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MA in Gender Equity Studies College of Education

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About the Behavioral Science Gender Equity Studies Program

As social agents for change in the area of gender equity, students in the Behavioral Science Gender Equity Studies Program learn to directly apply gender equitable teaching techniques in the classroom. These students also educate others in the area of education by being active in policy decision and role modeling gender fair teaching philosophies.

Program Structure

Offering electives in other disciplines helps broaden the graduate student’s knowledge of gender equity issues and assists with the development of the student’s thesis research. Students graduate qualified to educate the academic community on numerous issues in relation to gender equity. One major factor which makes this program significantly unique from other Master’s is that it is the only Masters of Education within the entire 23 campuses in the California State University system that offers a Master’s Degree incorporating gender equity issues and Education.

Courses are offered in the evening for full-time working adults.

The instructors present the course material through live class meetings and guided online discussions. There are out-of-class readings, assignments and fieldwork activities involved with each course. training can be developed based on schools and organizations needs.

Students in GEE

Currently, over half of the graduates are Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers. Other students have backgrounds in various disciplines, including liberal studies, child development, communications studies, vocational education, political science and business administration.

Ideal candidates include:

  • teachers, principals and district administrators
  • counselors and classified school personnel
  • college, university faculty and staff
  • others who work with students in schools
  • public and private agencies personnel

Gender Equity Education Training

In order to be community partners with schools and organizations, faculty and graduates from the Master of Arts in Education, Behavioral Science Gender Equity Studies, offer training and workshops in Gender Equity Education.

Today’s teachers, administrators and counselors have a more diverse population of students than ever before. The Gender Equity Education training to specifically address's the differences between how male and female students interact with one another and the differences in their classroom learning. The training also offers gender equitable teaching approaches, examine gender representations, methods of assessment, and curriculum design.

The Education, Behavioral Science Gender Equity Studies Master's prepares participants to serve as a change agent in areas of gender awareness and inclusion in schools. This training will provide participants new and innovate ways for teachers, administrators and counselors to address the specific needs of male students as well as the specific needs of female students. Throughout the training, participants are exposed to relevant literature and strategies that will expand their depth of knowledge related to the social constructs of gender, identifying and overcoming biases, gender specific curriculum development as well as social issues facing today’s students.

Participants can receive three levels of training: traditional classroom instruction, fieldwork at their school site in the form of a site-level implementation of the rigorous strategies, and a unique distance learning opportunity where discussions take place online. Training can be developed to meet the school or organizations individual needs.

Through the Gender Equity Education training, participants are able to:

  • become site advocates for gender issues and its impact on students and school culture
  • increase schools/organization awareness in gender fair curriculum approaches
  • network with other gender equity professionals
  • exchange best practices, ideas and methodologies with their peers
  • pursue career advancement

Bullying/Harassment Prevention Training

In order to be community partners with schools and organizations, faculty and graduates from the Master of Arts in Education, Behavioral Science Gender Equity Studies, offer training and workshops in Bullying/Harassment Prevention.

Today’s teachers, administrators and counselors face an ever increasing number of students who disclose they have been bullied or harassed by peers. Up to 30% of CA public schools report violent bullying as an issue that must be addressed.

The CA constitution requires students and staff to have a safe environment. Changing bullying and harassing behavior is also addressed in the CA Education Code as well as the CA Penal Code. As educations, we have an obligation to ensure a safe environment for all children. Safe schools become learning environments that are models for other schools.

The training prepares participants to serve as advocates in offering strategies which help in prevention training of harassing/bullying behavior. Additionally, the program provides building blocks of knowledge, skills and practice for each participant to be a successful Bullying/Harassment Prevention Specialist. Participants are exposed to relevant literature and model program strategies while expanding their depth of knowledge and training related to bullying and harassment prevention and school reform.

Participants can receive three levels of pedagogical experience: a traditional instructional setting, a fieldwork school site in the form of a site-level internship at a school implementing these rigorous prevention strategies, and a unique distance learning opportunity where discussions take place online. Training can be developed to meet schools or organizations individual needs.

Through the Bullying/Harassment Prevention training, participants are able to:

  • become school contract person in areas of training teachers, staff, and students
  • help develop positive school culture techniques in areas of inclusion and safety
  • network with other bullying/harassment professionals
  • exchange best practices, ideas and methodologies with their peers
  • pursue career advancement