College of Education

Equity and Anti-Racism

Students raising their hands in a library

Quick Facts

The MA/MS in Curriculum and Instruction at Portland State University is grounded in social justice research and encourages students to reflect on their own professional path. The Equity and Anti-Racism specialization is intended to give teachers the tools and opportunities to reflect on their racial identity and their identities’ influence on their work in the educational system. The course work of the Equity and Anti-Racism focus helps educators to create a more just and equitable school system. We offer a variety of professional development to fit the needs of individual teachers and to give them a choice and guidance in their professional development on equity and anti-racism in schools.

Program Coordinator

Bernd Ferner
fernerb@pdx.edu
503-725-4619

Admissions Advisor

Tatiana Nochevnaya
askcoe@pdx.edu
503-725-9786*
Book an appointment

*You can text me!

Program Benefits

  • Select from electives that are interdisciplinary, specifically designed to understand
    • How worldview and prior experiences affect perceptions and expectations and to recognize how these may bias behaviors and interactions
    • Institutional and cultural forms of oppression, including schools which are organizations/institutions within a historical, cultural, political, and social context.
  • Acknowledge cultural, linguistic, and institutional privileges attached to “whiteness” in the US.
  • Develop an understanding of classroom guidance based upon principles of community building and culturally relevant pedagogy.
  • Use a critical perspective to examine power relations and issues of social justice in the classroom community

Program Specifics

  • Enjoy convenient, hybrid scheduling for working professionals, including hybrid, remote, and online learning environments where students learn individually and in groups
  • Can be integrated into a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction
  • Courses are taught by the experts in the field

About the program

Are you a K-12 teacher, teacher leader, and/or coach who is looking for professional development opportunities? The course offerings are relevant to  equity and anti-racism in classrooms and schools. This specialization helps professionals to take action toward more equitable practices in education.

If so, you will benefit from this 15-credit program. Its content is centered around ways to bring positive school changes and aligned with the standards of equity and anti-racism education. Cover topics such as positive communication strategies, LGBTQ advocacy, curriculum and culture, equity and anti racism, teacher leadership,  and assessment. You will have the flexibility of an online program. Take 15 credits to complete the certificate. You may also count these credits towards a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction.

Our graduates

Become a:

  • Teacher leader
  • Instructional coach
  • Teacher mentor 
  • Teacher professional development specialist
  • Curriculum developer
  • Social justice advocate

Why PSU?

PSU has a commitment to sustaining a vibrant and connected learning community that includes students of color, LGBTQ, and indigenous peoples. Fitting within that mission, the Equity and Anti-Racism certificate curriculum is grounded in social justice research and prepares educators to respond to increasingly diverse classrooms.