Creating Better School Settings

The departments of Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology (College of Arts & Sciences), and Teacher Education (College of Education) offer this interdisciplinary master's degree for students pursuing advanced studies in conflict, crime, and cooperation in the school context. Students will understand theoretical concepts, methodological techniques, and the application of substantive interdisciplinary knowledge, enabling them to analyze, understand and effectively intervene to reduce harmful relational and institutional practices in school settings.

Essential dimensions of the program include a thesis or non-thesis requirement through which students demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply relevant knowledge to address a particular dimension of the problem of school violence.

What You Will Learn

Majors in the Schools, Society and Violence program learn how to analyze complex problems associated with school violence. They explore the larger social, historical, economic, and ideological context producing violent social relations within schools. Students also develop qualitative and quantitative research methods, and the skills needed to create positive solutions to school violence.

Featured Courses

The M.A. in Schools, Society and Violence requires the completion of 31 hours of coursework to be distributed among required courses, elective courses, and thesis or non-thesis courses, including the featured courses below.

• CRM 610 Theories of Criminal Behavior 3 hrs
• SFCE 572 The History of American Schooling and Literacy 3 hrs
• SFCE 580 Sociology of Education 3 hrs