Education Studies, BA
Explore how people learn across classrooms, communities and informal settings.
Understand learning across settings.
Learning takes place in classrooms, outdoor groups, homes and community spaces. Education Studies examines how materials, relationships and expectations shape participation, using observation and reflective interpretation.
You will build an educational resource or study a learning environment, then assess the choices you made. This BA is an academic education studies degree and is not a teacher-licensure pathway.
The degree in view
The BA requires 120 semester credits. The shared core connects your specialized study with writing, evidence, interpretation and public life. An adviser helps you choose electives that fit your interests without losing sight of the degree requirements.
Required courses
EDUC110Learning & Development
Compare accounts of learning and development through observation, reflective writing and analysis of teaching situations. 3 credits. Prerequisites: none.
PSYC110Human Behavior
Introduce major psychological questions through selected studies, research methods and everyday applications. 3 credits. Prerequisites: none.
SOCI110People & Institutions
Use sociological concepts to examine relationships among individuals, institutions and social change. 3 credits. Prerequisites: none.
EDST150Learning in Context
Compare learning experiences across formal and informal settings through observation and reflective notes. 3 credits. Prerequisites: none.
EDST220Observation & Interpretation
Develop observation records, distinguish description from inference and analyze educational interactions. 3 credits. Prerequisites: EDST150.
EDST310Learning Environments
Examine how space, materials, relationships and expectations shape participation in a learning setting. 3 credits. Prerequisites: EDST220.
EDST410Education Project Studio
Develop and revise a learning resource or activity through feedback and a documented evaluation plan. 3 credits. Prerequisites: EDST310.
EDST490Education Studies Capstone
Complete a learning environment inquiry or educational resource with an evidence-based reflective report. 3 credits. Prerequisites: EDST410.
A related-study pathway
One approved related-study pathway; the sample plan uses these six courses. Alternatives require an adviser-approved sequence with the same credit value.
An eight-semester example
The plan below completes prerequisites before the next sequenced course. Breadth electives come from outside the major division; free electives can support exploration or a coherent additional interest. Consult your adviser before changing a sequence.
| Semester | Courses and elective spaces | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 · Fall | WRIT101, COMM105, EDUC110, Breadth elective, Free elective | 15 |
| Year 1 · Spring | PHIL110, HIST120, PSYC110, Breadth elective, Free elective | 15 |
| Year 2 · Fall | WRIT201, LIT130, SOCI110, EDST150, Breadth elective | 15 |
| Year 2 · Spring | ARTS105, QUAN105, EDST220, PSYC150, Breadth elective | 15 |
| Year 3 · Fall | SCIE105, CIVI120, EDST310, OUTD150, Free elective | 15 |
| Year 3 · Spring | ETHI210, GLBL150, EDST410, HLTH150, Free elective | 15 |
| Year 4 · Fall | PSYC220, OUTD220, Free elective, Free elective, Free elective | 15 |
| Year 4 · Spring | EDST490, HLTH220, Free elective, Free elective, Free elective | 15 |
Work toward a capstone
A learning environment study or educational resource grounded in observation and reflective evaluation.
Your proposal sets the scope, method and expected form of the final work. Scheduled reviews give you an opportunity to respond to feedback before a public presentation or exhibition.
A person to plan with
Dr. Helen Tran
Associate Professor, Education Studies
Alder Hall, Room 138
Learning environments, observation and educational equity.
Start an advising conversationConsider your next direction
The degree can support community and organizational roles, research or program support, graduate study in a related field. Career Studio can help you translate project work into a portfolio, a clear account of methods or the preparation for further study.
Explore Career Studio