Selected Studies in Education

Designed for Syracuse University students who are interested in education careers but not necessarily in pursuing teaching certificates, selected studies in education offers a path to a bachelor’s degree through a program tailored to a student’s individual interests and aspirations. This program is ideal for students seeking to play a role in bettering the world. The selected studies in education program does not lead to teacher certification, but enables students who have not yet decided on a teaching career to keep that pathway open by facilitating entrance into a variety of programs offering master’s degrees in teaching. Selected studies in education majors work closely with faculty advisors, who guide them through the program’s core requirements and recommend courses and liberal arts fields that will help them advance their career interests. They will also complete an internship or several intensive learning experiences, and pursue coursework in research and critical inquiry. Students work closely with faculty who are dedicated to the culture of education and to engaging with the process of generating bold concepts and transformative ideas for which the School of Education is known.

Core in Education

Students are required to complete the following core courses in education: EDU 200 (3 cr): Education for Cultural and Social Transformation EDU 300 (3 cr): International Education for Cultural and Social Transformation EDU 310 (3 cr): American School EDU 400 (3 cr): Research and Theory in Education for Cultural and Social Transformation CFE 444 (3 cr).

Individual Focus Areas in Education

Students must choose at least 18 credits of coursework from approved courses in education, based on the thematic interest or career focus chosen within the major. The four focus areas from which to choose are:

1.   Post-Secondary and Human Services Fields

This focus is suitable for students wishing to work in a variety of educational settings including the workplace, higher education, international education, and as non-teaching personnel in primary and secondary schools. Whether students are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in a human services field or in seeking employment immediately after undergraduate studies, this focus area will provide an introduction to the general study and provision of human and social services to individuals, families, and communities in public and private human service agencies and organizations. The focus provides a strong foundation for graduate work in such fields as counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology, and higher education.  **This focus also has the “fast-track” option for students to begin graduate study toward an MS degree in Counseling during their senior year at SU.  Careful planning and advising are necessary for this option to be successful.

2.  Cultural Foundations of American Schooling:  Schooling and Diversity

This focus is suitable for students who may want to pursue any of the following career interests: seek a teaching career at a future point; work with youth in nonschool settings; enter the educational media field; or work in public policy settings that focus on public schooling.

3.  Pre-Teaching:  The Study of Teaching, Learning, and Inclusion    

This focus is suitable for students who may wish to pursue a career in teachingafter completing their undergraduate program. Courses in this focus area mayinclude the study of early childhood, elementary, or secondary education, as wellas issues of diversity, disability, regular education, special education, and inclusionwithin schools. Students in this focus area will have significant experiences inpublic schools during the course of study.

4.  Education, Technology, and Media

This focus is suitable for students interested in educational uses of technology, popular culture, and media production.

5.  Physical Activity: Sport, Coaching and Recreation

This focus is suitable for students who may want to pursue any of the following career interests: Coaching athletes with and without disabilities in college, high school, or youth settings ; officiating sports; personal trainer;  strength and conditioning coach, or group exercise leader;  teaching/coaching youth sports and fitness in non-school settings such as YMCA/YWCA’s, Boy’s and  Girl’s Clubs, and private and public sport/recreational facilities; sport or fitness entrepreneur; a teaching career at a future point. Students interested in this focus area might also want to choose courses from the Pre-teaching focus or the Education, Technology and Media.