits 324
Total Credits30
1

Chosen by advisement from such areas as sociology, history, philosophy or politics of education; inquiries into teaching and learning; educational or development psychology; learning sciences, and other relevant fields.

2

Chosen by advisement from such areas as disabilities education; educational advocacy; cross-cultural learning; bilingual and multilingual education; urban education; human rights education, and other fields.

3

Electives by advisement taken to create an interdisciplinary program of study or to focus on a particular area of study; may include internships and/or independent study. Strongly encouraged to take at least one course in conducting research in educational settings.

Additional Program Requirements

Culminating Experience

An integrative master's project: action research project, design study, or a paper synthesizing and analyzing prior research in the student's chosen field of study or focus.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
Educational Foundations course 3
Social Justice/Diversity/Equity/Inclusion course 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits12
2nd Semester/Term
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits9
3rd Semester/Term
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits9
 Total Credits30