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LSE Program of Study

LSE Curriculum

The LSE program requires the completion of at least 45 credits. This includes:

  • Professional Studies Core (16 credits)
  • LSE Foundational Courses (8 credits)
  • LSE Thematic Specialization (12 credits)
  • Electives (5 credits)
  • Culminating Experience: LSE Comprehensive Exam Course or Thesis (4 credits)

Most courses are offered in the evenings (4-6:30 pm or 6:40-9:20 pm) one night each week. Many courses carry a requirement for 30 hours of Community Based Learning (CBL). Specific requirements for community-based learning are set by the instructor. Students typically take 2-3 courses during each quarter, selecting courses from the professional core, the LSE foundational courses, the LSE thematic specialization and electives. A master’s degree can be completed within a period of 18 months to two years. 

Community-Based Learning

Most ELP courses carry with them a requirement for 30 credit hours of community-based learning. CBL requirements are set by the instructor. Community-based learning can be carried out in a variety of organizations and educational settings across the metropolitan region. LSE students with an interest in school and community gardens often volunteer or intern at the Learning Gardens Laboratory, assisting with classes for middle school students or with other projects. Other students volunteer in educational organizations or for nonprofit organizations. Students are advised to create a plan for their CBL hours that creates a variety of meaningful experiences that supports their future career goals. For more information about CBL, visit the CBL website.

Internships/practicum: local, regional or international

Students have the option of pursing an internship or practicum. Such internships must match the student’s interest, the content of the LSE program, and the host institution’s mission and needs. Internships are arranged on an individual basis and must be approved by the LSE program coordinator as well as the student’s advisor. For international internships, all rules, regulations, policies, and procedures set by the International Studies Office of PSU must be followed.


LSE Program of Study

Click herepdf for course offerings for 2011-2012 academic year.

Professional Studies Core: (16 credits)

Students may complete the professional studies core at any point in their program. However, it is recommended that students complete ELP 520 and ELP 511 earlier in the program.

  • ELP 511 Principles of Educational Research and Data Analysis (4 credits)
  • ELP 520 Developmental Perspectives on Adult Learning (4 credits)
  • ELP 568 Educational Organization and Administration (4 credits)
  • ELP 551 Social Foundations of Education OR ELP 554 Philosophy of Education (4 credits)

LSE Foundational Courses (8 credits)

The following are LSE foundational courses. It is recommended that every student take ELP 550 in their first term of study.

  • ELP 550 Advanced Leadership for Sustainability (4 credits) Fall
  • ELP 517 Ecological & Cultural Foundations of Learning (4 credits) Winter

LSE Thematic Specialization (12 credits)

Students each develop a unique plan of study with their adviser to include three additional courses from the LSE program offerings. Students may develop a program of study in one of the following areas:  

  • Garden-Based Education in Schools and Communities
  • Sustainability Education in Schools, Colleges, Communities, and Organizations 

The following overview of LSE specialty areas serves as a guide to developing a program of study. This is not intended to be prescriptive. Students should work with their adviser to choose courses that best meet their learning and career outcome goals.

Garden-Based education in Schools and Communities:

  • ELP 510 Learning Gardens and Sustainability Education (4)
  • ELP 510 Garden Based Educational Research (4)
  • ELP 519 Sustainability Education (4)
  • ELP 510 Urban Education Farm: Food Policy, Curriculum Design, and Action(4)
  • ELP 510 Permaculture and Whole Systems Design I (4)
  • ELP 510 Permaculture and Whole Systems Design II (4)
  • ELP 509 Internship (4)

Sustainability Education in Schools, Colleges, Communities, and Organizations

  • ELP 548 Global Political Ecology (4)
  • ELP 519 Sustainability Education (4)
  • ELP 501 Theory and Practice of Sustainability (4)
  • ELP 510 Nonviolence and Gandhi’s Educational Philosophy (4)
  • ELP 510 Spiritual Leadership (4)
  • ELP 510 Permaculture and Whole Systems Design I (4)
  • ELP 510 Permaculture and Whole Systems Design II (4)
  • ELP 509 Internship (4)

Electives (5 credits)

Elective credits should be related to the student’s overall program and selected in collaboration with an adviser. Students may enroll in graduate-level courses from within the Graduate School of Education or other departments at Portland State University. LSE students frequently choose electives from Conflict Resolution, Community Development, Geography, Environmental Science and Management, Urban Studies and Planning and more.

Culminating Experience (4 credits)

Candidates for the Master’s degree in LSE must select, in consultation with their adviser, one of the two culminating experiences: LSE Comprehensive Exam Course or Thesis.

The LSE Comprehensive Exam is a writing experience that requires enrollment in ELP 506 LSE Comps (4 credits), taken as Pass/No Pass. Students should have completed a minimum of 35 credits, including the Professional Core Studies, before enrolling in this course. The Comps course will meet 4-6 times during the term to help guide students through the completing of a problem-based paper that demonstrates a satisfactory level of knowledge and skill related to LSE learning outcome areas. Students will present their paper orally in the final meeting of the course.

The thesis option requires enrollment in ELP 503 Thesis for a minimum of 4 credits (but usually requires more). The thesis is likely to require 4-5 quarters of work before the completion of the program. Thesis also requires the appointment of a Thesis Committee of at least 3 faculty members chosen by the student, two of whom must be from ELP.

Students who are opting to write a thesis should plan to include the following research course as part of their program of study:

  • ELP 516: Collaborative Ethnographic Resarch Methods (4 credits)