M.A. in Cultural and Educational Policy Studies
Benefits
- The M.A. degree program in Cultural and Educational Policy Studies attracts students from around the world, providing students and faculty with a culturally diverse educational experience.
- Students pursuing the M.A. degree and working in educational settings find immediate practical applications for theory learned in their courses.
- Courses offered in the evenings and occasionally on Saturday mornings to accommodate students with full-time jobs in educational settings.
Degree Requirements
Total Hours: 24
Practicum: None
Comprehensive: None
Thesis: Required
Length of the Program: Assuming that a student enrolls in two courses each term and also in the summer, the coursework for the program can be completed in one-and-a-half years. The completion of the thesis depends both on the topic and the diligence of the student. Students have five years from acceptance to complete the program. (See GA&S Policy: Time Limit for Completion of Degree Requirements)
Curriculum Plan: Completion of the M.A. degree program requires 24 semester hours, a thesis and an oral defense of the thesis.
Technology Expectation
All students are provided Internet access to link electronically to classmates, faculty and student services. In order to use these technological resources, all students must have the computer skills necessary to support academic work (i.e., word processing, PowerPoint) and to access e-mail and the Internet.
Continuous Enrollments
Master's students in cultural and educational policy studies are required to maintain the status of continuous enrollment during their program of studies. (See GA&S Policy: Academic Standing - Continuous Registration) This means that during each semester of each academic year (excluding Summer Sessions), each student must do one of the following:
- Enroll in one of the following:
- At least one course
- ELPS 605 - Master's Studies
- ELPS 595 - Thesis Supervision
- A formal leave of absence may be granted upon request and the approval of the Graduate School's Associate Dean.
Research Methods Course (3 semester hours)
- RMTD 400 Research Methods in the Social Sciences
Foundation Courses (6 semester hours)
Choose two from the following outside major area:
- ELPS 410 Sociological Foundations
- ELPS 420 Philosophy of Education
- ELPS 444 American Schooling and Social Policy
- ELPS 455 Comparative Education
- ELPS 446 Historical Foundations of Western Education*
* Available as a foundation option for those admitted prior to Spring 2008.
Major Area (9 semester hours)
Students should consult with their academic advisor for course selection in one of the following areas: Comparative and International Education, History of Education, Sociology of Education, or Philosophy of Education.
Elective (6 semester hours)
In consultation with an advisor, the student chooses two elective courses.
Thesis and Oral Defense
Students select a topic with their academic advisor for a culminating research paper/project.
Degree Conferral
While the commencement ceremony is every May, degrees can be conferred May, August, and December. Students must apply for graduation/degree conferral. Students should apply for graduation in the semester they anticipate completing all degree requirements. Failure to meet application deadlines may result in a delay of the conferral of the degree to the following semester. Applications for Degree Conferral are due:
- August 1 for December conferral
- December 1 for May or August conferral
Please note the degree conferral application is valid for only one semester. If the degree is not conferred for the semester requested, a new application and fee are required for a subsequent semester.
