Through participation in thematically related courses, civic engagement experiences, and completion of an integrative capstone seminar and reflective portfolio, students are supported in their preparation for teaching and/or in exploring issues emerging from interactions among contemporary educational systems and broader social, cultural, political, and ethical contexts. Students are further encouraged to integrate their interests in education with continuing academic preparation in a supporting major, in addition to their evolving commitment to social advocacy in diverse forms and settings.

The major consist of thirty-two semester hours approved by the department chair. Students select from two broad emphases: Teaching & Learning or Education & Society, with specific curricular patterns described below.

The major in Educational Studies emphasizing Teaching & Learning is designed to support students interested in entering the teaching profession. As requirements vary by state, graduate program, and focus of teaching interests (age of student, subject matter), carefully tailored personalized advising is provided for students who intend to pursue a teaching license and/or masters degree in teaching upon graduation.

The Teaching & Learning pathway also provides excellent preparation for students intending to enter teaching through programs that do not require state licensing or graduate work such as Urban Teaching Fellows, World Teach, Peace Corp, Ameri-Corp, Teach for America, Montessori or Waldorf training, adult basic education or ESL, museum education, artists-in-residence, community education, etc.