Being a graduate student at SUA was the most self-transforming process I have had in my whole life. I truly felt valued by each one of the professors, and I could authentically be 100% myself.
–Felipe Ken Iti Iwahashi da Silva M.A. ’25
Graduate Studies
Education is where meaningful change begins.
The M.A. in Educational Leadership and Societal Change is a two-year graduate program for educators and emerging leaders who believe educational institutions and structures can help build more just, peaceful, and equitable communities worldwide.
This master’s degree is not a teacher credential program. Instead, you’ll examine how educational systems shape society, explore the history of education across cultures, and develop the research skills to be an informed and ethical leader. Graduates leave prepared to challenge the status quo through classroom instruction, school administration, curriculum design, community organizing, policy research and advocacy, and a wide range of related fields.
What you'll study
The curriculum is built around semester-length and courses as well as independent study and field research. Course topics include:
- History and Philosophy of Education
- Psychology of Education
- Law, Policy, and Ethical Decision-Making
- Societal, Organizational, and Institutional Change
- International and Comparative Education
How the program works
In a small, diverse cohort, you'll work directly with faculty who bring real experience as teachers, researchers, and policy advocates into every seminar. All classes meet during the day, on campus, and in person. You’ll learn how to conduct rigorous academic research that can draw lessons for contemporary educational policies and practices.
Built to support you
Financial support
Scholarships and assistantships, including the Graduate Merit Scholarship and the Soka Graduate Grant, are available to admitted students.
Faculty
A 4:1 student-faculty ratio means real mentorship is a core part of the graduate student experience.
Housing
On-campus housing is available for graduate students on the fourth floor of Umoja Hall, where students have a private room with an adjoining bathroom shared with one suite mate.
Professional development
Students present original research at national and international academic conferences. Past cohorts have traveled to Washington, D.C., Vancouver, Atlanta, Mexico City, San Francisco, and Chicago.
Built to support you
Financial support
Scholarships and assistantships, including the Graduate Merit Scholarship and the Soka Graduate Grant, are available to admitted students.
Faculty
A 4:1 student-faculty ratio means real mentorship is a core part of the graduate student experience.
Housing
On-campus housing is available for graduate students on the fourth floor of Umoja Hall, where students have a private room with an adjoining bathroom shared with one suite mate.
Professional development
Students present original research at national and international academic conferences. Past cohorts have traveled to Washington, D.C., Vancouver, Atlanta, Mexico City, San Francisco, and Chicago.
Where graduates go
Soka M.A. alumni become leaders in research, policy, and curriculum design. Some examples of what they’ve done after SUA:
- Ph.D. in education policy and planning, University of Texas at Austin
- Ph.D. in sociology, New York University
- Ph.D. in education and social work, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Master’s program in education data sciences, Harvard University
- Director of curriculum innovation, National Geographic Society
- Partnership specialist, World Bank Group
- Co-founder and chief education officer of a nonprofit organization in Nepal
- Teacher at École Teueikan, a pre-K to secondary school serving the Innu First Nation in Quebec City
- District assessment system architect, Chicago Public Schools
- Project assistant, UNESCO Nairobi, Kenya
Recent thesis topics
Our graduate students pursue research that crosses borders, challenges norms, and envisions new possibilities for education and leadership.
Here’s a look at some of their recent thesis topics:
- Global Citizenship: Fostering Global Leaders Through the Power of Education
- Climate Justice, Indigenous Liberation, and Right of Nature
- Intercultural Dialogues in War History Curriculum: Promoting Peace
- The Integration of Refugees into the German School System: Challenges and Barriers
- Financial Literacy and Poverty Reduction in Ghana: A Comparative Study
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Sports and Educational Leadership: Representation of New York Asian Americans in School Sports
Start your research here
This program is for scholars who see education as a path to global equality, justice, and sustainability. If this resonates, we’d love to hear from you.