Educational Studies Minor

The Educational Studies Minor is an interdisciplinary program designed for undergraduate students with any major who are interested in studying domestic and/or global educational issues. Students will engage in these issues from multiple disciplinary perspectives that will prepare them to work thoughtfully with youth or adults or to pursue policy and research opportunities in a variety of educational settings. Two distinct tracks are offered within the Educational Studies Minor: Global Education and Policy and Equity.

The Minor itself does not lead to a teaching credential. Those interested in initial licensure to teach in K-12 schools are encouraged to apply for admission to elementary, secondary, or special education programs in the School of Education.

Program of Study: Global Education

This minor track helps students understand the impact of globalization and internationalization on education and non-governmental organizations while giving them basic knowledge and skills of learning theory, working with English Language Learners, and global citizenship to promote more equitable educational opportunities. This Minor is intended for students with any major who are interested in researching the education of migrant, immigrant, or refugee groups domestically or abroad; examining the role of governmental or non-governmental organizations and international aid; working with youth or adult education programs outside the United States; or administering international studies programs within secondary or post-secondary education institutions.

Global Education Track

Globalization & Education (3)

EDUC 360 Globalization and Education (3)

At least one course in psychological foundations (3)

EDUC 301 Educational Psychology (3)

EDUC 310 Social, Philosophical, Cultural & Historical Foundations of American Education (3)

EDUC 260 “Truthiness” in Education (3)

Or an alternative Psychology Course

One course in English Language Learning (3)

EDUC 369 Methods in Teaching ESL, PreK-12 (3) (MDLL 345)

EDUC 370 Understanding Language: Second Language Acquisition, Theory, and Practice (3) (or MDLL 346)

EDUC 371 ESL Curriculum Design: Teaching ELLs in the U.S. (3) (or MDLL 347)

Three Elective courses on Globalization (9)

Choose in consultation with an advisor. Courses in Africana Studies, Anthropology, Economics, Education, Government/Public Policy, History, International Relations, Sociology, and other areas may be considered. A credit-bearing internship or research experience could serve as part of the elective credit total.

Global experience (course credit not required)

Students must fulfill at least 40 hours of approved off-campus (domestic or abroad) experiential work on a global education topic (e.g., study abroad or service trip, internship, tutoring, independent field research).

In cases where this experiential work is not done for credit, it must be approved by the program director, and in many cases may be eligible for receiving COLL 300 credit.

With approval of the program director, students may also arrange to receive independent study credit for academic study associated with the required experiential work.

Total Credits: 18

Program of Study: Policy and Equity

The Policy and Equity track of the Educational Studies Minor advances interdisciplinary perspectives necessary for understanding the wide range of challenges facing public education in American society. Courses in this track focus on an analysis of policy and the conditions of schooling at the macro and societal level, as well as an emphasis on examining the impact of educational policy and organizations on people’s lives. Students in these courses will engage in developing strategies to address and counter the consequences and inequities that result from many of these policies and structures. The courses within this Minor share the common assumption that ensuring access to a quality education and opportunities to engage in a democratic (and global) society is central to the individual human condition and the overall collective “good.”

Policy & Equity Track

Or an alternative psychology course

Three elective courses in Policy & Equity Issue (9 credits)

Chosen in consultation with an advisor. Courses in Africana Studies, Anthropology, Economics, Education, Government/Public Policy, History, Psychology, Sociology, and other areas may be considered. A credit-bearing internship or research experience could serve as part of the elective credit total.

Experiential Learning (course credit not required)

Students must fulfill at least 40 hours of approved off-campus experiential work on an education topic (e.g., internship, tutoring, independent field research).

In cases where this experiential work is not done for credit, it must be approved by the program director, and in many cases it may be eligible for receiving COLL 300 credit.
With approval of the program director, students may also arrange to receive independent study credit for academic study associated with the required experiential work.

Academic Catalog