Gary Natriello's Home Page

Gary Natriello	Home \| Announcements \| Papers \| Vita \| Courses \| Sociology & Politics

Graduate Program in Sociology and Education

Masters Programs in Politics and Education

Department of Human Development
Teachers College Columbia University

General Information

Sociologists of education make important contributions to improving schools and understanding how educational processes affect different aspects of society. Sociology is central to the study of education because so much of education is a social enterprise. From the moment children are born they learn in a social environment--from parents, friends, classmates, and teachers. And both students and educators are members of many social groups and associations--neighborhood, church, ethnic group, social class, profession, and of course the school and the local government. The task of sociologists is to understand how all these social relationships affect what is taught and what is learned. At Teachers College we prepare sociologists to work on educational issues at various levels--the individual student, the classroom, schools and school districts, the role of education in the larger society. Together with colleagues in the Department of Human Development we prepare students to study, understand, and design social contexts that promote individual growth.

Admissions and Contact Information

The material on these pages provides some basic information on the degree programs offered through the Graduate Program in Sociology and Education. Application deadlines for the M.A. and M.Ed. programs are July 1st for the fall semester, December 1st for the spring semester, and April 1st for the summer session. The application deadline for the Ed.D. and Ph.D. programs is January 15th. Applicants for the Ed.D. and Ph.D. programs are required to take the general tests of the Graduate Record Examination.

For additional information please contact either the

Teachers College Office of Admissions at 212-678-3710

or the

Department of Human Development at 212-678-3310

Advisors

Professor Gary Natriello
470 Grace Dodge Hall
Box 85 Teachers College, Columbia University, NY, NY 10027
E-mail: gjn6@columbia.edu
Phone: 212-678-3087

Professor Aaron Pallas
468 Grace Dodge Hall
Box xx Teachers College, Columbia University, NY, NY 10027
E-mail: amp155@columbia.edu
Phone: 212-678-xxxx

Degree Programs

The Graduate Program in Sociology and Education offers four degree programs, the M.A., the M.Ed., the Ph.D., and the Ed.D. Each program is designed to meet the needs of students with a particular combination of prior experience and career objectives. The M.A., M.Ed., and Ed.D. programs may be completed on a part-time basis since classes are offered in the evening hours. The Ph.D. program requires full-time study. Although students from all of the programs in sociology and education are prepared to assume positions in educational institutions, the program does not offer professional certification. Certification programs are available in other departments at Teachers College.

The Graduate Program in Sociology and Education also offers two masters degree options with a focus on politics and education, the M.A. in Politics and Education and Policy, and the M.Ed. in Politics and Education and Policy.

The M.A. in Sociology and Education and Policy

The Master of Arts program in sociology and education and policy provides an introduction to the application of sociological perspectives to contemporary educational policy issues. The program provides coverage of the core principles and methods of sociology as they are applied to policy research and analysis. Students completing this program are prepared to assume positions as general analysts in a variety of organizations devoted to applied educational research, policy making, advocacy, consulting, and direct educational service.

The M.Ed. in Sociology and Education and Policy

The Master of Education in sociology and education and policy is an advanced masters degree pursued by students who already possess a masters degree in a substantive area of education or by students without a prior masters degree who want an opportunity to combine study in sociology and education with another area in education. The program involves study of sociological perspectives and methods in the context of contemporary educational policy issues. Current substantive areas that can be combined with study in sociology and policy include: evaluation and institutional analysis, human development, technology, curriculum, administration, and foundations. Students completing this program are prepared to assume positions as specialists in a variety of organizations devoted to applied educational research, policy making, advocacy, consulting, and management of educational activities.

The Ph.D. in Sociology and Education

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.) program is designed for students with substantial background and interest in the discipline of sociology and its application to education. The Ph.D. is a highly specialized degree with few electives and requires substantial course work to be done in daytime classes at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Because this program requires full-time study, students should give careful consideration to the financial resources required to complete this degree. Students completing this program are prepared to assume positions in college and university programs focused on sociological research in the field of education. Students are cautioned that such employment prospects are limited.

The Ed.D. in Sociology and Education

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D) program is designed to provide broad training in the social sciences, education, and educational policy. The program prepares students for positions in teaching, research, and policy through interdisciplinary study grounded in the sociological perspective. All coursework is available at Teachers College and both part-time and full-time study is possible. Students completing this program are prepared to assume positions in college and university programs in education as well as leadership positions in a variety of organizations devoted to applied educational research, policy making, advocacy, consulting, and management of educational activities.

Masters Program Requirements

Sociology and Education and Policy

Core 12 points	HUDF4000 - Education and Public Policy HUDF4010 - Sociology of Online Learning HUDF4021 - Sociology of Education HUDF4022 - Sociology of Urban Education HUDF4024 - Social Stratification and Education HUDF4027 - Sociology of Classrooms HUDF4028 - Sociology of the Life Course HUDF4029 - Sociology of Schools HUDF4031 - Sociology of Evaluation HUDF4032 - Gender and Inequality HUDF4033 - School Improvement in the Inner City HUDF5023 - The Family as Educator HUDF5026 - The Family and Television HUDF5120 - Education in Community Settings HUDF5621 - Technology and Society
Research Methods 6 points	HUDM4122 - Probability and Statistical Inference HUDF5620 - Adv. Colloq. In Sociology & Education
Policy Sequence 9 points	HUDF5645 - Policy Seminar I HUDF5646 - Policy Seminar II HUDF5430 - Internship (or equivalent)
Colloquia 3 points	HUDF4620. Intro. Colloq. in Sociology & Ed. HUDF5100 - Supervised Research and Practice
Seminars 2 points	HUDF6021 - Social Research Methods: Reporting (Required for Those Preparing Masters Essays)
Additional M.Ed. Reqs.	HUDM5122 - Applied Regression Analysis Additional courses at Teachers College for a total of 60 points

Politics and Education and Policy

Core 12 points	HUDF4000 - Education and Public Policy HUDF4040 - American Politics and Education HUDF4042 - Comparative Politics and Education HUDF4043 - Political Thought and Education HUDF5042 - Urban Politics and Education HUDF5046 - Education and Politics in Western Thought ORLA4030 - Ethical Issues in Educational Leadership ORLA4040 - Education Policy Decision Making ORLA4042 - The Role of the State in Education ORLA4086 - Law and Educational Institutions ORLA5012 - Community Politics ORLA5541 - Federal Politics ORLA5644 - Current Topics in Policy Analysis ORLA5646 - Policy Planning and Implementation: Concepts and Techniques
Research Methods 6 points	HUDM4122 - Probability and Statistical Inference HUDF5620 - Adv. Colloq. In Sociology & Education
Policy Sequence 9 points	HUDF5645 - Policy Seminar I HUDF5646 - Policy Seminar II HUDF5430 - Internship (or equivalent)
Colloquia 3 points	Electives
Seminars 2 points	HUDF6021 - Social Research Methods: Reporting (Required for Those Preparing Masters Essays)
Additional M.Ed. Reqs.	HUDM5122 - Applied Regression Analysis Additional courses at Teachers College for a total of 60 points

Please consult a program advisor for the Ph.D. and Ed.D. requirements.