The B.A. program in Educational Studies seeks to prepare students for potential careers in various educational settings, such as school counseling and special education, or in other nonprofit or governmental agencies. Students who complete these programs are also well positioned for graduate study leading to a teaching credential and/or to an advanced degree in the areas of education, psychology, social work or law.
The coursework will cover learning and cognition, especially as they relate to the teaching profession. Students will do coursework on the art and practice of teaching as well as curricular design. The program also includes an emphasis on child development and the translation of psychological theories into educational practice. Some of the specific topics covered will focus on how students acquire information, how theories of learning and cognition can help guide teaching, how cognitive skills change as children develop, basic theories of child development, and special issues that affect children’s learning such as learning challenges, autism or child abuse experiences. Graduates of this program can easily proceed to graduate study for a teaching credential as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Arts in Education (MAED) or graduate degrees in other related fields.
