Major Concentrations

Educational Studies Major Concentrations

Educational Studies majors have the opportunity to select a concentration that aligns with their academic interests and career goals. Concentration courses can be found here.

Curriculum, Instruction & Equity Concentration

Students pursuing the interdisciplinary Curriculum, Instruction & Equity concentration will examine multiple approaches to learning and instruction in a variety of formal and informal community settings. Throughout their coursework, students will engage with Educational Studies core themes and consider questions such as: how does one promote equity in learning environments through instruction and assessment, teaching and learning? And what are the historical contexts for equity in education, and how does knowledge of the history of teaching and learning impact current educational practice? 

Learning Goals

This concentration aims to produce critically engaged educators and citizens who: 

• Design and employ curriculum, instructional, and inquiry practices to promote equity and social justice across educational and community contexts
• Adapt and advocate for practices in a wide range of teaching and learning contexts, communities, and public spaces
• Dedicate themselves to continuous development of academic, practitioner, and community knowledge and skills
• Serve as leaders and change agents in their respective fields
• Contribute to developing a citizenry that is well-informed about complex educational issues

Career Opportunities

Because the Educational Studies major is interdisciplinary and requires 25 credits of electives outside the School of Educational Studies, students are well-equipped to enter a wide variety of professional fields including:

• Educational or youth-support non-profits
• After-school or recreational programming
• Teaching abroad
• Teaching pre-school
• Museum education

Double Major or Minor Opportunities

Many Educational Studies majors pair the Curriculum, Equity & Instruction Concentration with a second major or minor to create a uniquely specialized academic and career-preparation experience. Some common pairings include Educational Studies and:

• Business Administration Minor for a career in workforce development or training
• American & Ethnic Studies; Culture, Literature & the Arts; Global Studies; Interdisciplinary Arts; Physics Minor;  for a career in museum education
• Community Psychology for a career in school psychology, family and youth services, or social work
• Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; or the Ecological Restoration Minor for a career in environmental education or zoo education
• Interdisciplinary Arts for a career in arts education
• Human Rights Minor for a career in advocacy or non-profit or NGO work
• Policy Studies Minor for a career in educational leadership or policy
• Health Studies; the Health Education & Promotion Minor; Health Studies Minor; or Global Health Minor for a career in health education

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Educational Leadership, Policy & Social Justice Concentration

Students pursuing the Educational Leadership, Policy & Social Justice concentration will examine ways in which social institutions and public, private, and non-profit organizations contribute to educational policy and impact social justice. Throughout their coursework, students will engage with Educational Studies core themes and consider questions such as: what are the historical contexts for equity in education and society more broadly? And how does one apply educational research to the complex challenges of a multicultural society to affect transformational change? 

Learning Goals

This concentration aims to produce critically engaged educators and citizens who:

• Develop and advocate for policies that promote equity and social justice across educational, community-based and public contexts
• Serve as leaders and change agents in their respective fields
• Contribute to developing a citizenry that is well-informed about complex and intersectional educational issues

• Collaborate with local and global communities in examining and responding to educational and societal challenges

Career Opportunities

Because the Educational Studies major is interdisciplinary and requires 25 credits of electives outside the School of Educational Studies, students are well-equipped to enter a wide variety of professional fields including:

• Law, legislation, and public policy
• Higher education
• Community organizing & advocacy
• Educational or social justice non-profits

Double Major or Minor Opportunities

Many Educational Studies majors pair the Educational Leadership, Policy & Social Justice Concentration with a second major or minor to create a uniquely specialized academic and career-preparation experience. 

Some common pairings include Educational Studies and:

• American & Ethnic Studies; the Diversity Studies Minor; Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies; the Human Rights Minor; or Society, Ethics & Human Behavior for a career in advocacy or community-based, philanthropic, or social justice nonprofit organizations
• Community Psychology; Health Studies; or the Health Studies Minor for a career in family and youth services, community organizing, or social work
• Global Studies; the Human Rights Minor; Law, Economics & Public Policy, or the Policy Studies Minor for a career in law, education policy or leadership, non-governmental organizations, or local, state, and federal government