Effective Fall 2023, the Social Foundations of Education specialization has suspended admission.
Specialization Overview
The PhD specialization in Social Foundations of Education provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the social forces that affect urban schools and communities. This program is designed for individuals who want to look deeply at the challenges facing urban areas in the 21st Century and are willing to explore creative solutions. Students in Social Foundations examine the sociological, historical, philosophical, anthropological, and political dimensions of schools and community change. Social foundations doctoral students may investigate issues and contexts grounded in the core disciplines of the social sciences.
Degree Overview
The School of Education offers an interdepartmental program of study leading to the PhD. Students must choose a specialization in either Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Leadership, Art Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Administration, Exceptional Education, Mathematics Education, Multicultural Studies, or Social Foundations of Education.
The program is designed to permit students to integrate their particular curricular areas of interest and specialization with a broader field of education, including urban education. Each specialization, with the exception of Multicultural Studies, is departmentally focused, and students must satisfy the admissions and curriculum requirements indicated for their particular specialization. Recognition of the specialization is acknowledged by official designation on the student’s transcript.
Each of the specializations offers the doctoral student an opportunity to pursue study in a specific program area. For example, Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Leadership emphasizes governance and leadership issues within urban adult education organizations. Educational Administration explores governance and Leadership issues of urban schools. Curriculum and Instruction provides program emphasis in a content area (e.g., reading), education level (e.g., early childhood), a general area (e.g., curriculum theory) or special area (e.g., guiding instructional improvement). Exceptional Education provides program emphasis in departmental interest areas (e.g., handicapping condition), or a cross-disciplinary interest.
A separate PhD with specialization in Counseling Psychology, Learning and Development, Research Methodology, and School Psychology is offered through the Department of Educational Psychology. Multicultural Studies is a cross-department program allowing students to develop their own area of focus in collaboration with faculty in multicultural urban education. The Social Foundations of Education specialization provides students with the conceptual tools with which to examine the complex interrelationships between school and society, education and culture.
All graduates should have a broad understanding of the issues, problems and trends related to education, including urban education, and the application of these to their major.
The program requires each participant to develop research skills ranging from logic in inquiry to development of specific methodological skills in qualitative and quantitative methods. The PhD is a research degree and not only a professional preparation degree. Therefore research is an integral part of the program. Mastery of these skills is demonstrated through coursework, research projects and the dissertation. Graduates apply their skills, in institutions of higher education, public or private school settings, federal, state, or local governmental agencies, community organizations, and the private sector.
Cooperating Departments
- Administrative Leadership
- Educational Policy and Community Studies
- Educational Psychology
- Teaching and Learning
- Information Studies (School of)
Admission Requirements
Effective Fall 2023, the Social Foundations of Education specialization has suspended admission.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Admission
An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus the following program requirements to be considered for admission. Applicants must also complete the reason statement in the application.
Graduate Record Examination
GRE scores are not required for admission to program.
Grade Point Average
Applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of 2.75.
Check with specializations that might have additional requirements.
Writing Sample
Applicants must submit a writing sample completed within the last five years. The writing sample must be single authored, at least 1500 words, and must be selected from one of the following options:
- Master’s Thesis
- Undergraduate Senior Thesis
- Technical Report
- Term Paper
- Publication
- Written Description of a Project
- Action Research Project
- Writing sample or written response showing evidence of analytical and argumentative writing and reasoning. The response should address the following: How would you conceptualize and analyze issues in urban education? The response to this question must show evidence of appropriate references to a knowledge base.
The writing sample must be submitted with the application.
Reasons Statement
A Reasons Statement is used to determine the appropriateness of your educational and professional goals and serves as an example of your ability to express yourself in writing. In the statement:
- Explain your reasons for pursuing graduate study.
- Describe specific interests and your background in the field.
- List any relevant skills or training you have acquired.
- List relevant academic awards or honors you have received.
Curriculum Vitae/Resume
All UEDP applicants are required to submit a current Curriculum Vitae/Resume.
Recommendations
The program requires 3 letters of recommendation. These letters must be submitted through the application’s electronic recommendation feature by the recommenders themselves. Letters uploaded or sent by the applicant will not be accepted. If possible, please provide your recommenders with a summary of your application materials. Feel free to encourage your recommenders to provide illustrations linking your experiences and abilities with the aims of the doctoral specialization.
Application
Applicants are required to articulate their urban and research interests and goals in application materials. An intended concentration within the PhD must be specified at time of application.
- Applicants who fail to satisfy these admission requirements will not be recommended for admission. However, satisfying these minima does not guarantee admission.
- Applicants who are not recommended for admission will be provided an opportunity to request a reconsideration.
Individual specializations may expect prior coursework in that area. Applicants may contact the Director for specific information. Openings in the program are limited.
Students should apply by December 1st of the year prior to entry, or earlier, if they plan to apply for University-wide fellowships. Applications completed after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis up until April 1st for Fall admission of that calendar year.
Application materials MUST be submitted by April 1st in order to be admitted for the fall semester.
Credits and Courses
Minimum degree requirement is 54 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree (although students ordinarily take more than 54), at least 27 of which must be earned in residence at UWM (i.e., on the UWM campus).
A minimum grade of B or better is required for all courses counting toward the Urban Education doctoral degree. Students earning a B- or lower must consult with their advisor to fulfill the requirement within one semester.
In consultation with the major professor, the student designs a program of studies that enables the student to gain the knowledge and skills appropriate to the student’s goals.
The program of studies includes the following:
The Doctoral Seminars
All doctoral students must take three 3-credit seminar courses devoted to content involving education in an urban environment.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 701 | Critical Issues in Urban Education | 3 |
| EDUC 801 | Seminar in Urban Education | 3 |
| EDUC 901 | Advanced Seminar in Urban Education | 3 |
Research Requirement
Department specialization requirements may exceed those specified here.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one: | 3-4 | |
| Educational Statistical Methods II (prerequisite is ED PSY 624) | ||
| Techniques of Educational Research (prerequisite is ED PSY 624) | ||
| CURRINS/AD LDSP 729 | Qualitative Research and Field Studies in Educational Settings | 3 |
| Additional advanced-level (600 or above) coursework from either a qualitative track or quantitative track | 6 | |
| Approved research design course | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15-16 | |
All students must demonstrate knowledge in this area by completing the specialization equivalent to the preliminary exam and successfully defending a dissertation.
Designated Specialization
Students indicate a specific area of specialization by applying for one of the transcript-designated specializations in either Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, Exceptional Education, Mathematics Education, Multicultural Studies, or Social Foundations of Education. Students may be required to meet the specific admissions and program requirements for their intended specialization in addition to meeting the PhD admissions and program requirements. (Please see the accompanying explanation and requirements for each specialization.)
Residency
Residence requirements cannot be met at the master’s level, and must be fulfilled before you can achieve dissertator status. There are two types of doctoral residency that must be met:
Academic Year Requirement
You must complete 8 to 12 graduate credits in each of two consecutive semesters, or 6 or more graduate credits in each of three consecutive semesters, including summer sessions. This requirement is intended to provide immersion in the chosen discipline and foster participation in the community of scholars.
50% Requirement
At least 50% of the graduate credits required for your PhD program must be completed at UWM in doctoral status.
Social Foundations of Education Specialization
- Students wishing to be admitted to the Urban Education Doctoral Program must indicate their intended area of specialization. Their applications will be reviewed by the Admissions committee of the Urban Education Doctoral Program as well as by the Department of Educational Policy and Community Studies. The general requirements maintained by the Graduate School at UWM will apply to these candidates;
- Subsequent to admission, the student must submit a program for study for a specialization in Social Foundations of Education, developed in conjunction with the student’s advisor and committee;
- If the student’s specialization in Social Foundations of Education is approved, the student must submit their program of study to the Office of Doctoral Studies for review and approval by the director;
- Students who have already had their programs approved prior to their decision to seek specialization in Social Foundations of Education must submit a program for concentration in Social Foundations of Education to the Departmental Graduate Committee for approval, and if changes are made, must seek approval of the new program of studies by the Office of Doctoral Studies.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Educational Doctoral Program General Requirements | ||
| EDUC 701 | Critical Issues in Urban Education | 3 |
| EDUC 801 | Seminar in Urban Education | 3 |
| EDUC 901 | Advanced Seminar in Urban Education | 3 |
| Research Methods | ||
| ED PSY 624 | Educational Statistical Methods I (or equivalent methods course) 1 | 3 |
| ED PSY 724 | Educational Statistical Methods II | 4 |
| CURRINS 729 | Qualitative Research and Field Studies in Educational Settings | 3 |
| ED POL 837 | Emergent Methods in Qualitative Research for Social Foundations | 3 |
| Advanced Research Course (Choose from Advanced Research list below) | 3 | |
| Specialization Requirements | ||
| ED POL 805 | Sociology of Education: Seminar 2 | 3 |
| ED POL 822 | Global Educational Studies | 3 |
| ED POL 840 | Seminar in Educational Theory | 3 |
| ED POL 850 | Seminar in History of American Education 2 | 3 |
| Electives in Specialization (Choose from Electives list below) | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 46 | |
- 1
Students who meet this requirement will be asked to take another research methods class in consultation with student’s academic advisor.
- 2
If a student has taken these courses in a master’s program, comparable 800-level coursework will be selected in conjunction with the student’s academic advisor.
Students with a Cultural Foundations of Education Master of Science degree may transfer 9 credits numbered 609 or above in which they earned an A- or better. Students with other master’s degrees will be evaluated individually by the department to determine up to 9 credits that may be suitable to transfer as major elective courses. All courses selected must include research papers and be approved by the student’s academic advisor.
Advanced Research
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Historical/Cultural Research | ||
| Anthropology | ||
| ANTHRO 705 | Advanced Topics in Ethnography: | 3 |
| ANTHRO 768 | Topics in Advanced Research Design in Anthropology | 3 |
| History | ||
| HIST 712 | Historiography and Theory of History | 3 |
| HIST 713 | Historical Research Methods | 3 |
| Philosophy | ||
| PHILOS 903 | Seminar in Epistemology: | 3 |
| PHILOS 911 | Seminar in Logic: | 3 |
| PHILOS 960 | Seminar in Metaphysics: | 3 |
| Political Science | ||
| POL SCI 700 | Scope and Methods of Political Science | 3 |
| POL SCI 701 | Techniques of Political Science Research | 3 |
| POL SCI 702 | Advanced Techniques of Political Science Research | 3 |
| Social Work | ||
| SOC WRK 793 | Evaluation of Practice | 2 |
| SOC WRK 794 | Evaluation of Programs | 2 |
| Urban Studies | ||
| URB STD 921 | Seminar: Research Methods in Urban Studies | 3 |
| URB STD 979 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| URB STD 982 | Advanced Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
| Qualitative Research | ||
| CURRINS 829 | Advanced Qualitative Research Techniques for Education Settings | 3 |
| CURRINS 839 | Practicum in Writing from Qualitative Research for Educational Settings | 3 |
| Quantitative Research | ||
| ED PSY 821 | Psychometric Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ED PSY 822 | Item Response Theory | 3 |
| ED PSY 823 | Structural Equation Modeling | 3 |
| ED PSY 824 | Advanced Experimental Design and Analysis | 3 |
| ED PSY 825 | Multivariate Methods | 3 |
| ED PSY 826 | Analysis of Cross-Classified Categorical Data | 3 |
| ED PSY 827 | Survey Research Methods | 3 |
| ED PSY 829 | Instrument Development | 3 |
| ED PSY 922 | Seminar in Measurement and Evaluation: | 3 |
| ED PSY 929 | Seminar in Statistics and Research Design | 3 |
Electives
Options include, but are not limited to:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ED POL 609 | Community Partnerships | 3 |
| ED POL 610 | Reproduction of Minoritized Communities | 3 |
| ED POL 611 | Community Policies and Urban Minority Youths | 3 |
| ED POL 613 | Context and Foundations of Educational Policy | 3 |
| ED POL 620 | History of the Education of African Americans | 3 |
| ED POL 624 | Gender and Education | 3 |
| ED POL 625 | Race Relations in Education | 3 |
| ED POL 630 | Race, Ethnicity, and Public Policy in Urban America | 3 |
| ED POL 633 | Community Development: History, Structure, Process-Empowering Communities | 3 |
| ED POL 636 | Issues in African American Education | 3 |
| ED POL 639 | Milwaukee Black Community | 3 |
| ED POL 640 | The Rise and Fall of America's Southern Civil Rights Movement | 3 |
| ED POL 650 | The Civil Rights Movement in Northern Cities | 3 |
| ED POL 705 | Sociology of Education and Community Engagement | 3 |
| ED POL 721 | Data Analysis for Educational Policy & Community Engagement | 3 |
| ED POL 725 | 3 | |
| ED POL 823 | Multicultural Education | 3 |
| ED POL 850 | Seminar in History of American Education | 3 |
Additional Requirements
Major Professor
Upon admission to the doctoral program, the student is assigned an initial advisor from their intended specialization. This person is available to discuss initial course selection and provide general advice about the program and specialization. After beginning the program and before filing a Program of Studies, the student will seek a permanent major professor from their specialization who is eligible to serve in such a capacity. This permanent advisor may be the initial advisor if the student desires. The major professor is also chair of the student’s dissertation committee.
Selection of the major professor is by mutual consent between the student and the faculty member. The student must notify the UEDP in writing when the major professor has been selected.
Foreign Language Requirement
There is no foreign language requirement. However, individual students may be required to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language if such proficiency is determined to be necessary by a student’s committee.
Doctoral Preliminary Examination
The student must pass a doctoral preliminary examination to qualify for formal admission to candidacy for the degree. The examination covers the area of specialization, urban education, the minor, and research methods.
Dissertation
The candidate must present a dissertation reporting the results of an original research study appropriate to the student’s program. Prior to beginning the research, the candidate must present an acceptable dissertation proposal and defend it at an oral hearing.
Dissertation Defense
The candidate must, as the final step toward the degree, pass an oral examination in defense of the dissertation.
Time Limit
Students who do not complete all degree requirements within seven years from the date of admission to the doctoral program will be recommended for dismissal to the Graduate School.
Contribution to Scholarship
The department strongly recommends all students submit and present their original work at two academic conferences during the course of their studies. Conferences may be local, regional, national, or international in scope. Additionally, students are highly encouraged to contribute to papers submitted to peer-reviewed academic journals prior to graduation.
Optional Minor (9-12 credits)
Students may also choose to complete a minor outside the School of Education in an academic department, as negotiated with the student’s academic advisor. While not required, the optional minor, comprised of 9-12 credits in addition to the major requirements of the program, may provide students with another academic area of expertise (e.g., sociology, philosophy, history, etc.)
Other Requirements
All students must adhere to all other general requirements of the Urban Educational Doctoral Program pertaining to such issues as residency, preliminary examinations, dissertation proposals and defense, and time limits.
The preliminary qualifying exam will include a section covering the student’s Social Foundations of Education specialization.
A dissertation with the appropriate area of emphasis is required. The dissertation committee must be composed of a minimum of five members of the graduate faculty. The dissertation advisor will be an approved doctoral advisor and a member of the Department of Educational Policy and Community Studies. Two other members must be from the Department of Educational Policy and Community Studies, and one member must be from the minor area.
Exit Requirements
Contingent upon completion of program requirements, the preliminary qualifying examination, and the successful defense of the dissertation, the chair of the Department of Educational Policy and Community Studies must give final approval for the inclusion of Social Foundations of Education upon the student’s transcript.
Urban Education PhD Learning Outcomes
Scholars graduating from the Urban Education Doctoral Program will be able to…
- study, research, and convey contemporary educational issues within complex urban settings. (Urban Education Researchers & Practitioners)
- explore and apply frameworks to examine urban educational issues. (Urban Issues)
- conceptualize, formulate and execute methods and models used with qualitative and quantitative data. (Qualitative & Quantitative Data)
- synthesize, communicate, and defend original research in an area of specialization. (Dissertation Research)