Cultural Foundations and Social Justice Education, P.M.C.

The aim of the Post-Masters Certificate in Cultural Foundations and Social Justice Education at UNC Greensboro is to provide students with a broad understanding of the cultural, social, political, and ideological forces that have shaped, and continue to shape, education in the U.S. Building on this knowledge the certificate introduces students to those pedagogical traditions that speak to the quest for more socially just, equitable, and liberating institutions and social structures, and the movements, both political and intellectual, that have been instrumental in this quest. The required courses for this program are intended to provide students with a broad, interdisciplinary exposure to the rich scholarly and research traditions that currently shape studies in the cultural foundations of education and social justice.

Program Distinctions

• Most non-tenure track positions require either a Master’s degree or 18 credits in the area of specialization. Cultural Foundations courses either fulfill an entire program of study or provide service courses to a variety of programs.

• The UNC Greensboro School of Education was named one of the 2022 “Top Graduate Schools of Education” by the U.S. News & World Report.

The Student Experience

Students will have the opportunity to engage with diverse faculty and peers who care deeply about social justice education and pursue different opportunities fitting to their research interests and career goals.

After Graduation

The program is designed for students who wish to develop a specialized area in Cultural Foundations and Social Justice Education within their program of study and/or who wish to teach as adjuncts in two and four year institutions of higher education. 

The certificate provides a mechanism through which students can gain additional credentials to adjunct or teach in community colleges, colleges or universities.

additional information

The UNC Greensboro School of Education’s and Graduate School’s formal admission requirements specify the following for the Post Masters Certificate program:

• A master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• A GPA of 3.0 or higher in the master’s degree.

Admissions decisions are based on an applicant’s full set of application materials. All evidence about a prospective student, including the criteria listed above, work experience, letters of reference and recommendations, and the individual’s personal statement will be considered in making admissions decisions. In certain cases, applicants may be granted provisional admission, with a stipulation that they will be granted full admission upon successfully completing a specified number of coursework credits in the program. Faculty members engage in a collaborative, rigorous review of applicants.

The department’s formal admission requirements for a post-masters certificate are the following:

• Three letters of recommendation from people who can speak to the applicant’s academic abilities;
• Transcripts from all universities the applicant has attended;
• Write a 2-3 page personal statement that describes why you wish to pursue this program, how it connects with your personal/professional goals, and what prerequisites prepare you for this program.
• Applications for the PMC in Cultural Foundations and Social Justice program are reviewed twice per year. Deadlines are December 1 and April 1.
  • Please note that although Apply Yourself may indicate that your application has been submitted, this does not mean it is COMPLETE. All application materials must be completed in Apply Yourself before the materials will be released to the department for review.