社会文化研究的工作以反思性实践，专业成长，民主行动和个人责任为原则。该证书的总体目标是培养具有理论根据的领导者，他们具有对社会和文化问题的批判性理解，以便在各自机构的机构内进行组织，课程和教学改革。社会文化研究计划的任务是批判性地研究教育与社会之间的关系。从社会学，历史，政治和哲学的角度出发，社会文化研究的课程和研究特别强调分析由种族，性别，社会阶层，文化，种族，语言和性取向等因素产生的多样性和社会不平等。 。这个研究领域为学生提供了独特的机会来制定以知识为基础和对社会负责的教育理念，这些理念将关于人性，
Students who earn a Certificate in Social and Cultural Studies will have successfully completed six courses from at least three disciplinary approaches (history, philosophy, sociology).<br>The mission of the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies is to prepare ethical and reflective practitioners, researchers, and scholars for work in K12, higher education, and other educational settings. Through teaching and outreach, the department strives to promote the values, knowledge, and skills needed to improve education in the state and across the region, and, through the scholarly activities of its faculty and students, to advance a national research agenda. Leadership in all areas requires an understanding of curricular, instructional, supervisory, and administrative processesas well as an awareness of the ever-changing social, political, legal, moral, and economic contexts of education. In line with the College's conceptual framework, programs offered through the department meet these challenges by addressing the themes of student and community, disciplinary and pedagogic expertise, technology and assessment, collaboration and lifelong learning, and democracy and diversity. We respect diversity, honor difference, and promote social justice. The department also maintains an ongoing, open dialogue about educational improvement through its association with various federal, state, and local educational agencies and professional organizations.