Master of Education (Ed.M.) | Sociology and Education | Education Policy & Social Analysis

Master of Education (Ed.M., 60 points)

Program Requirements

Ed.M. Degree in the Program in Sociology and Education – minimum of 60 points

Requirements for the Ed.M. program without the educational policy option: 

I.  Core Courses (Minimum of 14 points) 

A. Foundational Coursework in Social Analysis of Education

• EDPS 4021 Sociology of Education (3) (Required)
• EDPA 4050 Logic & Design of Research in Educational Policy & Social Analysis (3)
• EDPS 4620 Introductory Colloquium in Sociology and Education (2 or 3) (Required)
• EDPS 5620 Advanced Colloquium in Sociology and Education (3)

B. Education and Social Inequality (minimum 3 points)

• EDPS 4022 Sociology of Urban Education (3)
• EDPP 5045 Race, Ethnicity and US Educational Policy (3)
• EDPS 4024 Social Stratification and Education (3)
• EDPS 4032 Gender, Difference and Curriculum (3)
• C&T 4032 Gender, Difference and Curriculum (3)

C. Education and Social Organization (minimum 3 points)

• EDPS 4029 Sociology of Schools (3)
• EDPS 4030 Sociology of Organizations (3)
• EDPS 5022 Sociology of Education Systems (3)
• EDPA 6030 Institutional Theory: Sociological Perspectives on Institutional Change in Education (3)
• EDPS 5199 Sociology of Teaching and Leadership in Education (3)
• ITSF 5023 Family as Educator (3)
• ITSF 5026 Family and Television (3)
• ITSF 5120 Education in Community Settings (3)
• HUDK 4031 Sociology of Evaluation (3)

D. Education and Social Change (minimum 3 points)

• EDPS 4000 Education and Public Policy (3)
• EDPS 4028 Sociology of the Life Course (3)
• EDPS 5050 Sociology of Knowledge (3)
• HUDK 4011 Sociology of Online Learning (3)
• HUDK 5621 Technology and Society (3)

II. Research Methods (12 points)

A. Quantitative Research Methods (6 points)

• EDPA 4002 Data Analysis for Policy & Decision Making I (3), or
• HUDM 4122 Probability and Statistical Inference (3), and
• EDPA 5002 Data Analysis for Policy & Decision Making II (3), or
• HUDM 5122 Applied Regression Analysis (3)

B. Qualitative Research Methods (3 points)

• EDPS 5057 Qualitative Methods for Education Policy and Social Analysis (3), or
• ITSF 5000 Methods of Inquiry:  Ethnography and Participant Observation (3), or
• C&T 5502 Introduction to Qualitative Research in Curriculum and Teaching (3)

C. Advanced Research Methods (3 points)

• EDPA 4050 Logic & Design of Research in Educational Policy & Social Analysis (3)
• EDPS 5646 Evaluation of Educational and Social Programs (3)
• ORL 5522 Evaluation Methods I (3)
• HBSS 6100 Program Evaluation (3)
• T6416 Program Evaluation in Social Services (at Columbia School of Social Work) (3)
• EDPS 5020 Survey Research Methods (3) 

III. Electives/Concentration (28-31 points)

IV. Culminating Integrative Experience (0-3 points)

Master’s comprehensive examination (0), or

Master’s essay and EDPS 6021 Master’s Essay in Sociology and Education (1 point in the fall and 2 points in the spring, for a total of 3 points)

Additional requirements for the Ed.M. program with the policy concentration: 

Choose one course from each of the following four categories: 

I. Foundational Studies in Education Policy

• EDPS 4000   Education and Public Policy

II. Policy Analysis

• EDPA 5645 Craft of Policy Analysis
• EDPA 4047 Politics and Public Policy
• EDPA 4048 Policy Analysis & Implementation,

III. Program Evaluation

• EDPS 5646 Evaluation of Educational and Social Programs
• ORL 5522 Evaluation Methods I
• HBSS 6100 Program Evaluation
• T6416 Program Evaluation in Social Services (at Columbia School of Social Work)

IV. Topics in Education and Social Policy

• EDPA 4013 Education Policy and the Management of Instruction
• EDPA 4017 Topics in Higher Education Law
• EDPA 4025 Higher Education Policy
• EDPA 4033 Comprehensive Educational Opportunity
• EDPA 4046 School Finance Policy and Practice
• EDPA 4086 Law and Education:  Regulation, Religion, Free Speech and Safety
• EDPA 4899 Federal Policy Institute
• EDPA 5016 Educational Equality:  The Rule of Law
• EDPA 5023 Policymaking for Effective High School to College Transition
• EDPA 5086 Educational Policymaking and the Courts
• EDPA 5880 School Law Institute
• EDPA 6013 Early Childhood Development and Education
• EDPA 6027 International Perspectives on Early Childhood Policy
• EDPE 4057 Economics of Urban and Minority Education
• EDPE 4058 Economics of Higher Education
• EDPE 4155 Evaluating Educational Privatization and School Choice
• EDPP 5041 Politics of Centralization and Decentralization
• EDPP 5045 Race, Ethnicity and US Educational Policy
• C&T 4615 Young Children, Families and Social Policy
• C&T 5050 Education Policy:  Prologue to the Future
• C&T 5074 Curriculum and Teaching Policy
• HBSS 4112 Social Policy and Prevention
• ITSF 4060 Latinos in Urban Schools
• ITSF 4098 Education Development Policies in China
• ITSF 4160 Human Rights Education in Africa:  Politics, Policies and Pedagogies
• ITSF 5006 International Education Policy Studies

*Please note that all master's students must complete a Culminating Experience.  See the Guidelines for more details: