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Report on: the University of Hawai'i, College of Education  

Educational Foundations Department

Educational Foundations, compared to curriculum studies, is a much broader area of educational inquiry.  The department works with the students to develop their general skills, knowledge, and theoretical understanding.  Faculty members hold diverse interdisciplinary qualifications, as do their students, most of whom work or plan to work in school, college, or university teaching, as well as educational departments and agencies.  

The departmental offices are in the College of Education's Wist Hall, at 1776 University Avenue.  Extensive details about the department are available online at www.coe.hawaii.edu/edef.

Degrees offered are: MEd in educational foundations; and the PhD in education with a specialization in educational foundations.  Students in Educational Foundations may focus on: educational history, philosophy, social foundations, or comparative/international education. 

Just as education is multi-faceted, there are subjects within these categories including: anthropology, economics, political science, religion, sociology, as well as global, environmental and multicultural studies.  Moreover, there is emphasis on educational policy, promoting community and school organization, and institutional renewal.

This departmental stance towards a diversity of moral and intellectual perspectives in schooling benefits the students--they become more well-rounded.  As cultures around the globe increasingly interact, with families moving and bringing new students into old institutions (more than ever), a diversity of knowledge among educators is crucial.  From an employment perspective, a degree in educational foundations can benefit those in the field at any level.  Program graduates who already have a state teaching certificate are also able to apply for State of Hawai'i professional level certification.

Application procedures are similar to those required by the other departments in graduate studies.  The requirements for completing the MEd degree are either thesis (Plan A), or non-thesis options (Plan B), with 30 credits.  The written thesis includes 6 to 9 credits of research, and a defense.  The Plan B includes a final exam or culminating project, depending on the students‘ needs.

As with Curriculum Studies, Educational Foundations does not lead to licensure, thus it would not likely be useful for those seeking to begin teaching careers in DOE schools.  Graduates meeting the degree requirements will be well-suited for professional leadership in teaching or administration in their places of work.