Education Studies
About
Are you inspired to make a difference in the lives of others? In your community? In the world? Have you ever considered how education, broadly defined, contributes to the advancement of human culture, the preservation of the natural world, the inclusiveness of organizations, and the health and vitality of democracy?
The Education Studies major addresses these questions and provides you with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions you need to excel in a variety of career fields while simultaneously contributing to the common good.
The Education Studies major at Saint Michael’s College:
Engages students in the questions: What is the role of education in a democracy? How does education change the lives of individuals? What does education look like outside of formal school settings?
Enables students to develop the expertise necessary to be successful in a range of educational careers, or, for some, to begin their pathway to become licensed teachers.
Prepares students to take the lead in creating more inclusive, just, and sustainable communities.
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The Education Studies major is an opportunity for students to study required core foundation courses that focus on areas of child and adolescent development, curriculum and inclusion. Students will then select one of five concentrations, culminating with two internships and the Senior Seminar.
All Education Studies Majors will select a second major in the liberal arts or sciences or a minor (in consultation with an Education advisor).
Sample Four Year Plan for Education Studies Majors (semesters may vary)
Fall
Education in the 21st Century
First Year Seminar
CORE Curriculum Course
Course for second major
Spring
Child Development OR Adolescent Development
CORE Curriculum Course
Course for second major
Fall
Education Studies Course 1 *selected with advisor
Secondary Curriculum
CORE Curriculum Course
Course for second major
Teaching Social Studies and the Arts (fall or spring)
Spring
Teaching Social Studies and the Arts (fall or spring)
CORE Curriculum Course
Course for second major
Fall
Teaching in an Inclusive Elementary School OR Teaching in an Inclusive Middle and High School
Education Studies Course II *selected with advisor
Course for second major
Spring
Education Studies Course III *selected with advisor
Course for second major
Fall
Part 1 of Field-Based Internship
Senior Seminar for second major
Course for second major
Spring
Part 2 of Field-Based Internship
Senior Seminar in Education
Course for second major
Education Studies majors will be expected to choose from one of six concentrations.
Students will choose 3 courses from the following, depending on their concentration:
Special Education (choose 3)
- Literacy in Elementary Classrooms
- Second Inclusive Classroom course (junior/senior year only)
- Social/Emotional Development
- Math & Diversity
Early Childhood (choose 1)
- Children’s Literature
- Literacy in Elem. Classroom
And completes the following required courses in junior/senior year:
- Early Childhood Foundations
- Early Childhood Methods
Language & Cultural Studies (choose 3)
- Children’s Literature
- Teaching Math
- Intro Language & Linguistics
- Structure of English Language
- Languages of the World
Environmental Education (choose 3)
- Children’s Literature
- Making Meaning
- Teaching Science/Engineering
- Coach as Educator
- Environmental Education
Museum/History Education (choose 3)
- Making Meaning (junior/senior year only)
- Arts: The Creative Process
- Multicultural Arts
- Heroes, Art, & Social Studies
- Integrating Art, Social Studies, & Language Arts
Educational Policy (choose 3)
- From Action to Assessment (junior/senior year only)
- Economics of Education
- Managerial Ethics
- Management
- Introduction to American Government
- American Constitutional Law
Faculty
Environmental Studies and Science
Kristyn Dumont Achilich
Director of the Center for the Environment; Instructor of Environmental Studies & Sciences
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Education
Claudine Bedell
Associate Professor of Education; MAT Co-Coordinator; Curriculum and Instructional Design Coordinator
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Education
Benjamin White
Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics, Director of MATESOL Program
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Education
Amy Saks Pavese
Director of Graduate Education; MAT Co-Coordinator; Arts Concentration Coordinator; ELL Licensure Coordinator
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In Depth
The Education Studies major is an opportunity for students to study required core foundation courses that focus on areas of child and adolescent development, curriculum and inclusion. Students will then select one of five concentrations, culminating with two internships and the Senior Seminar.
All Education Studies Majors will select a second major in the liberal arts or sciences or a minor (in consultation with an Education advisor).
These six concentrations are:
- Early Childhood Education – Are you motivated to make a difference in the lives of young children and their families? This concentration provides you with the opportunity to examine the multifaceted needs of young children and values of early childhood education, preparing you to work with children ages three to eight and their families.
- Education Policy – Is education a human right or is it a commodity? This concentration explores how governmental actions can reconcile the needs of society and individuals at a time when technology is challenging the traditional structures of schooling.
- Environmental Education – Are you interested in taking a leadership role to raise ecological awareness? This concentration is designed to help you integrate knowledge of the environment with strategies and skills to work with children and young adults in nature or science centers.
- Language & Cultural Studies – Are you curious about the role of language and culture in education? This concentration explores foundations of linguistics and language acquisition, the social and cultural dimensions of language, and the experiences of English learners and new Americans.
- Museum/History Education – Do you have a passion for or a curiosity about museums or cultural centers? This concentration offers you the skills and experience on how to bring collections of art and artifacts alive for children and adults matching pedagogy with practical internships.
- Special Education – Do you have an interest in supporting and educating children and youth with disabilities? In this concentration, you will develop the skills and dispositions associated with creating inclusive communities and changing the lives of all students both in schools and in the broader community.
In Depth
The Education Studies major is an opportunity for students to study required core foundation courses that focus on areas of child and adolescent development, curriculum and inclusion. Students will then select one of five concentrations, culminating with two internships and the Senior Seminar.
All Education Studies Majors will select a second major in the liberal arts or sciences or a minor (in consultation with an Education advisor).
These six concentrations are:
- Early Childhood Education – Are you motivated to make a difference in the lives of young children and their families? This concentration provides you with the opportunity to examine the multifaceted needs of young children and values of early childhood education, preparing you to work with children ages three to eight and their families.
- Education Policy – Is education a human right or is it a commodity? This concentration explores how governmental actions can reconcile the needs of society and individuals at a time when technology is challenging the traditional structures of schooling.
- Environmental Education – Are you interested in taking a leadership role to raise ecological awareness? This concentration is designed to help you integrate knowledge of the environment with strategies and skills to work with children and young adults in nature or science centers.
- Language & Cultural Studies – Are you curious about the role of language and culture in education? This concentration explores foundations of linguistics and language acquisition, the social and cultural dimensions of language, and the experiences of English learners and new Americans.
- Museum/History Education – Do you have a passion for or a curiosity about museums or cultural centers? This concentration offers you the skills and experience on how to bring collections of art and artifacts alive for children and adults matching pedagogy with practical internships.
- Special Education – Do you have an interest in supporting and educating children and youth with disabilities? In this concentration, you will develop the skills and dispositions associated with creating inclusive communities and changing the lives of all students both in schools and in the broader community.
