College of EducationCSPrograms Overview

Progressive Philosophy and Pedagogy

MEd Curriculum Studies

Typical Length 2 years

Delivery Summer Hybrid, Hybrid

Nationally Accredited

The MEd-CS, Progressive Philosophy and Pedagogy is a 30-credit track designed for educators and scholars from diverse disciplines and contexts, who are interested in building our collective capacity for creating a better future society for today’s children.

  • Unique to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM), this program is grounded in Hawai‘i’s long and rich progressive education movement and is built upon the UHM College of Education’s partnerships with a number of local schools and organizations, who are bringing the theories and practices of early progressive educators into the twenty-first century.
  • Experiences in the program are framed around:
    • synchronous distance learning seminars for working professionals
    • opportunities for long-term residences in partner schools
    • and a two-week immersive summer experience
  • Grounded in an “intellectually safe philosophical community of inquiry” learning model, participants wrestle with real-world problems first hand, critically examine the progressive education movement and its relevance to Hawai‘i, and collaborate to carry forward the larger project of social justice.
  • At the program’s completion, participants submit a portfolio that demonstrates individual and collective progress around the program’s core values of: experience, inquiry, dialogue, action, and reflection.
  • In addition to earning a Masters in Curriculum Studies, program completers will also earn a UHM College of Education Philosophy for Children Hawai‘i Endorsed Certificate.

“As a society becomes more enlightened, it realizes that it is responsible not to transmit and conserve the whole of its existing achievements, but only such as make for a better future society. The school is its chief agency for the accomplishment of this end” (Dewey, 1916, p. 20).

Who should consider this program

Formal and informal educators, scholars, and community members who are interested in the potential of progressive philosophy and pedagogy to both enhance their own professional practice and create socially just systems for the promotion of a diverse democracy.

Learn more about progressive philosophy and pedagogy in Hawaiʻi on our blog and visit us on Twitter.

Common Careers

Graduates are recognized for their advanced knowledge and expertise in progressive philosophy and pedagogy. They are prepared to be leaders in school and community settings. Additionally, they are eligible to teach and lead at the community college or university level.

Admission Requirements

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 program.

An Undergraduate Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

A transcript from each post-secondary institution attended.

A written statement of objectives as part of your application.

Your resumé or CV.

Three (3) letters of recommendation

Applicants who are not native English speakers may need to take the TOEFL or IELTS (Academic) tests. For more information view the Graduate Division website.

International students that have been admitted are required to submit a copy of their Identification documents (i.e. Passport or Identification Card)

International applicants need to show proof of sufficient funding to cover all educational and living expenses


How to Apply
Application Deadlines
Starting Semester early Admission General Admission
Fall N/A March 1

Next admission is for Fall 2024; applications will open in Fall 2023

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.


How to Apply
Tuition & Funding

Courses are offered through Outreach College and regular day school. Depending on how the course is offered, participants pay either the UHM regular or Outreach College per-credit course rate and fees.

For the most current information, always refer to the Graduate Division website, UHM regular Tuition & Fees or UHM Outreach College Tuition & Fees.

Financial assistance may be found at:

Delivery & Format

The MEd-CS Progressive Philosophy and Pedagogy track is a cohorted program. Students take two courses each semester for five semesters: Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Spring.

  • Fall: students take two online courses delivered via the ZOOM e-classroom system, requiring a computer with microphone and speaker as well as a reliable internet connection. The great majority of instruction is synchronous, where everyone is online “live” together. Students are also encouraged to attend and present at the national Progressive Education Network Conference.
  • Spring: students take two online courses delivered via the ZOOM e-classroom system.
  • Summer: students take two courses; at least one of the courses will take place “in person” (i.e. face-to-face) in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, over a two week period.
  • Fall: students take two online courses delivered via the ZOOM e-classroom system.
  • Spring: students take two online courses delivered via the ZOOM e-classroom system

Throughout the program students are encouraged to spend longer periods of time/residencies in and with the program’s partner schools and organizations (e.g. Hanahau‘oli School and UHM’s Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education’s “model schools”). We invite students to engage in as many face-to-face field experiences at these partner schools and organizations, as their schedule permits.

Coursework

The MEd-CS Progressive Philosophy and Pedagogy track is a 30-credit graduate program consisting of the following:

Core Courses
Required Core Courses:

  • EDCS 622G: Curriculum Leadership (3)
  • EDCS 606: Introduction to Research (3)
  • EDCS 632: Qualitative Research Methods (3)
  • EDCS 667G: Seminar in Curriculum Issues (3)

Required Courses:

  • PHIL 492: Philosophy with Children (3)
  • PHIL 493: Teaching Philosophy (3)
  • EDCS 630: Cultural Diversity in Education (3)
  • EDCS 640M: Seminar in Interdisciplinary Education (3)
  • PHIL 725: Seminar in Philosophical Topics (3)
  • EDCS 695: Plan B Master’s Project (3)

Culminating requirements:

Students complete a Plan B Paper/Project: Progressive Philosophy and Pedagogy Portfolio.

Progressive School Partners
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
Photo of Amber Makaiau

Amber Makaiau

Specialist

Photo of Chad Miller

Chad Miller

Specialist