MA in Gender Equity Studies in Education

Total units required for MA: 30

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Gender Equity in Education offers:

  1. the opportunity to take courses that focus on gender roles from the points of view of the various disciplines from other University departments;
  2. the opportunity to take courses that focus on the social constructs of gender, race, and socioeconomic status;
  3. the opportunity to focus on the developmental needs of students for a nonsexist education; and
  4. to develop an understanding of the many political and social issues affecting gender constructs in schools, the workforce, and the impact on society. 

The purpose of the program is to offer graduate students an opportunity to be change agents in the educational system and to make a difference in student's lives, which includes an understanding of intersectionality.  

Admission Requirements

Requirements/Procedures for MA in Gender Equity in Education:

  • a baccalaureate degree;
  • a minimum 2.5 GPA in the last 60 units attempted;
  • a two page essay on education/gender related topics;
  • an approved statement of purpose that addresses:
    1. Why the applicant wants to enter this particular program;
    2. Career objectives which will coincide with program goals;
  • evidence of completion of a previous course(s) with "B" or better grade (graduate or undergraduate level) which focuses on the area of Women's Studies and/or Gender Studies and/or course on social justices focus which includes issues on gender; and
  • participation in an interview (interviews will be scheduled after applicants submit their Program application). Interviews are scheduled after the Program and Office of Graduate Studies applications are due.

Applicants who have deficiencies in admission requirements that can be removed by specified additional preparation may be admitted with conditionally classified graduate status. Any deficiencies will be noted on a written response to the student's admission application.

Admission Procedures

Prospective graduate students, including Sacramento State graduates, must file the following with the Office of Graduate Studies, Riverfront Center 215, (916) 278-6470.

  • an online application, via Cal State Apply, for admission; and
  • one set of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State.

The graduate degree program is subject to general University and Departmental requirements.  These requirements are explained in the Graduate Degree Requirements section of the University Catalog.

Specific Additional Admission Procedures

MA in Gender Equity in Education cohorts begin in fall semester. Applicants must complete a university application and department application by the posted application deadline date for the term applying.

Each applicant must also complete the following procedures with the Graduate and Professional Studies in Education by the same due dates noted above.

Minimum Units and Grade Requirement for the Degree

Units required for the MA:  30

Minimum Cumulative GPA:  3.0

Advancement to Candidacy

Students working toward a Master's degree must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy, indicating a proposed program of study. This procedure should begin as soon as the classified graduate student has:

  • been assigned an advisor;
  • removed any deficiencies in admission requirements;
  • completed 12 units of content knowledge units with a minimum 3.0 GPA; and
  • met the Graduate writing requirement through completion of the Graduate Writing Intensive (GWI) course, EDTE 250, with a B grade or better.

Advancement to Candidacy form is submitted online through MySacState. The student fills out the form after planning a degree program in consultation with his or her faculty advisor. The completed form is then approved by the Graduate Coordinator of the Department and submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Thesis/Project Registration

The Thesis/Project course (EDTE 506) requires the student to file and have an approved Thesis/Project Petition form and Advisor Reservation form on record with the MA in Behavioral Sciences, Gender Equity Education Program Coordinator. Both forms are due by April 1st for fall enrollment and by November 1st for spring enrollment. Failure to meet these deadlines will result in the inability to enroll in the Thesis/Project course (EDTE 506).

Enrollment in EDTE 506 for one semester is required for students to complete their thesis/project. It is expected that students will complete the thesis/project during the 500-level course.  If students fail to make adequate progress according to their Proposal timeline and there are no mitigating circumstances (e.g., illness), a grade of "no credit" is given, and the student must re-enroll in EDTE 506 . Enrollment in the culminating experience may occur only after approval of the Advancement to Candidacy.  Enrollment in EDTE 599 (Continuous Enrollment) required completion of most of the thesis/project (all chapters completed with minor editing needed) and approval of the Program Coordinator.

Please be aware that this program follows the guidelines provided by the American Psychological Association's (APA) most current edition for formatting of theses and projects. The Office of Graduate Studies also publishes a two-sided form, Project Format Requirements, to refer to for the preparation and submission of the Master's Project. You can find this form and other Graduate Studies forms on the web on the Office of Graduate Studies website.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (18 units)
EDUC 165Sex Role Stereotyping in American Education 3
EDTE 250Educational Research 3
EDTE 251Education for a Democratic, Pluralistic Society3
EDTE 266Gender Constructs in Education3
EDTE 268Theory and Practice of Gender Issues and Race3
EDTE 290Seminar: Preparation of Master's Thesis/Project3
Electives (9 units) Though a teaching credential is not required for this program, students who do not have a credential, will be asked to take an approved elective that centers on teaching and instruction. 9
Culminating Experience (3 units)
EDTE 506Culminating Experience: Gender Equity Studies in Education3
Total Units30