Degrees and Programs

Educational Studies

As a student of educational studies, you will broaden your knowledge and hone valuable skills, whether or not it is your goal to be a teacher. As a student in this area, you will examine the processes involved in teaching and learning in courses about topics such as learning theories or social context, as well as be exposed to practical applications such as technology in the classroom and curriculum development.  Through your examination of current issues, innovations and research, you will build a foundation of historical, philosophical, sociological, political, multicultural and gender perspectives in relation to education. You will sharpen your skills in writing and research and critical reading and thinking, as, together with a faculty mentor, you create a program to meet your specific needs and goals

Why a degree in educational studies?

Students often pursue a concentration in educational studies in order to prepare for:

  • early-childhood education and program administration
  • teaching or training programs for adults
  • workforce development
  • community education
  • international training and development
  • advanced study in education or in other fields
  • work developing children's programs
  • a Master of Arts in Teaching
  • research in education
  • a role in policymaking
  • work in educational settings.

Degrees Available

As a regionally accredited college of the State University of New York, Empire State College offers the following degrees in educational studies:

  • Associate of Arts
  • Associate of Science
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Science

Taking individual courses as a nondegree student is also possible and will offer you the same range and depth of courses and rigorous standards as matriculated undergraduate students.

Teacher Preparation

Note: Empire State College does not have a registered teacher-certification program at the bachelor's level.

Popular Concentrations

  • adult education
  • early-childhood education
  • educational psychology
  • learning communities
  • lifelong learning
  • sociology of education
  • training and staff development
  • teaching strategies
  • family education
  • instructional technologies.

You can focus on a single area such as early-childhood education, or create an interdisciplinary concentration that connects or combines perspectives exploring a theme or topic.

Sample Degree Programs

The following illustrate what a degree program might look like. As a student, you will work with a mentor to design a degree plan that meets your educational goals.

Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read the degree plans. If Acrobat Reader is not installed on your computer, you can download it for free from Adobe.