Our Master’s degree programs serve graduate students who have a variety of interests in topics such as learning sciences; the politics of school reform; explorations of race and inequality; educational measurement and research methods; the intersection of sport and education; and those who have interest in being in the classroom or a school site administrator.
Master’s of Arts in Education (M.A.)
This program is designed for curious and committed thinkers who are intent on improving human learning and schools—people who seek to master an academic discipline and remain active in civic organizations, educational institutions, or policy arenas. Many of the master’s students have recently graduated with their bachelor’s degree, while others bring a decade or more of professional experience.
Students build their knowledge about education and its policies and practices in a dynamic learning environment that facilitates the development of human, organizational, and systemic capacities. The breadth of our faculty’s expertise allows students to focus their studies on these areas of specialization, or clusters:
- Language, Literacy, and Culture
- Learning Sciences and Human Development
- Policy, Leadership, Organizational Studies
- Social Research Methods
- Sociopolitical Studies of Education
Masters Degree Coursework Requirements
- Students must complete 24 units of coursework.
- At least 18 units must be in the 200-series of Education (EDUC) courses.
- The remaining required units may be from the upper division 100 or 200-series offered in Education and from other UC Berkeley departments.
- EDUC 299 Independent Study and 300-series courses may not be used to meet the 24 unit requirement for the Master’s in Education
- EDUC 268: First Year Graduate Seminar in Education Research & Practice (3 units)
- Students in the CSSE program may have different requirements
- EDUC 271B: Introduction to Qualitative Methods (3 units); and/or
- EDUC 274A: Measurement and Education in Social Sciences (4 units)
Most areas of specialization have two core courses and may also have a research group associated with this particular focus of inquiry. Please consult with your faculty advisor.
Master’s in Education: Capstone Project
The Capstone Project is required in addition to the completion of the required 24 units. The Capstone Project may be fulfilled as a pilot study or position paper. Two BSE faculty members participate in the approval of the Capstone Project requirement. The faculty advisor and at least one other faculty member evaluate the seminar study.
Teacher preparation (M.A. plus teaching credential)
The Berkeley Teacher Education Program (BTEP) prepares teachers who are committed to co-creating powerful and enriching classrooms that embody the values, relationships, and experiences of a more just world. Learn more about our Berkeley Teacher Education Program.
School site and systems leadership (M.A. plus administrative credential)
The Principal Leadership Institute (PLI) is the premiere program that consistently provides rigorous and effective preparation for school leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. PLI takes real-world challenges and uses research to inform practice, enabling school leaders to identify assets in their communities in order to make high-quality learning accessible to all students. PLI is committed to preparing educators for work in urban communities and schools, combining foundational knowledge and professional skill with a strong orientation toward social justice and equity. Learn more about the Principal Leadership Institute.