Department Office: SAEC 3280
Mailing Address: 1721 Campus Center Drive, SAEC 3280, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Office Hours: 8 am - 5 pm
Website: ecs.utah.edu
Phone: 801-587-7814
Email: ecs@utah.edu
Department Chair: Veronica Valdez, Ph.D.
Graduate Director: Alexander Hyres, Ph.D.
Graduate Advisor: Jason Newnum
Contact for Prospective Students: Alexander Hyres, Ph.D.; alexander.hyres@utah.edu
Mission Statement
To cultivate and support transformative educators and scholars from varied communities and backgrounds to lead innovative, rigorous, interdisciplinary educational research and praxis that advance solutions to address contemporary and historically persistent educational challenges.
Overview
The ECS Department is a nationally recognized leader in the social foundations of education, dedicated to shaping more just and innovative educational futures. ECS engages students in exploring how social, cultural, political, and economic forces influence schools and communities, offering programs that combine rigorous academic study with real‑world impact. Through interdisciplinary coursework and hands‑on partnerships with local schools, tribal nations, community organizations, and national networks, ECS prepares educators, leaders, and scholars to address longstanding educational challenges with fresh, equity‑driven solutions. Students join a vibrant community committed to transformative teaching, meaningful research, and community collaboration. ECS is distinguished by its strong focus on actionable change in classrooms, institutions, and communities. With award‑winning faculty, innovative degree pathways, and deep community partnerships, ECS empowers graduates to become educators and scholars who lead with insight, compassion, and a commitment to educational excellence.
Types of Degrees
ESL Endorsement
Masters of Education
Masters of Arts/Master of Science
Doctor of Philosophy
Graduate Certificate
Undergraduate Programs
Undergraduate Support
Undergraduate courses fulfill general education core requirements giving students essential tools to understand and address real‑world educational issues. Through interdisciplinary learning and partnerships with local schools, tribal nations, and community organizations, ECS supports undergraduates across the Elementary and Secondary Education majors, providing meaningful opportunities to engage with multicultural education, linguistically diverse communities, global exchange programs, and family‑school collaborations. Undergraduates also benefit from pathways into research and Honors thesis work alongside award‑winning faculty who are nationally recognized for advancing cutting-edge education scholarship.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement – 18 credit hours
When attached to a current Educator License, this one-year Utah State Board of Education (USBE) approved endorsement program develops the competencies necessary to provide quality instruction to multilingual students learning English based on the TESOL Standards used for Pre-K-12 Teacher Preparation. This endorsement can be added to an undergraduate teaching license in elementary or secondary education, can be added to a current teaching license when enrolled as a non-matriculated student, or added to a Master’s degree with teaching licensure (further details under the graduate programs description).
Graduate Programs
ECS graduate programs combine rigorous interdisciplinary study, strong faculty mentorship, community‑engaged learning, and deep commitments to educational equity. Whether pursuing an M.Ed. focused on applied practice or a research‑intensive Ph.D., students join a vibrant, mission‑driven intellectual community prepared to transform educational systems, shape public policy, and advance educational opportunities in partnership with learners, families, and communities.
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - 30 credit hours
Designed for practicing teachers and administrators and individuals who plan to pursue doctoral studies to advance their understanding of educational issues and innovative research, teaching, and practice in social, cultural, and institutional contexts. These programs emphasize interdisciplinary frameworks and applied study across K–12 and higher‑education settings. M.Ed. students complete a core course (ECS 6600), coursework, and a comprehensive exam. M.Ed. students specialize in:
Social Foundations of Education
Teaching for Transformation (general emphasis)
Teaching for Transformation with ESL Endorsement
Teaching for Transformation with Secondary Licensure (joint program with the Urban Institute for Teacher Education [UITE])
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - 60 credit hours
A research‑intensive degree emphasizing disciplinary training, research methodologies, advanced theoretical inquiry, and original scholarship. Students progress through coursework, a first‑year review, preliminary exams, and their qualifying exam (dissertation proposal and dissertation defense). ECS graduate students engage in community‑engaged research, school‑based fieldwork, partnerships with tribal nations, research assistantships, teaching experiences, and optional credentials such as the Working with Native Communities Graduate Certificate. Structured advising—led by faculty advisors and the Director of Graduate Studies, supports students at each milestone of their degree journey. The program is designed for those pursuing academic, research, leadership, or policy careers. Students specialize in one of two areas:
History, Philosophy, and Sociological Studies of Education
Language, Culture, and Curriculum Studies
Working with Native Communities Graduate Certificate – 15 credit hours
An interdisciplinary certificate program open to graduate students across the University of Utah. Students build a strong foundation for working respectfully and effectively with Native nations and communities by deepening their understanding of Indigenous histories, political sovereignty, contemporary challenges, and tribal governance. More information is located on the website.
Additional Information
Financial Aid/Support Information
ECS graduate students have access to financial and professional support through a limited number of teaching and research assistantship opportunities, which offer hands‑on experience in instruction and faculty-led research while providing paid positions and the potential for university tuition benefit programs. ECS department‑specific scholarships include:
Harvey Kantor & Janet Felker Research Scholarship in ECS
Available to an ECS Ph.D. student who has finished their Ph.D. coursework but has not yet completed or defended their dissertation, whose area of research is sociology, history or philosophy of education (social, cultural, and/or historical foundations of education); is in good academic standing with no incompletes or EUs; and a GPA of 3.5 or higher. The award amount varies annually and is determined by available funds.
Professional/Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Department of Education, Culture & Society pursue impactful careers across education, community organizations, non‑profits, government, and higher education. Many alumni become K–12 teachers, community educators, policy advocates, nonprofit leaders, and specialists serving underserved populations, while others advance into doctoral study or enter university faculty roles in the social foundations and curriculum fields. ECS programs also connect students with community partners, schools, and tribal nations, giving them real‑world experience and networks that support meaningful career pathways in research, public service, and community‑engaged educational work.