UMass Amherst: Social Justice Education Concentration

Contact Information:

159 Hills South
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003

SD Office:
413-545-2231

Email:
Ximena Zúñiga, Concentraton Chair

Brenda Juarez, Graduate Admissions Chair

School of Education
Department of Student Development (SD)
Social Justice Education Concentration

Programs of Study

Social Justice Education (SJE) is an interdisciplinary graduate program of study with a focus on social diversity and social justice education particularly as they apply to a diverse range of K-12 and higher education systems. The masters program of study emphasizes the development of expertise in designing and facilitating SJE in K-16 settings. The doctoral program of study focuses on the extension of theory and research related to SJE across educational contexts.

Core Program of Study

Students enrolled in the SJE program take the following core courses.

Social Justice in Education (691E)

Contemporary and Historical Constructions of SJE (624)

Historical and Pedagogical Foundations of SJE (648)

Research and/or Evaluation of SJE

Curriculum Design and Facilitation in SJE (627)

Reflective Practice in SJE (691G—Masters only)

Research Pro-seminar (615B—Doctoral only)

6-12 credits of electives related to area of specialization

Focus Areas

By the end of their first year of study, students enrolled in the SJE program typically select one of three overlapping areas of specialization, each of which includes additional coursework and practicum options. Current areas of emphasis include:

SJE With Youth in Educational Settings

Students emphasizing this strand focus on issues of social justice and social justice education in K-12 schools. In addition to taking core courses in SJE, students take Educ 746 (SJE With Youth in Educational Settings) and Educ 693N (Practicum: SJE With Youth in Educational Settings) during their second year of study. Students may choose to extend their study through a third-year co-enrollment in one of UMass' teacher licensure programs.

SJE in Higher Education

Students emphasizing this strand focus on incorporating social justice education into their future work as university educators. In addition to taking core courses in SJE and Higher Education, students have opportunities for supervised practicum teaching undergraduates in various course and workshop settings.

Intergroup Dialogue

Students emphasizing this strand focus on intergroup dialogue as a method of promoting social justice. In addition to taking core courses in SJE, students will take Educ 795E (Theory, Research & Practice of Intergroup Dialogue) and Educ 692B (Intergroup Dialogue Facilitation) during their second year of study. Students may choose to participate in research activities associated with intergroup dialogue.

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School of Education Department of Student Development (SD) Social Justice Education Concentration