MEd Interdisciplinary Education, Curriculum Studies
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Stipends Available
The Interdisciplinary MEd Place Based and Sustainability Education is a 30-credit partially cohorted program for formal and informal educators from any field interested in place-based, culurally sustaining teaching and learning in the ahupua‘a and cultures of Hawai‘i’s students as well as the places and cultures of continental and global students. This program is based on Next Generation Science Standards and Nā Hopena Aʻo, the Hawai‘i Department of Education framework “to develop the skills, behaviors and dispositions that are reminiscent of Hawaiʻi’s unique context, and to honor the qualities and values of the indigenous language and culture of Hawaiʻi.”
Place- and culture-based activities embodying core Hawaiian cultural values of sustainability and ʻāina-based stewardship will develop educators’ culturally grounded competencies to integrate place-based, local, global, Indigenous knowledge, and 21st Century sustainability research into their curriculum and instruction. The program provides a set of sustainability-designated education courses spanning STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medicine), eco-literacies, and cultural diversity. The program is grounded in decades of research funded by the National Science Foundation, Native Hawaiian Education Act, and other awards. Findings reveal that place-based, culturally sustaining professional development that prepares educators to write and teach real-world, personally meaningful, interdisciplinary curricula transfers to their students. Educators’ lessons guide active learning culminating in students actions for healthier, more sustainable and resilient communities and ecosystems. Explore the NSF project website Building upon Kahua Aʻo for lessons, publications, and research.
The Interdisciplinary MEd Place Based and Sustainability Education is aligned with the University of Hawaiʻi’s mission to “achieve global impact by … engagement in world-class research, scholarship and service that promotes the welfare and sustainability of Hawai‘i’s people and environment. Woven through all it does is an appreciation of and commitment to indigenous Hawaiian people, culture, values and wisdom.”
This track will prepare you to:
- teach ecological, cultural and economic issues,
- give students real world learning experiences,
- integrate subjects for problem and project-based learning, and
- collaborate with school and community colleagues.
Financial assistance is available, see “Tuition & Funding” below.
Who should consider this program
PK-20 formal and informal educators interested in developing place-based, interdisciplinary, culturally sustaining curricula oriented to sustainable, resilient communities and ecosystems.
Common careers
Graduates are prepared to be educational leaders in school and community settings. They gain community and curricular mapping strategies that identify community-based educational resources and develop partnerships supporting high context curriculum development. Finally, their research skills support ongoing planning, evaluation and refining of programs that reflect changes in their educational ecosystem.
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Admission Requirements
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Must have graduated from an accredited, four-year institution of higher education recognized by the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM), prior to beginning the MEd, Curriculum Studies: Interdisciplinary: Place-Based Education (Ahupua'a & Watershed) program.
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An Undergraduate Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
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A transcript from each post-secondary institution attended.
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A written statement of objectives as part of your application.
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Your resumé or CV.
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Three (3) letters of recommendation
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Applicants who are not native English speakers may need to take the TOEFL or IELTS, or Duolingo (Academic) tests.
For more information view the Graduate Division website.
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International students that have been admitted are required to submit a copy of their Identification documents (i.e. Passport or Identification Card)
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International applicants need to show proof of sufficient funding to cover all educational and living expenses
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Application Deadlines
| Starting Semester |
General Admission |
International Students Admission |
| Fall |
March 1 |
* |
| Spring |
October 1 |
N/A |
| Summer |
N/A |
N/A |
We are currently not admitting international students residing outside of the US into our hybrid or online programs due to legal and tax implications. For more information, please contact Graduate Division at gradss@hawaii.edu.
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Coursework
The MEd-CS Place Based and Sustainability Education track is a 30-credit graduate program consisting of the following:
- 4 core courses (12-credits)
- EDCS 622G: Curriculum Leadership (3)
- EDCS 606: Introduction to Research (3)
- EDCS 632: Qualitative Research Methods (3) or approved alternative research methods course
- EDCS 667G: Seminar in Curriculum Issues (3)
Minimum 6 specialization courses (18-credits) – required and/or recommended coursework and directed study in specialization track. Courses should be chosen in consultation with advisor.
- Plan A Thesis or Plan B Paper/Project
For a full listing of courses, see the MEd-CS Handbook: Place-based and Sustainability Education.
Advising & Faculty
Our faculty and staff will provide you with guidance and resources to support your success from beginning to end. You will receive a dedicated faculty advisor to partner with you on your journey.
Program Coordinator
