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.
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:
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.
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:
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
View Master's Plan of Study View Doctorate Plan of Study
A social foundations of education graduate degree prepares students for careers as:
Graduates of our master’s and doctoral programs have been hired as:
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:
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.
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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.
