Degree Title: Master of Education

Program Name and Number: Critical Studies in Educational Foundations - ME6227

Department/Unit: Department of Educational Studies

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Program Mission:  The Critical Studies in Education (CSE) Master’s program prepares graduates with the aim of developing a community of practitioners, scholars, educators, and researchers who are committed to working for lasting social change and justice through empowering education across their communities and nation and within the global context. Graduates will engage in the work of “praxis,” that is, explore how theoretical work informs our practice and how our practice informs our theoretical work in social justice and educational contexts.

Program Learning Objectives: The program prepares graduates with an in-depth understanding of the interaction between education and the larger culture, understanding the dynamics inherent in knowledge and learning processes, the development of communities for learning, and the use of critical democratic and alternative pedagogies for enhancing the flourishing of human lives.

• Gain theoretical understandings across several fields, including but not limited to, feminist and queer theory, critical race theory, critical social theory, diversity and co-culturalism, inclusive democratic theory, and critical and alternative pedagogies
• Develop the capacity to read, write and communicate at the graduate level with a critical and empowering perspective
• Synthesize academic concepts with the goal of engaging in “praxis” in educational contexts
• Understand that an educator as a “public intellectual” has an ethical responsibility to work towards meaningful and transformative social change in the pursuit of the ideals of a robust and inclusive democracy

Program Overview:  Critical Studies in Education is a field that draws perspectives from the humanities and social sciences in order to examine the study of education, both formal and informal. The program focuses on the ways culture, knowledge and power shape education and learning in the human community. Education occurs in many contexts as we engage in formal preK – 12 and higher education, as well as informally based community, social service and non-governmental organization educational endeavors.  The program is multidisciplinary and offers analytic and narrative perspectives on the philosophical, historical, socio-economic, political and cultural dynamics that impact education and learning. The goal of the program is to assist in the development of citizens who, in their various roles, are committed to be change agents that work to increase social justice across their communities, nations and world. Critical Studies in Education is intellectually and culturally diverse, encouraging students to reflect, think critically, and act with conviction. The program is centered around coursework focusing on the history, philosophy, and sociology of education, diversity studies in education, gender studies, as well as democratic, empowering, critical and alternative pedagogies. This is undertaken within the framework of critical and narrative social theories. Because education occurs in every context of human life and is not a neutral endeavor, the need to examine how, why and what we teach and learn is a complex, but necessary undertaking.

Concentrations:  The Critical Studies in Education master’s degree does not have separate academic concentrations. Rather, students select a thematic focus that guides their choices of elective coursework. Students are encouraged to take courses in other departments and colleges in order to prepare themselves in the specific educational context in which they hope to work, be it preK-12, higher education, or within various social justice and/or social service organizations.

Opportunities for Graduates: CSE graduates utilize the M.Ed. degree for multiple purposes. These include, but are not limited to:

• Preparation for doctoral programs
• Enhancement of preK-12 educators’ understanding of how social issues impact learning and how to address diversity, bullying, and the social-emotional climate of schools
• Service in community-based or non-governmental organizations in educational outreach programs
• Work in capacities that address social justice in a variety of settings
• Prepare for international and domestic development education and social justice work

Link to Program: http://www.ohio.edu/education/academic-programs/educational-studies/cultural-studies/index.cfm

Graduation Requirements:

1. Complete a minimum of 33 semester hours of coursework including a core curriculum, interdisciplinary and core electives, and preparation in research methodology
2. Undertake one’s studies as a scholar who is “serious, sincere, and committed”
3. Complete a final master’s degree cumulative project/paper or thesis
4. The CSE program takes on average three to four semesters to complete as a full-time student

Admission Requirements: Applicants for the Critical Studies in Education Master’s degree program should note the following admission criteria: 

1. CSE accepts rolling admissions (each semester) although prefers a Fall Semester start date. 
2. A GRE score is not required for admission to the CSE M.Ed. program.
3. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree must meet and provide evidence of the following criteria:  
   1. Completed Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (or equivalent), 
   2. Overall 2.90 gpa from undergraduate degree, OR 3.25 gpa from the final 90 quarter hours or 60 semester hours of undergraduate work (Note: If applicant does not meet these minimum gpa requirements, they may be considered by meeting benchmark scores on the GRE). 
   3. Official transcripts from every institution of higher education attended (regardless of whether final Bachelor’s degree was awarded from that institution), 
   4. Three (3) letters of recommendation from previous faculty or professional colleagues who can speak to the academic potential of the applicant to engage in and complete academic work at the graduate level, 
   5. A 3 - 5 page autobiographical statement addressing the following:
      1. relevant personal and professional information and experience
      2. why the applicant wants to study in the CSE program
      3. what the applicant hopes to gain from study in the CSE program, and
      4. how the applicant sees the CSE Master’s degree complementing future outcomes and professional goals.