Curriculum

The Master of Arts in Cultural and Educational Policy Studies requires 30 credit hours of coursework and a thesis. Students select a specialization in Comparative and International Education, History of Education, Sociology of Education, or Philosophy of Education.

Required Coursework

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Select Three Courses in Major Area 1		9
Select Two from Outside the Major Area		6
ELPS 410	Sociology of Education
ELPS 420	Philosophy of Education
ELPS 444	American Schooling and Social Policy: A Historical Perspective
ELPS 455	Comparative Education
RMTD 400	Introduction to Research Methodology	3
Select Four Electives		12
ELPS 595	Thesis Supervision	0
Total Hours		30

¹

At least one course in Major Area must be at introductory level (ELPS 410 Sociology of Education, ELPS 420 Philosophy of Education, ELPS 444 American Schooling and Social Policy: A Historical Perspective, or ELPS 455 Comparative Education).

²

Two courses are selected in consultation with the advisor in order to customize the course of study to the student’s particular interests and needs. Commonly, students take additional research methods courses (eg RMTD 404 Introduction to Educational Statistics or RMTD 420 Educational Research I: Building a Body of Evidence With Qualitative Method. However, electives may also be taken in other areas of the School of Education and, if appropriate, in other areas of the university as well.

Thesis

The MA thesis is the final requirement for the degree and will make a noteworthy, original contribution to current research knowledge and understanding of an educational issue or question that falls within the social foundations of education. A typical CEPS MA thesis is in the realm of 30-50 double-spaced pages (excluding references) and may eventually be revised and reworked to be submitted for publication as a book chapter or journal article.

Responsible Conduct of Research

All PhD students and students in thesis-based Master's degree programs must successfully complete UNIV 370 Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship or other approved coursework in responsible conduct of research as part of the degree requirements. It is strongly recommended that students complete this two-day training before beginning the dissertation/thesis stage of the program.

Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations

Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.