Elements of Masters Degree in Historical, Philosophical and Social Foundations of Education

The master’s in Foundations of Education is a 30 hour thesis degree.

1. Students take a major concentration of courses related to the history, philosophy and sociology of education, with the advice of a faculty advisor and an advisory committee. Such courses should offer an opportunity for students to focus on a variety of theoretical and research-based questions. A minimum of 10 hours of coursework is required in the major concentration.
2. Other aspects of the program are flexible. A minimum of 6 credit hours must be taken outside of the ELPS Department, although students typically take more than this. In particular students are urged to take coursework outside of the school of education, in conjunction with the principal foundations field (history, philosophy or sociology) that they are interested in. A course in educational research (PRE 715) is also required.
3. A typical masters program in Foundations of Education thus will entail approximately 10 graduate courses, depending on the configuration of credit hours in the coursework and the student’s prior record (up to 6 hours of appropriate graduate coursework may be transferred). Upon successful completion of coursework, focused thesis work begins.
4. School of Education and Graduate Studies rules regarding the master’s thesis, a thesis advisory committee, preparation of the thesis, and the thesis defense are observed in the Foundations program. The student’s thesis committee will include the major advisor and at least two other faculty members, with one member representing the minor area.

Summary of principal program elements:

Foundations Coursework—At least 10 credit hours (typically 12 hours or 4 courses)
Additional Coursework—typically 12 credit hours (4 courses, at least one of which is outside of ELPS)
Education Research Methods Coursework—3 credit hours (PRE 715 is required of all master’s students and can count as one of the courses outside of ELPS)
Thesis research—3 credit hours
Thesis Defense