Cultural Studies in Education
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Designed For
Students who are drawn to an interdisciplinary approach to understanding education and its broader social impact. It is especially well suited for individuals who want to explore how social, cultural, philosophical and historical forces shape educational systems, learning environments and the experiences of diverse communities.
Career Objective
Graduates of the program are prepared for impactful careers across education, community engagement and research settings. Many go on to become educators, curriculum specialists and faculty members who bring a nuanced understanding of cultural and ethnic diversity into classrooms and academic institutions. Others contribute to the field through roles in health research, nonprofit organizations, multicultural programs, and agencies focused on policy development or educational advocacy. The program also provides a strong foundation for students who intend to pursue advanced doctoral studies in cultural studies or related fields.
At a Glance
Program Starts: Fall
Deadline to Apply:
December 31
Length of Program: 24 months
Program Location: On campus
GRE Required? No
Discover Your Focus in Cultural Studies
The Cultural Studies master’s degree program equips students with a robust foundation in teaching, curriculum development, and multicultural education. Designed for those who want to deepen their understanding of how culture shapes learning, the program allows you to tailor your academic journey through specialized research opportunities, flexible elective pathways, and focused areas of study that align with your personal and professional interests. Whether you are preparing to advance in the field of education or seeking to engage in deeper research, Cultural Studies provides the structure and flexibility to support your goals.
Students can choose between two pathways:
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) – Ideal for practitioners seeking advanced coursework, this option emphasizes applied learning through a comprehensive selection of classes that strengthen your pedagogical and curricular expertise.
- Master of Arts (M.A.) – Designed for students interested in research, this option offers the choice of completing a three‑credit scholarly report paired with an additional course, or undertaking a six‑credit thesis for a more extensive research experience.
Program Area Coordinator
Keffrelyn Brown
Program Area Advisor
Noah De Lissovoy
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Stephen Flynn
Program Overview
Program Requirements
Basic Core Requirements (Minimum 9 credit hours)
Research Methodology Requirement (3 credit hours)
EDC 380R Educational Research and Design
Curriculum, Teaching & Learning Requirement (6 credit hours)
Students may select two courses from the following with the assistance of the area program advisor:
- EDC 381F Introduction to Teaching and Teacher Education
- EDC 383F Curriculum Theory
- EDC 384P Multicultural Education
- EDC 385G Cultural Knowledge of Teachers and Teaching
- EDC 385G Foundations of Curriculum
- EDC 385G Learning Theories: Instructional Implications
Specialization (15 credit hours)
Select a minimum of 9 credit hours from other curriculum and instruction programs to study the topics that are relevant to your work and as approved by your advisor:
CSE Program Area (9 credit hours)
Select 3 courses from the following:
- EDC 380F Sociocultural Foundations
- EDC 385G Advanced Multicultural Education
- EDC 380G Anthropology of Education
- EDC 385G Chicana Feminist Theorists
- EDC 385G Critical Pedagogy
- EDC 385G Cultural Knowledge of Teachers and Teaching
- EDC 385G Education in Contemporary Black America
- EDC 385G Explorations in the Education of the Mexican American Child
- EDC 385G Foundations of Curriculum
- EDC 385G Identity, Agency, and Education
- EDC 385G Race and Ethnic Relations in Schools
- EDC 392L Philosophical Foundations of Education
Specialization Electives (6 credit hours)
Choose an additional 2 courses in EDC. Consult with the CSE Graduate Advisor for course approval, or you may choose from the courses listed above.
Courses Out of Department (Minimum 6 credit hours)
CSE students are strongly encouraged to take courses outside the College of Education to fulfill this requirement. Suggested areas include:
- Mexican American Studies
- African and African Diaspora Studies,
- Asian and Asian American Studies
- Women and Gender Studies
- Anthropology
- Sociology
- History
- Latin American Studies
- Cultural Studies
- American Studies
Master of Education Requirements (6 credit hours)
Two additional electives
Master of Arts Requirements (6 hours)
Master of Arts with Report
- EDC 398R Report
- One additional elective (3 hours)
Master of Arts with Thesis
- EDC 698A Thesis: Research
- EDC 698B Thesis: Writing
Faculty
Expertise in the intersections between teaching, curriculum, and sociocultural knowledge and Black intellectual thought in education
Accepting new students
Racialization, language ideology, educational carcerality, place, (de)coloniality, abolitionism, community-based youthwork, Latine communities, ethnography, journey/trajectory mapping, critical policy-anchored analysis, and narrative inquiry
Examines effects of race, class and capital in schools and society; investigates and extends traditions of critical pedagogy and philosophy.
Accepting new students
Explores issues in race and culture in physical activity and sport as well as identity development patterns of African Americans.
Follows trends around cultural and racial identities, agency, migration, and social movements in education.
Additional Information
Let us know what your academic interests are within the College of Education and we’ll be in touch.
