Educational Studies, Ph.D. Cultural Foundations Concentration

The Ph.D. in Educational Studies with a Concentration in Cultural Foundations focuses on theoretical and policy issues related to educational practice. The program is concerned with the breadth and depth of what is fundamental to educational practice — its ideology, philosophical assumptions, and moral claims — and is grounded in the study of education and culture with a particular interest in the integration of social analysis, cultural analysis, and praxis. 

Graduates develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for investigating, understanding, and shaping the dynamic relations among students, institutions of higher education, and society.

Program Distinctions

• Graduates of this program serve as prominent faculty in university cultural foundations 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

The program is designed for students who wish to develop a critical analysis about concerns related to the relationship between culture and education and intend to apply their knowledge in a variety of contexts/learning spaces.

Students will have the opportunity to engage in research alongside faculty, present and attend conferences, write for publication, serve in various associations or committees on campus, and pursue different opportunities fitting to their research interests and career goals.

Suggested foundational courses:

ELC 705: Foundations of Critical Theory

ELC 706: History of Education in the United States

ELC 707: Philosophies in Education

ELC 708: Educational Sociology: Race, Class, and Gender Power Dynamics

ELC 709: Introduction to Critical Pedagogy

After Graduation

Upon completion of the program students can expect to successfully transition into roles as a professor, a director of a program in higher education, director of a non-profit, a community educator, and many more.

additional information

The UNC Greensboro School of Education’s and Graduate School’s formal admission requirements specify the following for the Ph.D. 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 doctoral studies are the following:

• Three letters of recommendation from people who can speak to the applicant’s academic abilities;
• Writing sample;
• Transcripts from all universities the applicant has attended;
• Write a 2-3 page personal statement that describes why you wish to pursue this PhD program, how it connects with your personal/professional goals, and what prerequisites prepare you for this program.
• Applications for the Ph.D. program are reviewed once per year during January and must be completely submitted by January 15.
  • 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.