Master of Arts in Education: Concentration in Equity and Social Justice in Education

Graduate Advisors: Dr. Doris Flowers, Dr. Ming-yeh Lee

Last Admit Term: Spring 2023

The Master's Degree Program in Equity and Social Justice addresses current issues centered around race, ethnicity, culture, language, disability, gender, and sexual orientation in education. The program focuses on the theoretical, historical, and political perspectives of race, class, gender, and language as they apply to the theory and practice of education. In so doing, equity and social justice become key end goals for the educational process. The Master's Degree in Equity and Social Justice Education is an inclusive program.  Graduates of this Master's degree program work in public school systems, colleges and universities, non-profit and public service organizations, and for-profit business settings.

Admission to the Program

Entry into the Master’s Degree Program in Equity and Social Justice is open to applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a 3.0 grade point average in the last 60 units of college coursework. Prospective students must submit a CSU Graduate Application, including a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and transcripts from outside universities. A faculty committee reviews applications for admission on a regular basis. Students are admitted in both fall and spring semesters.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One

During the first semester in a program and before filing Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) form, each student must demonstrate graduate-level English writing ability. If remedial work is necessary, the student shall be expected to complete prescribed courses in English, or other corrective work, at a level acceptable to the department.

Level Two

The second assessment occurs within the Culminating Experience course (i.e., either ISED 895 or ISED 898) and by the time an ATC is approved and filed.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the M.A. program with concentration in equity and social justice in education, students will be able to:

  1. Critically analyze and employ theoretical concepts in critical race theory, critical theory, Afrocentric theory, Asian centered theory, womanist, postmodernist and humanistic paradigms.
  2. Develop practical activities that demonstrate an understanding of the aforementioned theoretical frameworks critical perspective on these issues as they relate to equity and social justice education.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of how the theories and practices impact their professional, political, personal, social( e.g., community organizations, schools, government and corporate settings, etc.).
  4. Through the culminating experience, students demonstrate an understanding of how to conduct research (that is through the development of a research methodology, construction of research question, data analysis, findings, results and conclusions).

Enrollment Requirement

Graduate students have the semester they enroll in the culminating experience course and the following semester to complete their degree requirements. Those who need time beyond the two semesters to complete the culminating experience requirement must enroll in a zero-unit designated College of Professional & Global Education course every subsequent semester until the requirement is completed.

Contact

For more information, please call the department at (415) 338-1653, email us at elsit@sfsu.edu, or visit us at Burk Hall 239.

Education (M.A.): Concentration in Equity and Social Justice in Education — 30 units

Core (18 units)

Select 18 units of the following:
ISED 715Race, Class, and Gender in Education Policy3
ISED 716The Intersection of Race and Language in Education3
ISED 717Foundations of Social Justice Education3
ISED 736Leadership and Policy for Community and Non-Formal Education3
ISED 738Critical Theories and Pedagogies3
ISED 739Education and Community Development: Equity and Diversity3
ISED 740Education & Globalization: Issues in Comparative and International Education3
ISED 747Culture, Language, and Society in Education3
ISED 748Culture, Cognition, and Power Issues in Education3

Research Methods (3 units)

ISED 797Seminar in Educational Research3

Electives on Advisement (6 units)

Electives may be selected from the courses above or from ethnic studies, women studies, or other related disciplines upon approval by the program advisor.

Culminating Experience (3 units)

ISED 895Field Study Project3
or ISED 898 Master's Thesis