The Education Studies Major is designed to help students acquire a deeper understanding of education and its relationship to society. Through a range of courses across the curriculum, students look critically and analytically at educational institutions, practices, and thinking, from early childhood through adulthood, using local, national, and global lenses. Foundation courses provide a theoretical background on philosophy, history, and psychology of education. Further requirements empower students with the knowledge, tools, and skills for analyzing different aspects of education, on topics such as human development and cognition, pedagogy and curriculum, and sociocultural approaches to the study of education. Students complete a methods course relevant to education studies as well as a practicum experience to gain hands-on experience complementing their academic work.
Students intending to major in Education Studies should simultaneously submit a major request through their WesPortal. It is best to do this as early as possible so that you can receive emails and updates about the major that will help you with academic planning. Students who declare at the canonical time (spring of sophomore year) should simultaneously enroll in EDST101 , the Sophomore Gateway Course, which will be taught in the second half of spring term (4th quarter) every year.
Education Studies is a linked major. It can only be declared and completed in addition to a primary major. There are no restrictions on the choice of a primary major. Students are encouraged to declare the Education Studies Linked Major in the spring of the sophomore year. Late declarations of the Major will be accepted through the spring of the junior year.
