The Social Foundations in Education (SFE) concentration of the PhD program in Policy Studies in Urban Education allows students to pursue a program of study that focuses on the social, cultural, political, economic and global contexts of education, particularly for urban schools. Students will have the opportunity to engage in critical, activist scholarship on diversity, equity and social justice in education. Coursework and research will equip students to conduct research from theoretical perspectives drawn from the broad field of Social Foundations.

This focused, yet flexible program allows students to pursue their interests related to how the social, cultural and political contexts of urban areas affect educational opportunities, especially for underrepresented and low-income children and youth. The program also focuses on change, education policy, and policy processes and their role in educational learning opportunities and outcomes.

Overall: 100 semester hours of coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree, or 68 semester hours beyond the master’s degree, including the dissertation.

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