The Master of Arts Degree in Education, Option in Social and Cultural Analysis of Education (SCA), focuses on the social and cultural analysis of education in urban and international contexts. Emphasizing critical approaches to education, including critical theory and critical pedagogy, the degree's interdisciplinary nature provides the intellectual rigor necessary for analyzing the relationship between education and society and effecting social and educational justice. SCA courses examine education in its historical, social and political contexts, and may be applied to all levels of education—locally, nationally, and internationally. After completion of the program, graduates have a variety of career choices, not only in the educational realm, but also in the private sector and in non-governmental organizations. The program also serves as an ideal foundation for further academic study at the doctoral level. Visit the program website for program details (www.ced.csulb.edu/academic/masters.cfm).
The following are required for admission to the program:
Candidates must apply separately to both the university and the program by posted deadlines. Applications should be submitted at the same time.
The application for Graduate Admission to the University is available online through CSUMentor (www.csumentor.edu). One complete set of official transcripts must be submitted with the university application. This set of transcripts will be used to determine grade point average eligibility. Failure to submit transcripts in a timely manner will result in a delayed review of the application.
A separate application to the Social and Cultural Analysis of Education program must be submitted to the College of Education Graduate Studies Office (ED1-7). An application and directions can be downloaded at www.ced.csulb.edu/graduate/application-packets. The program application does not require a set of transcripts.
Successful applicants are admitted to the program with Conditional admission status.
Students should advance to candidacy as early as possible. For advancement to candidacy (Clear Admission status), students must:
All students must complete thirty-three (33) units of upper-division and graduate level courses, of which twenty-one (21) units must be at the 500/600 level. Students who complete a master's thesis or project must enroll in six (6) additional units while completing the culminating experience. For all students, at least twenty-four (24) units must be completed in residency. With consent of the student's advisor and after following procedures for course equivalencies, students may count up to six (6) units of previously taken graduate courses toward the degree. A student who completes a thesis or project may potentially count up to nine (9) units of previously taken graduate courses toward the degree.
1. Core courses (6 units)
Complete the following:
2. Emphasis Area (9 units)
Take three courses in one area:
A. International Contexts:
B. Urban Contexts:
3. Second Emphasis Area (3 units)
Choose one course from the SCAE 566-568 series for international contexts or from the SCAE 560-562 series for urban contexts.
4. Electives (6 units)
Choose 2 courses in consultation with faculty advisor.
5. Research Methods Courses (6 units)
Take the following course:
Take one of the following courses:
6. Capstone Course (3 units)
Take the following course:
7. Culminating Experience. In consultation with faculty advisor, choose one of the following:
