The Bachelor of Arts in Education for Educational Studies program prepares students to work with children and youth outside of traditional classrooms.

Graduates will gain a versatile degree that qualifies them for a variety of career paths working with children and youth in nonprofit or government organizations, private educational or recreational settings, or as entrepreneurs in children and youth oriented fields. This degree is also a good fit for students desiring post-graduate degrees in education or education-related fields. The Educational Studies program does not lead to teacher certification. 

Students seeking teacher certification should enroll in one of our other Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College undergraduate programs.

The program provides a strong general foundation in education through research and discussion of current issues in education, educational psychology, child development, and education best practices. 

Students will choose an area of emphasis that will be augmented by four semesters of service learning experiences in local agencies and programs.

Become an educator in a variety of careers. Areas of emphasis include:  

• Early Childhood Education – Tempe
• Educational Technology – All campuses
• Environmental Education – Polytechnic
• Games and Impact – Tempe (at Polytechnic, spring '14)
• Learning Outside of School –Tempe
• Physical Activity and Coaching – Polytechnic

For more information about areas of emphasis, talk with your advisor for details.

The program’s motto is “the community is your classroom” because during four semesters, Educational Studies students will be placed in community settings working with children, youth and adults. 

Some of the unique areas of study in the program include critically examining the role of education in a global society, examining the impact of educational programs on diverse populations, and demonstrating an enhanced understanding of how social injustices such as poverty, under-resourced schools, environmental issues and immigration can affect student achievement.

Students also learn how to apply principles of learner motivation in evaluating learning environments, to reflect on the importance of social embeddedness and civic engagement in our community based on their real world experiences, and to make effective decisions based on a sound understanding of legal and ethical issues in education.