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The sociological study of education began at Teachers
College in the first decade of the twentieth century. Sociology was established
as the first social science discipline providing a basic framework for the
study of education, complementing the long-established reliance on psychology.
Over this period, the Sociology and Education Program has applied research
findings to education and has examined basic issues in education from a
sociological perspective. Although the program’s theory and research have
emphasized schools and colleges, attention always has been given to education
in other contexts.
The program staff for Sociology and Education includes
sociologists from other programs at the College, and the Department of
Sociology of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Staff strengths are in
education and social stratification; the social organization and design of
schools, classrooms, and other learning environments; urban education; school
desegregation and school choice; education and the life course; and the social
analysis of education policy. The program provides training and hands-on
experience in evaluation methods and both quantitative and qualitative methods.
The curriculum of the Sociology and Education program
emphasizes issues in urban education, including the social organization of
urban schools and school systems, and the success or failure of urban schools
in meeting the educational needs of the diverse populations they serve. The
program faculty are actively engaged in the analysis and evaluation of
educational policies and programs designed to serve educationally disadvantaged
populations.
The program in Sociology and Education also offers a Policy
Studies Concentration for students in the M.A. and Ed.M. programs. For more
information on this concentration, which is open to students throughout
Teachers College, please contact Professor Amy Stuart Wells.
Degree
Programs
The graduate program in Sociology and Education offers four
degree programs, the M.A., the Ed.M., the Ed.D., and the Ph.D. Each program is
designed to meet the needs of students with a particular combination of prior
experience and career objectives. The M.A., Ed.M., and Ed.D. programs may be
completed on a part-time basis with classes 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 teacher certification.
Certification programs are available in other departments at Teachers College.
Master
of Arts
The
Master of Arts program in Sociology and Education (with a policy
concentration option) 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.
Master
of Education
The Master of Education in Sociology and Education (with a
policy concentration option) is an advanced master’s degree pursued by students
who already possess a master’s degree in a substantive area of education or by
students without a prior master’s 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.
Doctor
of Philosophy
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 at Columbia University. This program, therefore,
requires full-time study. Students completing this program are prepared to
assume positions in college and university programs focused on sociological
research in the field of education.
Doctor
of 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. |
