The Master's degree in Education and Social Policy offered at the University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences provides graduate students a 30 credit hour program, culminating with a capstone project.  The program permits students to complete a variety of courses, focusing on foundational questions and applications such as:

• How has the present educational system developed, in the U.S. and worldwide?
• How do poverty and inequality affect the school performance of children?
• What knowledge should schools aim to impart?
• How can education help achieve a more just, democratic, and multicultural society?
• What are the ethical responsibilities of teachers and other educators in an unequal and changing society?
• What are the competing purposes of education, and how do we make choices among them?

As a field of study, Education and Social Policy is also known as Social Foundations of Education at some institutions.  At KU, this master’s level degree program offers an individualized student experience that addresses big questions in education, such as inequality, multiculturalism and social justice – and can be completed in less than two calendar years.  The program is designed for full-time and part-time graduate students.  Graduate students enrolled in the program can expect to:

• Increase their knowledge and ability to assess problems in contemporary education, particularly concerning questions of inequity, multiculturalism, and social justice.
• Apply knowledge from a diverse array of courses and departmental perspectives including sociology, philosophy, history, political science, and more.
• Examine problems in curriculum and learning, especially around questions of language and culture.
• Gain understanding of schooling & develop an appreciation of the political, economic, and social forces that influence the decisions of educational leaders.
• Share in-depth analyses and discussions of theory for application to real-world experiences in classes and other settings.
• Complete a capstone project during their final semester demonstrating competencies in social and cultural dimensions of education.

Graduate Admission requirements:

Applicants for the 3 master’s programs, education and social policy, educational administration, and higher education administration, must submit the following materials (Please check the departmental website or program advisor for additional information and application deadlines):

1. A completed Graduate application.
2. 1 official transcript from each post-secondary collegiate institution attended.
3. Completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or a foreign university with substantially equivalent bachelor’s degree requirements.
4. Statement of purpose with relevance of degree to career aspirations.
5. A vita or resume.
6. Letters of recommendations or names of references (review specific requirements on the application)
7. Proof of English proficiency, for non-native English speakers.  Visit https://gradapply.ku.edu/english-requirements for further details.

See the application for specific admissions requirements for the master's concentrations.

Education and Social Policy

A sample program plan is provided below (Electives should be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor):

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
EPSY 715	Understanding Research in Education	3
ELPS 757	Education in American Society	3
or an ELPS History Class
ELPS 830	Foundations of Multicultural Education	3
or ELPS 782	Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education
or C&T 807	Multicultural Education
or ELPS 960	Leading Diverse Communities
ELPS Class on Education Policy/Social Science Research		3
ELPS or Non-ELPS Law or Policy Class		3
ELPS Elective		3
Non-ELPS Elective		3
Flexible Elective 1		3
Flexible Elective 2		3

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
PROJECT - Additional Requirements
ELPS 898	Master's Project	3
Project Defense
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS:		30

Capstone Project: Students will select one of two options for a capstone project:

Policy report.. The policy report option gives students an artifact they can use on the job market. The report will analyze a contemporary educational policy issue and may include policy origin, intended objectives, surrounding debates, potential outcomes, unintended consequences, and other policy features.

Online portfolio. The online portfolio option allows students to create a portfolio of their learnings in the master’s program. The online portfolio may include a page for curriculum vitae, research, teaching and learning, service, and other educational projects.