Educational Studies

The Bachelor's in Educational Studies (BAES) degree program is designed for those who are passionate about education but desire career flexibility. The program pairs an interdisciplinary foundation of general education courses with an educational studies core that explores cultural studies and identity in education, curriculum and learning theories, educational psychology, child development, and strategies in designing inclusive learning environments. 

Graduates can pursue various roles in education, administration, policy-making, and more, beyond traditional classroom teaching. This program prepares graduates to teach in private schools and to work in other fields such as child advocacy programs, policy-making, government, professional development services, and non-profit organizations. The program is delivered in a blended format with most courses offered online.

Grading Policy

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0. 

Program Learning Outcomes 

  1. A comprehensive understanding of various educational theories and their practical applications. This includes knowledge of different teaching methods, learning styles, curriculum development, and assessment strategies.

  2. The necessary critical thinking skills and knowledge to analyze and evaluate educational policies and systems at local, national, and global levels.

  3. In-depth knowledge of the historical, sociopolitical, and economic factors that shape education systems and their impact on different populations.

  4. Strong communication and leadership skills, enabling students to effectively convey ideas, collaborate with others, and lead initiatives in educational settings.

  5. The ability to advocate for educational change and to work effectively with diverse groups of people, including students, educators, policymakers, and community members.

  6. Demonstrate high standards for professional conduct.

  7. Apply research to improve educational practice, broadly defined.

Requirements 

Foundation Requirements
PSY 101Principles of Psychology3
TEP 207Foundations of American Education3
TEP 222Child and Adolescent Development for Teachers3
or TEP 223 Adolescent Development for Teachers
TEP 224Exceptional Child for Teachers3
TEP 227Educational Psychology for Teachers3
TEP 305Technology For Teaching3
TEP 315Classroom Community and Belonging3
TEP 318Curriculum Theory and Development3
Core Courses 143
Science & Systems (Choose 2)
ECCE: Introduction to Environmental Education
Leadership And Motivation
Psychology of Motivation
Applied Behavior Analysis
Methods of Elementary Science
Science Methods for Middle and Secondary Grades
The System's Response to Child Maltreatment
Technology (Choose 2)
Photography I
ECCE: Business, Ethics, and Society
ECCE: Creative Writing, Publishing, and Community
Writing in New Media
Digital Technologies in English Studies
Mapping our Physical and Social World
ECCE: Social Health Care Informatics
Principles of Management Information Systems
Music, Technology, and Culture
Logic
Technology For Teaching
Special Interest (Choose 2)
Juvenile Delinquency
Issues of Intervention: Law Enforcement and Human Services
Psychology of the Offender
Justice and Juveniles
Introduction to Public Relations
Small Group Communication
Gender Communication
ECCE: Intercultural Communication
Nonverbal Communication
Conflict Management
Child Abuse And Neglect
Social Responsibility and Ethics: Corporate and Public
Childhood Trauma: Risk and Resiliency
Public Policy Fundamentals
Careers in the Helping Professions
ECCE: Teen Talk Classic: Stories of Culture and Adolescence
Communication (Choose 2)
Leadership and Management of Public Organizations
Family Psychology
Content Area Literacy Methods
Methods of Elementary Reading and Language Arts
English Methods for Middle and Secondary Grades
Global Child Advocacy Studies
Behavioral Science (Choose 2)
Managing Organizational Behavior
Introduction to Public Service Management
Cognitive Psychology
Psychology of Gender
Psychology of Learning and Memory
Methods of Elementary Social Studies and Humanities
Social Studies Methods for Middle and Secondary Grades
Perspectives on Child Maltreatment and Advocacy
Analytics (Choose 2)
Research Methods in Psychology
Careers in the Helping Professions
Psychology of Music
Psychological Testing
ECCE: Teen Talk Classic: Stories of Culture and Adolescence
Early Childhood and Elementary Math Methods
Mathematics Methods for Middle and Secondary Grades
Electives (300 level or above)6
Internship Requirements 24
ECCE: Internship Applied Learning 3
Educational Studies Senior Seminar 4
Total Hours77
1

Students choose two courses each from six different core categories. Course work not listed above can be petitioned to count in different core categories

2

The internship and senior seminar must be taken together during the final semester of course work.

3

All undergraduate students are required to take a minimum of 10 hours of Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) course work in the areas of U.S. Communities, Global Awareness, Engagement Experience, and ECCE Speaker Series. Students seeking the BAES degree are required to take IPL 300 as a part of this requirement.

4

Students in the BAES degree program will complete a culminating internship in an appropriate venue such as a school setting, state or government agency, health care facility, business, or non-profit organization. The experience, coupled with an internship seminar (TEP 491) offers students structured opportunities to integrate knowledge, practice and reflection in the context of an engaged citizenship experience and meet the university's requirement for engaged learning experience. The Internship will be developed and managed in coordination with the UIS office of Internships and Prior Learning.