Community Organizing with AUSM
A Joint Concentration within
the M.S. Cultural Foundations of Education.
The joint MS concentration in Community Organizing is the result of a collaboration between the Department of Educational Policy and Community Studies (EPCS) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) and the Autonomous University of Social Movements (AUSM), a project of the Mexico-US Solidarity Network.
Program Overview
The two-year, thirty-credit program gives students strong theoretical foundations and practical experiences in community organizing, with particular emphasis on:
Political and structural power analysis
Cross-cultural communication skills
Popular education techniques
Race, class, and gender dynamics
Spanish/English fluency
Urban dynamics
Leadership skills
The joint program in community organizing focuses on the theory, practice and context of community organization. The program combines theoretical coursework with hands on practice in the Albany Park Autonomous Center, a largely Latino community center in the heart of an immigrant barrio on the northwest side of Chicago.
Finances
Finances Students will pay for 7 credits during the first two semesters. 3 credits will be offered online and can be taken by all students for the in-state tuition rate. 4 credits will be offered face-to-face at the AUSM in Chicago, and will be billed at either the in- or out-of –state rate depending on the student’s status as determined by University of Wisconsin guidelines, given their required residence in Illinois during the duration of the program.
8 credits are taken during the third semester, three online and five face-to-face at AUSM. In the fourth and final semester will take 8 credits, through one of the following two options: (1) students who choose the thesis option will take 3 credits online and 5 credits face-to-face at AUSM, (2) Students who choose the paper option will take 6 credits online and 2 credits face-to-face at AUSM.
Optional Summer Program
The program includes an optional eight-week Summer program in Mexico studying the context, theory and practice of Mexico’s most dynamic social movements, including indigenous movements in Chiapas, campesino movements in Tlaxcala and housing movements in Mexico City.
Requirements
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete:
30 academic credits
A practicum in the Albany Park Autonomous Center
An optional thesis based on original research conducted in Albany Park in coordination with barrio residents, or a paper.
Core Courses
Ed Pol 705: Sociology of Education (3 credits)
Ed Pol 710: Research Methodologies (3 credits)
Ed Pol 740: Philosophy of Education (3 credits)
Ed Pol 750: History of Education (3 credits)
Community Organizing Concentration Core Courses
(taught by faculty from AUSM)
Ed Pol 688: Community Practicum (1 credit/semester)
Ed Pol 711: Community Organizing—Collective Action for Social Change (3 credits)
Ed Pol 712: Community Organizing Models (3 credits)
Ed Pol 713: Structural/Political Analysis in Community Organizing and Popular Education (3 credits)
Ed Pol 714: Popular Education Theory and Practice (3 credits)
Ed Pol 999: Thesis Seminar (2 credits)
*Students who opt not to write a paper instead of a thesis may substitute any 3 credit course in the Department of Educational Policy and Community Studies during the final semester.
How to Apply
M.S. Cultural Foundations of
Education Master's Concentration
in Community Organizing
An applicant must meet the Graduate School requirements as outlined by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, plus submit the following documents:
Completion of the UW Sytem online application to the Cultural Foundations MS program(The Community Organizing Master's is a joint concentration with the Cultural Foundations MS program)
Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can testify to the applicant’s academic potential. The letters should be submitted simultaneously to the UWM Department of Educational Policy and Community Studies (address below) and the AUSM.
A written statement of educational and life goals, with a description of any previous experiences in community organizing or related work. The statement should be submitted simultaneously to the UWM Department of Educational Policy and Community Studies and the AUSM.
A short application containing basic student contact information submitted to AUSM.
An interview, either by telephone or in-person with AUSM staff.
All admitted students must be accepted by both AUSM and UWM.
AUSM address:
Email: AUSM@mexicosolidarity.org
UWM address:
Department of Educational Policy and
Community Studies at UWM
P.O. Box 413
Milwaukee, WI 53201
Email: epcs@uwm.edu
