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Educational Theory and Social Foundations

Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Social justice + peace
Become a leader who makes change and solves problems. Enroll in UToledo’s master's program in educational theory and social foundations or doctoral program in foundations of education.

Social justice + peace
Become a leader who makes change and solves problems. Enroll in UToledo’s master's program in educational theory and social foundations or doctoral program in foundations of education.

Educational Theory and Social Foundations Graduate Degree Overview

The mission of the graduate social foundations of education program at The University of Toledo is to educate knowledgeable, skilled leaders who create effective change and build a more just, peaceful world. 

UToledo has the only doctoral program in foundations of education in the region. Our graduate students think deeply about how social, cultural and ideological forces shape education. Our program is distinctive in its emphasis on community and culture, social justice and peace education. 

If you have an interest in education, in all its forms across society, this is the program for you. UToledo mentors and nurtures local educators and other professionals striving to improve the world. We actively recruit graduate students from underrepresented populations in the Toledo area.  

The social foundations of education program offers: 

  • Two certificates 
    • Online certificate in Foundations of Peace Education 
    • Certificate in Culture and Change in Institutions 
  • A master of education degree in Educational Theory and Social Foundations.    
  • A Foundations of Education Ph.D. degree 

Our graduate students bring extensive experience from working in schools and other community institutions. They also come with a strong desire to address the pressing issues they see in their communities. They want to understand the historical, social and institutional forces that lead to these issues. 

Alumni become positive leaders and role models, many in the central city of Toledo.   

Educational Theory and Social Foundations Graduate Degree Highlights

Flexibility. Our program caters to working professionals. Courses are offered in a variety of formats: on-campus (evening classes), asynchronous online (courses can be accessed any time) and blended (online and on-campus). 

Add a certificate. Graduate students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in social foundations of education can enhance their career opportunities by completing certificates in culture and change in institutions or foundations of peace education. 

Community involvement. Our students have opportunities to learn and participate in these popular, community-based programs: 

  • Community Conversations for School Success — This education series attracts citizens, students and educators to discuss how to help all students succeed. 
  • Padua Alliance Participatory Action Research —  UToledo graduate students and community members team up to investigate how the history and culture of the community inform current social justice issues. Students present their research at regional and national events. 
  • Teach Toledo — The Judith Herb College of Education collaborates with Toledo Public Schools in this initiative to recruit and prepare Toledo citizens to become Toledo teachers.  

One-of-a-kind peace education collection. No one has made more of an impact on peace education than internationally renowned peace scholar and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Betty Reardon. UToledo is proud to house the Reardon Collection in our Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections in UToledo’s Carlson Library. Students have access to her extensive body of scholarship.  

We also are home to the Betty Reardon Peace Education Resource Center in Gillham Hall Room 5260. This center is home to a variety of materials for faculty, student and public use. 

Work on a peace education journal. UToledo faculty member Dr. Dale Snauwaert founded In Factis Pax, a peer-reviewed, online journal of peace education and social justice. Students participate as article submission reviewers. 

Peace Education and Peace Studies 

  • Studies nonviolence and democratic education in an interdisciplinary fashion 
  • Develops curriculum 
  • Organizes seminars, symposia, discussion groups and more 
  • Houses a unique, extensive, peace education library open to students 

Plan of Study

View Master's Plan of Study View Doctorate Plan of Study


Career Opportunities

A social foundations of education graduate degree prepares students for careers as: 

  • Teachers and educational reformers
  • Scholars and researchers
  • University administrators, faculty and staff
  • Professionals in nonprofits and governmental organizations, community agencies and businesses valuing diversity
  • Urban developers and planners


Graduates of our master’s and doctoral programs have been hired as:

  • Program and training specialist, Advocacy Learning Center, Minneapolis, Minn.
  • Faculty, American Language Institute, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
  • Educational consultant, Coimbatore, India
  • Dean, College of General Studies, Indiana Tech University, Fort Wayne, Ind.
  • Professor of English, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China
  • Director of research and operations, Intermedia, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Assistant professor, Wayne State College, Wayne, Neb.
  • Co-director of The Truth Telling Project and visiting assistant director, Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pa.
  • Professor, Al-Quds University, Palestine, Israel
  • Toledo EXCEL coordinator, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio

Research Opportunities

Graduate students in the program conduct research, present their work at national conferences and co-author articles with faculty. 

Faculty and students strive to address issues such as: 

  • Raising the academic performance of underserved students
  • Equity and access for all in a multicultural society
  • Social justice issues such as funding
  • Recruitment of a diverse teacher workforce
  • Our acclaimed, award-winning faculty members have diverse research interests, including:
  • Theories of democracy and social justice
  • Philosophy of peace education
  • The relationships between social policy and education in the U.S. and other countries
  • Urban education issues
  • The role of educational institutions in human development
  • The use of folkloristic theories, methods and materials in promoting democratic and social reconstructionist education
  • The relationship of race, class and gender to the education of historically marginalized populations in the U.S.
  • The impact of politics and institutions on the lives of educators and citizens in history
  • Human rights and human rights education

Add a certificate

Culture and Change in Institutions

The Culture and Change in Institutions certificate was designed for professionals working in a variety of educational environments, including health and social service organizations, P-12 schools, community colleges, universities and non-governmental organizations. It provides students with the concepts, skills and values to recognize and use culture more effectively in their professional practices as agents in institutional settings.

Courses foster awareness and understanding of culture and power, and deliver practical strategies. Students learn how to to contribute to a dynamic culture that extends access and privilege to members from all backgrounds and supports enactment of our national democratic values.

Learn more

Peace Education Certificate

In a world marked by growing social and political challenges, peace education has never been more crucial to human progress. UToledo’s Graduate Certificate in Foundations of Peace Education is designed for education professionals working in a variety of environments such as public schools, community colleges, universities and non-government organizations.

Develop the concepts, skills and values necessary to help tomorrow’s educators infuse peace education throughout their curriculum. The program caters to an interdisciplinary and international audience and effectively integrates philosophy, policy and practice.

Learn more


Want More Information?


Educational Theory and Social Foundations Graduate Degree

M.Ed.: 1 year full time/2 years part time; Ph.D.: 1.5 years full time/7 years part time

Program Availability

 On Campus

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Department of Educational Studies
College of Education
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Last Updated: 3/21/2023