Education Studies
Department | Program | Courses
B.A. Degree with a Major in Education Studies
This degree is designed to introduce students to the meaning and purposes of education, including the nature and purpose of the liberal arts. The program is broadly conceived to acquaint students with a historical view of the academic disciplines, the purposes of the common schools, and the ways in which these relate to the work of teachers in the schools in a democracy. Collateral and elective choices in the major allow students, in consultation with their advisers, to focus on the development of a broad range of content knowledge and understandings that enhance each student’s understanding of the field of education. This major does not lead to teaching certification.
Education Studies majors must meet the criteria established by the Education Studies Department, including a satisfactory education portfolio for admission to and exit from the program. All Education Studies courses include required field experiences in which students must work with children or adolescents. To be accepted and retained in the major, students must demonstrate appropriate qualities of judgment, disposition, and temperament in classroom and field settings.
Students with vocational plans in areas such as religious education, school psychology, child advocacy, art therapy, and the like may consider a double major in Education Studies and the related field.
A major in Education Studies is achieved by the completion of the following requirements (including portfolios), in addition to the General Education and electives required for a degree:
Required Core Courses—EDS 150, 228 (or 227, with permission of instructor), 349, and 490A or 490B or 495. Students also must develop an education portfolio.
Required Distribution and/or Collateral Courses—One of the following three options (none of which will count in the 21 credits outside the major, even if a collateral course):
- Four (4) additional EDS courses, with at least two at or above the 300 level, chosen in consultation with the Education Adviser and consistent with the student’s approved Curriculum Plan; OR
- Some combination of EDS and non-EDS collateral courses, listed below, totaling four (4) courses, chosen as indicated above; OR
- Four (4) non-EDS courses, with at least two at or above the 300 level, chosen from the following list (see note) in consultation with the Education Adviser and consistent with the student’s approved Curriculum Plan. The student will need to take the necessary prerequisites for the 300-level courses.
Alternative collateral courses may be substituted for up to two of the courses on the list below by successful petition to the Education Studies Department. The petition must include a rationale based on the student’s Curriculum Plan..
CFS/WST 207: Family Relations
CFS 217: Parent/Child Relations
CFS 315: Middle Childhood and Adolescence
CFS 350: Family Law and Policy
CFS/WST 366: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Family
PEH 220: Health and Movement Studies for Elementary Educators
PSY 208: Cognitive Psychology with Laboratory
SOC 215: Juvenile Delinquency
THR 218: Drama and Theatre for Teachers
Exploring the Major—Students will begin their Education Studies program with EDS 150 (see course sequencing below). Prior to the first day of the EDS 150 class, students must have completed a state criminal records clearance, which takes 6-8 weeks to be processed. Students will learn about this procedure during pre-registration. While taking EDS 150, students will be assigned an Education Adviser.
Admission to the Major—Grades of B- or higher in EDS 150 and one other EDS course (preferably EDS 227 or EDS 228); a minimum overall GPA of 2.5; demonstration of appropriate qualities of judgment, disposition, and temperament in classroom and field settings; a satisfactory interview that demonstrates genuine commitment to children, teaching, and learning; and a satisfactory Declaration of Major portfolio that includes an annotated resume of experiences with children, including children of the ages with whom the student plans to work; a written reflection that elaborates on one of these experiences; a written reflection on the importance of embracing diversity; a statement of educational philosophy; and a reasoned rationale for choosing the Education Studies major together with a well-developed Curriculum Plan.
Course Sequencing Considerations (in order to complete degree requirements within eight terms)—Students planning to major in Education Studies should take EDS 150 by the second term of the first year or first term of sophomore year. (Multiple sections of EDS 150 are offered each Fall and Spring term.) Students will take the remaining EDS courses in this approximate sequence: EDS 228 (or 227, with permission of instructor), 349, four (4) additional EDS and/or collateral courses, and EDS 490A or 490B or 495.
Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of the Major—In addition to completing specified course requirements and completing an exit education portfolio, each student must satisfy departmental standards for written and oral communication, demonstrated through the portfolio and course work; and demonstrate appropriate qualities of judgment, disposition, and temperament in classroom and field settings.
Other Considerations and Recommendations—Transfer students should contact the Education Studies Department as early as possible because special rules may apply. All Education Studies majors are expected to engage in volunteer experiences with students who are in the age group with which they wish to work.
Curriculum Guide
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