Post Masters Certificate Program in Social Justice Education
Responding to a need for professional development in diversity education, the Educational Studies and Leadership Department of the State University of New York at New Paltz offers a post-masters Certificate Program in Social Justice Education. This 15-credit program is designed for elementary, secondary, and special subject teachers, school guidance counselors and administrators, and nonprofit and advocacy workers who are interested in enhancing their understanding and practice of social justice education in their own settings.
Also designed for teachers who already have their masters degree as well as professionals working in higher education and the human services, this certificate program enables educators to understand the ways in which race, gender, class, language, sexual orientation, religion, and physical/learning disabilities influence them as professionals, their students or clients, and the educational process. In addition, it provides educators with the knowledge and skills needed to enact culturally sustaining teaching and leadership and approaches for creating socially-just educational settings.
Certificate Sponsors - The Educational Studies and Leadership Department
The Educational Studies and Leadership Department, which is comprised of the Social Justice Educational Studies Program, the Educational Administration Program, and the Educational Foundations Unit, is uniquely qualified to offer this Certificate in Social Justice Education. All three units have a long history of offering a range of relevant courses, both theoretical and practical, from which students can choose in developing their plan of study for this 15-credit program.
Students complete 15 graduate credits of course work, including a 3-credit introductory course, 9 credits of electives, and a 3-credit capstone course, and must achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. At the completion of the Program, a Certificate in Social Justice Education will be granted by the State University of New York at New Paltz.
Introductory Course (3 credits)
Race and Gender in Education (EDS581): offered face-to-face, fall semester
Electives in Multicultural Education (9 credits)
Students choose 3 courses from among the following:
Theoretical
Issues in Multicultural Education (EDS537)
Issues of Literacy for Diverse Learners (EDS549)
Critical Issues in Higher Education (EDS554)
Restorative and Transformative Justice and Practice (EDS552)
Teaching Students from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds (SPE572)
Leadership in Education and Human Services (EDS753)
Practical
Politics and Ethics of Service (EDS548)
Antioppressive Pedagogies and Practices (EDS555)
Expressive Arts and Social Change (EDS550)
Teaching in the Inclusive Classroom (SPE565)
Group Dynamics (EDS732)
Social-Emotional Learning for Social Justice (EDS741)
Capstone Course (3 Credits)
Applied Practice in Multicultural/Social Justice Education (EDS793)
Note: Graduate courses taken prior to admission to the Certificate Program or not listed above cannot be applied to students' plans of study for this program. All graduate courses will be taken at SUNY New Paltz.
Application and Admissions Policies and Procedures
The entrance requirements for the Certificate in Social Justice Education are:
1. Evidence of interest in multicultural/social justice education
2. A Masters degree in Education from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 grade point average.
Applicants will submit:
1. An official graduate transcript
2. Two letters of recommendation from school district officials, administrators, or colleagues
3. A 2-3 page personal essay describing your current educational initiatives in social justice education and/or your goals for future endeavors for fostering greater appreciation of diversity in your classroom and school.
Application deadlines are November 1 for spring admission and April 15 for fall admission.
Upon receipt of a completed application, the applicant will be contacted to schedule an interview with Dr. Robyn Sheridan or Dr. Shannon McManimon to complete the application process.
For Program Information Contact
Assistant Professor Robyn Sheridan (sheridar@newpaltz.edu)
Department of Educational Studies & Leadership
800 Hawk Drive
Old Main 108
SUNY New Paltz
New Paltz, NY 12561-2442
Educational Studies and Leadership Department office: (845) 257-2831
For Graduate Admissions Information Contact
Graduate Admissions Office
1 Hawk Drive
Hopfer Admissions Center 102
SUNY New Paltz
New Paltz, NY 12561-2443
845-257-3200
gradadmissions@newpaltz.edu
