Education Studies

Students can be incredibly passionate about education and working with people in all realms of teaching and learning, but do not want to pursue a k-12 certification or state licensure within in the field of education. Education and the study of education has evolved to such extent that students find they want to work in environments that are alternative or non-traditional to the traditional k-12 school. Education Studies prepares students who want to teach in alternative education settings like nonprofit organizations, therapeutic educational settings, museums, private schools, and so forth. Students who choose this major will also focus on an area of concentration or minor in other programs such as theatre, art, philosophy, environmental science, outdoor education, or other. Students in the Education Studies program will also participate in school learning opportunities, develop a strong foundation in educational theory, and enhance their area of teaching by participating in practicum experiences designed to provide them with tangible skills for the field of education. 

Students completing the EDUCATION STUDIES Program will: 

•  demonstrate proficiency in basic skills (reading, writing, viewing, performing mathematical operations, listening, speaking, and use of technology) and critical thinking skills (creative thinking, decision making, problem finding and solving, visualizing, reasoning, and knowing how to learn);  
• develop their personal qualities of responsibility, self‐esteem, sociability, self‐management, integrity, and honesty;  
• work and communicate effectively with others to understand, negotiate, and influence complex systems;  
• create and manage caring learning environments where they are active and responsible citizens;  
• become agents of change who can effectively identify and meet the needs of diverse learners and communities;  
• develop an understanding of and responsibility to the global community;  
• assess and apply knowledge and processes to new situations and problems that they encounter; and  
• reflect on their practice and commit themselves to life‐long learning.

Experiential Education Components of the Education Studies Major: 

At the course level all Ed Studies courses embrace the Experiential Education mindset and maintain a comfortable balance between experiencing, reflecting, learning, and teaching. Many of the courses within the Ed Studies major are enhanced by projects that are grounded in education theory and are grounded in teaching skills development and classroom management beyond the four walls of a classroom. Theories and experiences are aligned through a strong connection to the commitment of experiential education practices.   

Students in their 4th semester or after attaining 45 credits at NEC the Ed Studies majors are expected to design a concentration or declare a minor that complements their goals and passions within the field of education.  This is intentional to supporting a particular content area of education. Such areas can be Early Education, Behavior, Adaptive, Alternative, or content areas such as Environmental Science, Outdoor Education, Communication and so forth.   

In addition to the course work and content areas students are expected to participate in internship or practicum hours. Adventure Bound is a reasonable choice given the work the program does with outside schools in a educational setting that aligns with the core of Educational Studies. The Adventure Bound program is also aligned with the Association of Experiential Education which supports the foundation of the Education Studies major. Students may also develop internships within schools and other educational organizations to gain valuable experience in the field of Education.  

Programs

• Education Studies, B.A.