Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Cultural Foundations engages students in analyzing the dynamic historical, social, cultural, economic and political contexts of education in and out of school from normative, interpretive and critical perspectives. Students also examine the philosophical, ethical, social and cultural dimensions of education and develop expertise in the range of social science and humanities-oriented research methods and modes of analysis in the field of social foundations of education.

Students in the doctoral program work closely with faculty to apply their learning to their areas of professional and personal interest, generating dissertation projects that make a contribution to original knowledge in the field as well as the intellectual and organizational aspects of their professions, organizations and communities.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 3.500 graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Goal statement that describes applicants' educational background, their motivation for pursuing a doctorate in the cultural foundations of education, how they learned about this program and how they think this program will help them pursue their goals
• Two letters of recommendation, one of which should be from a former instructor if possible
• Writing sample (starting with spring 2027 admission term, writing sample is no longer required)
• Interview
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

Applicants will be assessed holistically, considering academic credentials, related professional experience, academic or professional references, scholarly activities and professional activities, among others.

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: March 15
• Spring Semester
  • Priority deadline: October 15
• Summer Term
  • Priority deadline: February 1

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Analyze the dynamic historical, social, cultural, economic and political contexts of education in and out of school from normative, interpretive and critical perspectives.
2. Examine the philosophical, ethical, social and cultural dimensions of education.
3. Develop expertise in the range of social science and humanities-oriented research methods and modes of analysis in the field of social foundations of education.
4. Conduct independent research that makes a contribution to original knowledge in the field as well as the intellectual and organizational aspects of their professions, schools and communities.

• Delivery:
  • Mostly online
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Full Description

The Master of Education degree in Cultural Foundations engages students in the exploration of education through a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives from the humanities and social sciences. Students examine the social contexts of education with particular emphasis on structural inequities; issues of access and the distribution of educational opportunity; normative considerations about the purposes of education; and the transformative potential of education. Students learn to use these perspectives to identify problems of practice through their work as educators and leaders in communities, cultural organizations and educational organizations. To address these problems of practice, students learn to conduct community-engaged inquiry in partnership with stakeholders and communities.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 1ELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

Applicants will be assessed holistically, considering academic credentials, related professional experience, academic or professional references, scholarly activities and professional activities, among others.

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Use perspectives from the sociocultural foundations of education to identify and explore problems of practice.
2. Lead community-engaged inquiry to address problems of practice collaboratively in partnership with diverse communities and with local cultural and educational organizations.
3. Enact commitments to equity and social justice through work as scholarly practitioners, educators and leaders.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

• Delivery:
  • Fully online
  • Mostly online
• Location:
  • Kent Campus