Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity

Stonehill's Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity (DEI) prepares educators who keep social justice, equity and democratic education at the center of their practice.

Fully online and hybrid options available.

Program Type Graduate & Professional Studies
Degrees Offered M.Ed.
Mode of Study Online, Hybrid

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Request Info Apply by Jan 1

Upcoming Application Deadlines

  • Spring Semester: January 1, 2025
  • Summer Semester: May 1, 2025
  • Fall Semester: August 1, 2025

Earn Your Master's in Education with a Specialization in DEI

The M.Ed. in Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity program prepares teachers to be leaders and critical thinkers. Schools today are complex and diverse communities — reflecting a landscape rich with individual differences. Educators in our program are prepared using a unique combination of theoretical and practical experiences. This approach ensures their ability to create and lead equitable spaces where difference is valued while at the same time preparing them for the realities and challenges of the classroom and the profession.

In this program, students will: 

  • explore educational equity, social justice education and intersectionality
  • identify systems that perpetuate oppression and inequity in education settings inside and outside of schools
  • develop leadership skills to help promote school equity

All students take five core inclusive education courses as well as the coursework for their community education specialization. For the DEI specialization, courses prepare educators to create and lead an inclusive environment for diverse student populations. Our graduate study in DEI also help educators recognize and disrupt inequity and injustice in educational settings.

This program can be completed fully online or with a mix of in-person and online courses.

Why Graduate Teacher Education at Stonehill

  • Focus on educational equity and diversity helps better prepare educators for the modern classroom
  • A core of foundational courses ensures our graduates gain the skills to teach all students
  • Faculty with well-established expertise in field
  • Experiential learning via research, partnership and community opportunities
  • Specialized student support framework guides students through program requirements and career preparation
UPCOMING GRADUATE TEACHER EDUCATION EVENTS AND INFORMATION SESSIONS

Sample Courses

Diversity, Disproportionality & Discipline

EDU 650
This course will examine intersectionality and the complex racial, gendered, and class-based dimensions that perpetuate inequitable environments and opportunities in schools. We will explore critical race theory (CRT) and its theoretical relevance as a framework to examine and challenge disparate educational opportunities for students of color. The course will offer an examination of the policies, procedures, and structures that perpetuate disproportionality and overrepresentation. This course will analyze assumptions about race, gender, and class, as well as how these dynamics play out in U.S. public schooling and history through political, sociological, theoretical, and pedagogical lenses.

Gender Identity, Expression & Sexuality in Schools

EDU 652
This course will examine the complexities of gender, identity, expression, and sexual orientation in schools, as well as how their interrelated dynamics and complexities unfold in the history of U.S. schools to present day. The course will explore the concepts of identity development and school structures that disenfranchise non-binary and LGBTQA+ students and examine constructions of gender identity, sexuality, and equality and binary/nonbinary conceptions. The course will examine inclusivity and exclusion through an examination of gender models, perpetuation of stereotypes, and implicit biases. The course analyzes key conceptual and methodological frameworks of gender, class, sexuality, power, and intersectionality.

Race, Religion, Culture & Language

EDU 653
This course focuses on race, religion, culture, and language through the lens of social justice education. This course will unpack bias and explore the diverse ways in which power and traditional structures intersect with different cultural, social, and religious practices. We will examine strategies for designing and creating safety in classrooms, schools, educational spaces, and communities which honor students’ cultural backgrounds and lived experiences. The course will explicitly examine privilege, equity, and cultural responsiveness in educational spaces.

A Flexible M.Ed. Program Built to Fit Your Life

There are a variety of ways to pursue your degree, including:

  • Part- or full-time
  • On- or off-campus
  • Late afternoon, evening and weekend courses
  • Fully online and hybrid options

Master's students are required to complete 30 to 36 credits.

Studying Education at Stonehill

Stonehill College's graduate teacher education programs prepare educators to lead inclusive learning environments. The College offers master's degree, teacher licensure, community education, and graduate certificate program options, and our focus on educational equity and diversity helps prepare educators for the modern classroom. Our program tenets include anti-oppressive education, social justice education and democratic education, and we work to reflect these principles in all aspects of our work.

Learn more about our graduate teacher education programs.

Schools today must strive to be inclusive environments, and educators in our program are prepared to be leaders in creating equitable spaces where difference is valued.

Graduate Teacher Education at Stonehill

Stonehill College's graduate teacher education programs aim to prepare knowledgeable, reflective, caring and flexible educators who embrace learning, scholarship, community and advocacy in their work. Social justice and democratic education are at the center of our work and underpins all programs, courses and experiences. We believe education can disrupt systems and processes that perpetuate injustice and inequity and embrace diversity and individuality as strengths.

We advance our mission by modeling the creation of democratic spaces in the graduate classroom that reflect equitable, accessible and inclusive learning environments where students' voices and perspectives help to shape the construction and the provision of their learning.

Three tenets guide our program philosophy:

  • Social justice education
  • Democratic education
  • Anti-oppressive education

Graduate Teacher Education Program Outcomes

Our graduates

  • Foster care, connection and community with students, colleagues and families
  • Promote inclusivity, diversity and equity in educational spaces
  • Work to disrupt systems that perpetuate oppression and inequity
  • Embrace teaching practices that foster social justice and democracy
  • Lead by making education accessible for all learners
  • Elevate student voices and perspectives in education
  • Act purposefully to continue to learn and contribute to the profession

Rigorous Academics and the Support to Succeed

Stonehill’s graduate teacher education programs recognize the challenges graduate students face in prioritizing work, family, personal and graduate school commitments. Our Graduate Student Support, Access and Success (SSAS) Framework is designed to support students’ success from program start to finish.

Specifically, this approach provides:

  • A proactive vs. reactive framework for supporting graduate students’ variable needs within their program
  • Clear benchmarks for assessment of candidate readiness

From the admission process to graduation, students have a clear understanding of both expectations and the support available to help them achieve their goals.

Education Department earns endorsement for undergraduate programs

The College is recognized for its commitment to the importance of experiential learning to prepare for future careers in education.

Contact Information

Graduate & Professional Studies Admission

grad@stonehill.edu
508-565-1600
Meehan – 101

Graduate & Professional Studies Admission assists students as they explore graduate and professional opportunities offered at Stonehill College. 

Meet the Director of Graduate Teacher Education

Rebekah C. Louis

Rebekah C. Louis

Assistant Professor/Coordinator of Graduate Clinical Experience, Director of Graduate Teacher Education
rlouis3@stonehill.edu
Duffy 290
Education

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