The Student-Designed Focus Area represents the most flexible approach to the Cultural Foundations of Community Engagement and Education Master’s Program, and is pursued by many of our students. Students take the four required courses and then choose themselves from electives in the Department and across the University. The Student-Designed Focus Area allows students to fit the CFE Master’s program to their own unique interests, needs, and scheduling restrictions. This is the “default” option for students who do not choose a specific focus area in the program.

In addition to the standard requirements for the CFE degree, students must take:

ED POL 531: Alternative Schools
ED POL 534: Students At Risk
ED POL 535: Educating At Risk Students
ED POL 625: Race Relations in Education

Note: Another course can be substituted for Ed Pol 625 with permission of advisor.

For More Information

Raji Swaminathan
(414) 229-5752
swaminar@uwm.edu

A Joint Focus Area within the M.S. Cultural Foundations of Education

The joint MS focus area in Community Engagement is the result of a collaboration between the Department of Educational Policy and Community Studies (EPCS) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) and the Autonomous University of Social Movements (AUSM), a project of the Mexico-US Solidarity Network.

Program Overview

The two-year, thirty-credit program gives students strong theoretical foundations and practical experiences in community engagement, with particular emphasis on:

• Political and Structural Power Analysis
• Cross-cultural Communication Skills
• Popular Education Techniques
• Race, Class, and Gender Dynamics
• Spanish/English Fluency
• Urban Dynamics
• Leadership Skills

The joint program in community engagement focuses on the theory, practice and context of community organization. The program combines theoretical coursework with hands on practice in the Albany Park Autonomous Center, a largely Latino community center in the heart of an immigrant barrio on the northwest side of Chicago.

Finances

Finances Students will pay for 7 credits during the first two semesters. 3 credits will be offered online and can be taken by all students for the in-state tuition rate. 4 credits will be offered face-to-face at the AUSM in Chicago, and will be billed at either the in- or out-of –state rate depending on the student’s status as determined by University of
Wisconsin guidelines, given their required residence in Illinois during the duration of the program.

8 credits are taken during the third semester, three online and five face-to-face at AUSM. In the fourth and final semester will take 8 credits, through one of the following two options: (1) students who choose the thesis option will take 3 credits online and 5 credits face-to-face at AUSM, (2) Students who choose the paper option will take 6 credits online and 2 credits face-to-face at AUSM.

Optional Summer Program

The program includes an optional eight-week Summer program in Mexico studying the context, theory and practice of Mexico’s most dynamic social movements, including indigenous movements in Chiapas, campesino movements in Tlaxcala and housing movements in Mexico City.

Program Requirements

Students are required to complete:

• 30 academic credits
• A practicum in the Albany Park Autonomous Center
• An optional thesis based on original research conducted in Albany Park in coordination with barrio residents, or a paper

Core Courses

Ed Pol 705: Sociology of Education (3 credits)
Ed Pol 710: Research Methodologies (3 credits)
Ed Pol 740: Philosophy of Education (3 credits)
Ed Pol 750: History of Education (3 credits)

Community Engagement Focus Area Core Courses (taught by faculty from AUSM)

Ed Pol 688: Community Practicum (1 credit/semester)
Ed Pol 711: Community Engagement—Collective Action for Social Change (3 credits)
Ed Pol 712: Community Engagement Models (3 credits)
Ed Pol 713: Structural/Political Analysis in Community Engagement and Popular
Education (3 credits)
Ed Pol 714: Popular Education Theory and Practice (3 credits)
Ed Pol 999: Thesis Seminar (2 credits)

Note: Students who opt not to write a paper instead of a thesis may substitute any 3 credit course in the Department of Educational Policy and Community Studies during the final semester.

An applicant must meet the Graduate School requirements as outlined by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, plus submit the following documents:

• Completion of the UWM Graduate School online application to the Cultural Foundations of Community Engagement and Education MS program (The Community Engagement Master’s is a joint focus area with the Cultural Foundations of Community Engagement and Education MS program).
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can testify to the applicant’s academic potential. The letters should be submitted simultaneously to the UWM Department of Educational Policy and Community Studies (address below) and the AUSM.
• A written statement of educational and life goals, with a description of any previous experiences in community engagement or related work. The statement should be submitted simultaneously to the UWM Department of Educational Policy and Community Studies and the AUSM.
• A short application containing basic student contact information submitted to AUSM.
• An interview, either by telephone or in-person with AUSM staff.
• All admitted students must be accepted by both AUSM and UWM.

AUSM E-Mail

AUSM@mexicosolidarity.org

UWM Address

Department of Educational Policy and Community Studies at UWM
P.O. Box 413
Milwaukee, WI 53201

epcs@uwm.edu

For More Information

Aaron Schutz
(414) 229-4150
schutz@uwm.edu

The focus area in Community Engagement and Partnerships introduces students to the wide, interdisciplinary literature about these efforts and provides opportunities to engage with them first-hand.

Our goal is not to provide a “solution” to the many challenges professionals face in facilitating these relationships. It is not clear that there are easy solutions to tensions created by deep inequalities in power and resources, differences in culture and daily experience, and more. Instead, we believe that by providing students with a depth of understanding of the dialogue about these issues in the field and the social, cultural, and economic realities of urban communities, graduates will be able to develop their own solutions to the unique challenges they encounter.

Community engagement and partnership efforts include: Service-learning projects based on college campuses and K-12 schools, Inter-agency partnerships, public-private partnerships, community participation in governance, and social action organizations building community power.

Program Requirements

CFE Core Courses (12 Credits)

Ed Pol 705: Sociology of Education and Community
Ed Pol 750:History of Education in American Communities
Ed Pol 710: Research Methods in Cultural Foundations
Ed Pol 612: Community Power and Participation (Replaces Ed Pol 740)

Community Engagement Core Courses (6 Credits)

Ed Pol 608: Technology & Community
Ed Pol 609: Community Partnerships

Focus Area Course (3 Credits, Select One)

Ed Pol 607: Service Learning and Community Engagement
Ed Pol 606: (712) Popular Education

Electives (6 Credits, Select Two)

Ad Lead 537: Leadership and Management of Volunteer Programs
Ad Lead 617: Leadership in Youth-Serving Organizations
Ad Lead 709: Introduction to Higher Education Administration
Ad Lead 757: Principles and Foundations of Adult Education
Ad Lead 778: Introduction to College Student Personnel Administration
Ad Lead 787: Administration of Adult Education Programs
Comm 665: Introduction to Mediation
Ed Pol 501: Concepts in Community Engagement: Conflict and Change
Ed Pol 601: Foundations of Community Based Organizations
Ed Pol 602: Proposal Writing and Fundraising Skills for Community-Based Organizations
Ed Pol 606: Popular Education (if not taken as focus course)
Ed Pol 610: Reproduction of Minority Communities
Ed Pol 612: Service Learning & Community Engagement (if not taken as focus course)
Ed Pol 633: Community Development for Low-Income and Minority
Poli Sci 473: Public Opinion
Poli Sci 704: Seminar in Nonprofit Organizations
Poli Sci 705: Professionals and Volunteers in Nonprofit Organizations
Poli Sci 791: Nonprofit Advocacy and Public Policy
Urb Plan 655: Negotiation Theory and Practice for Urban Planners

Capstone Project

Ed Pol 605 (507): Action Research on Milwaukee Institutions (3 Credits)

The focus area in Service Learning and Partnerships introduces students to the wide, interdisciplinary literature about these efforts and provides opportunities to engage with them first-hand.

Our goal is not to provide a “solution” to the many challenges professionals face in facilitating these relationships. It is not clear that there are easy solutions to tensions created by deep inequalities in power and resources, differences in culture and daily experience, and more. Instead, we believe that by providing students with a depth of understanding of the dialogue about these issues in the field and the social, cultural, and economic realities of urban communities, graduates will be able to develop their own solutions to the unique challenges they encounter.

Community engagement and partnership efforts include: Service-learning projects based on college campuses and K-12 schools, Inter-agency partnerships, public-private partnerships, community participation in governance, and social action organizations building community power.

Program Requirements

CFE Core (12 Credits)

Ed Pol 705: Sociology of Education and Community
Ed Pol 750: History of Education in American Communities
Ed Pol 710: Research Methods in Cultural Foundations
Ed Pol 612: Community Power and Participation (Replaces Ed Pol 740)

Community Engagement Core (6 Credits)

Ed Pol 608: Technology & Community
Ed Pol 609: Community Partnerships

Focus Area Course (3 Credits, Select One)

Ed Pol 607: Service Learning and Community Engagement
Ed Pol 606 (712): Popular Education

Electives (6 Credits, Select Two)

Ad Lead 537: Leadership and Management of Volunteer Programs
Ad Lead 617: Leadership in Youth-Serving Organizations
Ad Lead 709: Introduction to Higher Education Administration
Ad Lead 757: Principles and Foundations of Adult Education
Ad Lead 778: Introduction to College Student Personnel Administration
Ad Lead 787: Administration of Adult Education Programs
Comm 665: Introduction to Mediation
Ed Pol 501: Concepts in Community Engagement: Conflict and Change
Ed Pol 601: Foundations of Community Based Organizations
Ed Pol 602: Proposal Writing and Fundraising Skills for Community-Based Organizations
Ed Pol 606: Popular Education (if not taken as focus course)
Ed Pol 610: Reproduction of Minority Communities
Ed Pol 612: Service Learning & Community Engagement (if not taken as focus course)
Ed Pol 633: Community Development for Low-Income and Minority
Poli Sci 473: Public Opinion
Poli Sci 704: Seminar in Nonprofit Organizations
Poli Sci 705: Professionals and Volunteers in Nonprofit Organizations
Poli Sci 791: Nonprofit Advocacy and Public Policy
Urb Plan 655: Negotiation Theory and Practice for Urban Planners

Capstone Project

Ed Pol 605 (507): Action Research on Milwaukee Institutions (3 Credits)

In addition to the standard requirements for the CFE degree, students must take:

ED POL 711: Community Engagement for Collective Action (Advanced)
ED POL 612: Community Participation and Power

And at least two of the following courses:

ED POL 508: Problems of Change in Community-Based Organizations*
ED POL 630: Race and Public Policy in Urban America
ED POL 610: Reproduction of Minority Communities
ED POL 688: Fieldwork in Multicultural Education**
AD LDSP 507: Introduction to Group Leadership
AD LDSP 537: Leadership and Management of Volunteer Programs COMMUN 762: Argumentation in Theory and Practice
COMMUN 872: Rhetorics of Constituting Community and Social Controversy
COMMUN 865: Theory and Practice of Mediation

*This course involves attending an external community engagement training program, usually the Midwest Academy.

**An internship arranged at a local community engagement or community participation group arranged with your advisor. Can also be completed internationally as Ed Pol 689.

For More Information

Aaron Schutz
(414) 229-4150
schutz@uwm.edu

Note: Students interested in this focus area should contact either Aaron Schutz (schutz@uwm.edu) or Michael Bonds (mbonds@uwm.edu) to lay out a coherent plan for the focus courses.

CFE Core (12 Credits)

Ed Pol 705: Sociology of Education and Community
Ed Pol 750: History of Education in American Communities
Ed Pol 710: Research Methods in Cultural Foundations
Ed Pol 613: Context and Foundations of Educational Policy (Note: 612 replaces Ed Pol 740 which is normally a core course)

Advanced Policy Practice (6 Credits)

Ad Lead 832: Educational Politics and Policymaking
Ad Lead 842: Program Planning and Evaluation in Education

Quantitative Methods (3 Credits)

Qualifying courses must include multiple linear regression. Acceptable options at UWM include:

Ed Psy 624: Educational Statistical Methods I (every semester)
PoliSci 701: Techniques of Political Science Research (Spring)
UP 740: Data Analysis Methods (Spring)
Soc 979: Methods of Research and Analysis for Urban Social Institutions 1 (Fall)

Note: Other equivalent courses can also fulfill this requirement, as determined by department.

Focus Courses (9 Credits)

Ad Lead 710: Organizational Change and Team Leadership
Ad Lead 862: School Finance
Advanced Statistical Methods Course: To be chosen with advisor
Comm 862: Public Deliberation
Ed Pol 421: Proposal Writing and Fundraising
Ed Pol 561: Education Issues in American Indian Communities
Ed Pol 610: Reproduction of Minority Communities.
Ed Pol 612: Community Participation and Power
Ed Pol 621: History of Native Education and Policy Development
Ed Pol 622: Community Policy Analysis
Ed Pol 625: Race Relations in Education
Ed Pol 630: Race and Public Policy in Urban America
Ed Pol 670: History of Urban Education Reform Policies
Ed Pol 680: Urban Education Policies: Problems and Opportunities
Ed Pol 740: Modern Philosophies of Education and Community
Ed Pol 822: Global Educational Studies
Poli Sci 749: Seminar in American Political Institutions
Poli Sci 751: Seminar in Public Policy Formation.
Urb Plan 832: Urban Policies: Analysis and Alternatives

Note: Other courses may be chosen in conjunction with student’s advisor based on individual student policy interests.

In addition to the standard requirements for the CFE degree, students must take:

Required Course

ED POL 624: Gender and Education

Feminist Theory Elective (3 Credits – Take One of the Following Courses)

ENGL 744: Feminist Critical Theory. 3 cr. G.
ENGL 878: Seminar in Feminist Critical Theory: (Subtitled). 3 cr. G
WMNS 410: Feminist Theory. 3 cr. U/G
WMNS 710: Advanced Feminist Theory. 3 cr. G.

Social Science Elective (3 Credits – Take One of the Following Courses)

COMMUN 803: Gender and Communication. 3 cr. G
ED POL 532 Male Identity: Education and Development. 3 cr. U/G.
GEOG 410: Gendered Geographies. 3 cr. U/G.
HIST 468: The American Feminist Movement. 3 cr. U/G.
HIST 469: Manhood in America. 3 cr. U/G
SOCIOL 444: Sociology of the Body. 3 cr. U/G
WMNS 401: Global Feminisms. 3 cr. U/G
WMNS 500: Advanced Social Science Seminar in Women’s Studies: (Subtitled). 3 cr. U/G

For More Information

Raji Swaminathan
(414) 229-6740
swaminar@uwm.edu

In addition to the standard requirements for the CFE degree, students must take:

ED POL 625: Race Relations
ED POL 626: Antiracist Education

And one of either:

ED POL 612: Community Participation and Power
ED POL 711: Community Engagement and Collective Action (Advanced)

For More Information

Julie Kailin
(414) 229-6623
jkailin@uwm.edu

In addition to the standard requirements for the CFE degree, students must take:

ED POL 581: Overview of Child/Youth Care
ED POL 582: Youth Work Practice
ED POL 585: Supervised Practicum in Child and Youth Care

One of the following two courses:

ED POL 534: Students At Risk (Causes)
ED POL 535: Educating At Risk Students

And the following course:

AD LDSP 617: Leadership in Youth-Serving Organizations

For More Information

Mark Krueger
(414) 229-5797
markkrue@uwm.edu