Who benefits? Who doesn't? Why does inequity persist? What is my role and the role of scholarship?
The Critical Studies in Education (CSE) Graduate Certificate is a selection of required and elective courses that emphasize opportunities to widen and deepen perspectives and understandings of how education has been shaped and continues to be shaped by power, oppression, inequality, equity, identity, and marginalization. The courses in the certificate offer critical tools to problematizing and understanding sociopolitical historical contexts of global education and engage students in exploring how interconnected social systems contribute to building and maintaining structural inequities.
This transdisciplinary, post-masters, certificate in critical studies in education prepares students to examine policies and practices in education by asking questions such as, "Who benefits from this decision?" and "Who is disadvantaged by this decision?" By applying critical frameworks to persistent problems of inequity, students construct the lenses and tools of critique and action.
The certificate transgresses disciplinary boundaries by bringing together knowledge from early childhood, educational leadership, international education, teacher education, curriculum, and beyond to construct an individual pathway for each student to problematize how education influences and upholds systems of power that both harm and advantage. The certificate prepares students to study and act on those problematizations.
The CSE certificate helps students craft their identities as critical scholars who have the tools to apply critical frameworks to problems of practice and engage in and with scholarship of consequence. The CSE certificate offers a credential declaring one's identity as a critical scholar and communicates that an individual has deep knowledge in critical studies of education. The CSE certificate is meant for those ready to study at the doctoral level or who are already engaged in doctoral study.
The CSE certificate is open to anyone with an earned Masters degree. Students currently in the PhD in Education program or another Mason PhD program can pursue the CSE certificate as a secondary certificate program while enrolled in their PhD program. See the Current Students tab for more information. Note that courses can be used twice while pursuing multiple degree programs concurrently. Applicants who are external to Mason are also welcome to apply. See the Admissions tab for application details.
What is the admissions process?
Current PhD in Education students complete the Graduate Secondary Certificate Program Application form. Students should consult with their PhD advisor and CSE certificate faculty lead prior to applying.
Current George Mason PhD students who are not in the Education program must complete the application form and submit an essay (500 word maximum) detailing their interest in the CSE certificate program. Students should consult with their PhD advisor and CSE certificate faculty lead prior to applying.
External applicants must apply and be admitted through the University’s graduate application process, meeting all university admissions requirements, and must submit an essay (500 word maximum) detailing their interest in the certificate program. To view the university’s admissions criteria and apply, go to: https://www.gmu.edu/graduate/apply
Can I pursue the CSE graduate certificate as part of my primary/secondary specialization for the PhD in education program?
Yes! The CSE certificate is not intended to be a wholly separate set of courses parallel to your program; rather, it is designed so that many/most of the courses in the certificate would be the same courses you take to fulfill your primary/secondary specialization coursework. Courses may count twice – once for your primary or secondary coursework requirement and_ again _for your certificate.
I have already completed one to a few of the CSE certificate courses, can I still add the certificate?
Yes! The courses you have already completed will be included in your degree record for the CSE certificate. If the courses were taken externally to Mason, consult your CSE advisor and/or the CSE faculty lead, Dr. Stephanie Dodman (sdodman@gmu.edu).
Do I have to choose from the list of electives? If there is another course I’m interested in (or have already taken), can I substitute that?
You may not substitute any of the three core required courses. The elective courses have specifically been vetted to ensure their explicit and intentional foundation in criticality as required for the certificate; however, substitutions to these are possible with required approval from your CSE certificate advisor and the certificate’s faculty lead, Dr. Stephanie Dodman (sdodman@gmu.edu).
I’m already in proposal or dissertation – is it too late to pursue the certificate?
As of right now, students may take the Critical Studies in Education Capstone (EDUC 861) while in proposal or dissertation. This is because the certificate is new, and students have been unable to plan their programs of study to fulfill the CSE certificate, and as a result, may already have fulfilled PhD program coursework. Moving forward, the certificate should be planned in alignment with one’s PhD program of study and all CSE certificate requirements should be fulfilled by Portfolio III.
What is the capstone course (EDUC 861)?
The capstone course is an opportunity to complete an individualized project under the direction and advisement of a CSE advisor. EDUC 861 will be taken as an individualized section with a CSE faculty member. The project that you complete for the capstone should focus on your individual research and scholarly research interests while clearly demonstrating your robust understanding of critical theories and applications. The project is encouraged to be one that will serve you well in terms of your portfolio, your dissertation, and/or your work setting. Completed projects will be presented to CSE students and affiliated faculty.
What is the difference between the CSE and the Anti-Racist and Decolonizing Research Methods (ARDR) Certificates?
Both graduate certificates are grounded in critical perspectives, and, in fact, share a core required course (EDUC 855). Both certificates are focused on examining and challenging inequitable power structures and systems of oppression. The CSE certificate is content focused to understand critical studies as a discipline and way of understanding education and the development of perspectives, tools, and skills to critically examine educational practices and policies. The ARDR certificate emphasizes research methods necessary for consuming, designing, and implementing critically oriented research. For more information on the ARDR certificate, visit: https://education.gmu.edu/research-methodology/certificate-anti-racist-decolonizing-research.
Could I possibly earn both the CSE and the ARDR certificate during my PhD program?
With very careful advising, this could be possible. The following must be considered: Courses can be used only twice to fulfill the degree requirements of two concurrent degree programs. You can only be enrolled in two degree programs at a time. While in your PhD program, this means that one certificate would need to be enrolled first and then once it is earned, you could enroll in the second certificate. All certificates would need to be completed prior to the conclusion of your PhD program. At least 24 credits of the doctoral degree must be unique to your doctoral degree program.
Required Courses
Electives
Select six credits from the following; courses may be substituted with CSE advisor approval:
Total credits: 15
Fall Semester
(classes starting in August) |
Spring Semester
(classes starting in January) |
Summer Semester
(classes starting in May, June, or July) |
Priority*: April 1
Space Available: August 15 |
Priority*: November 1
Space Available: January 5 |
Priority*: February 1
Space Available: May 15 |
For more information and to apply, visit the admissions website.
* Priority deadline ensures consideration for the intended semester as well as financial aid options for students. Programs will continue to review applications until at capacity. Some programs do not review applications past the priority deadline.
- Graduate application and fee
- 500-word written statement of your goals and interest in the CSE certificate
- Transcripts from all previous institutions attended in the U.S. Please refer to the Office of Graduate Admissions information page for specific requirements regarding uploading unofficial transcripts.
- Applicants with transcripts from outside of the U.S. could have additional requirements. Please refer to the How To Apply page for specific requirements about submitting international transcripts, evaluations, and English language proficiency.
- A minimum 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale in baccalaureate study. The GPA requirement may be higher for some graduate programs. The university, at its discretion, may, in evaluating the meeting of this requirement, additionally consider the difficulty of the baccalaureate degree, relevant work experience, any/or other evidence of ability to succeed in graduate study.
- Enrollment in a PhD program or an earned master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts. Expectation of an earned baccalaureate and/or graduate degree prior to the first day of classes for the term for which the student is applying will also meet this requirement. See the admissions policy here for information.
- International students should reference Admission of International Students for additional requirements.
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
| Virginia Resident |
$748.50
(includes MSF*) |
| Non-Virginia Resident |
$948.50
(includes MSF*; discounted from $1,679.50) |
| VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program** |
$635.50
(includes MSF*) |
| CEHD Course Fee |
$25 - $84 |
| Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$773.50 - $832.50 |
| Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$979.50 - $1,038.50 |
| Total cost for VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program* |
$660.50 - $719.50 |
Graduate New Student Fee
(non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$60 |
Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Internship courses will incur a higher course fee to fund on-site assistance involving intensive clinical training/supervision.
*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $159.50
**VA state residents who are eligible must apply for the 15% PreK-16 VA Educators Discount in order to take advantage of the lower tuition. Eligible students receive 15% off the total tuition and mandatory student fee.
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.
Each student in the Critical Studies in Education (CSE) Graduate Certificate has an advisor with whom they work closely to determine courses. Advisors are affiliated CSE faculty.
If you are already a student in the PhD in Education program or another PhD program at Mason, you can pursue the CSE certificate as a secondary certificate program. Complete this form with all appropriate signatures and submit to CEHD Student and Academic Affairs. Students should consult with your PhD advisor and CSE faculty lead (Dr. Stephanie Dodman) prior to submission. Students in other Mason PhD programs need to additionally submit a 500 word essay detailing their interest in the CSE certificate.
Sorry, the recipients you are trying to contact could not be found. If you believe this is an error, please email
cehdtech@gmu.edu
Stephanie Dodman
Lead Faculty
Supriya Baily
Joy Banks
Bethany Letiecq
Joan Shin
Colleen Vesely
Samantha Viano