Education Studies (BA)

Program Description

In this BA program in Education Studies, students explore and examine the broader context of education. They learn how education continuously shapes society and how, in turn, society continuously transforms education. Using powerful tools from public policy, advocacy, and social entrepreneurship, students learn how all members of society can influence education at its many levels, whether in school or non school settings, locally, nationally, and internationally.

Through liberal arts and education core courses, students to gain a broad understanding of education from cultural, historical, sociological, political, and economic perspectives. Students dive deeply into a variety of education issues using approaches that are grounded in the social sciences and humanities, while honing relevant interdisciplinary skills such as writing, communication, and qualitative and quantitative methods of research and analysis.

Learning experientially is a key component of the program. Through study abroad, internships, and senior capstone projects, students gain hands-on experience involving educational change and advocacy.

The major prepares students to work in a broad range of governmental, nonprofit and industry settings as well as for graduate study in law, policy, social sciences, social work, education, and business.

Double Major Opportunities

Education Studies majors may double major in another subject. Depending on the choice of second major, students may need additional courses beyond the 128 credits required for the bachelor’s degree.

A double major with Applied Psychology is available to Education Studies majors.

Dual Degree

The program offers one dual degree, open only to Education Studies majors:

• BA Education Studies/MA Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy

Admissions

New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply. 

Program Requirements

The BA in Education Studies requires the completion of 128 credits, and combines a range of liberal arts courses with study-abroad opportunities. Students complete a senior seminar as their culminating undergraduate experience.

Sample Plan of Study

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Compare and contrast U.S. and international educational practices, especially in urban settings.

2. Explain and discuss the roles of technology, the arts, and media in education.

3. Employ appropriate analytical and research methods for the field.

4. Assess education policy and reform.

5. Develop an interdisciplinary understanding of key issues in teaching, learning and education.

Policies

Program Policies

Department Academic Standards

Successful completion of our department’s undergraduate program requires a strong foundation in theories and methods. Therefore, Education Studies students must also adhere to the following academic standards below:

• Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Students must complete all major core courses with a grade of B- or better.
• Students may not take any major core or area of specialization courses as pass/fail.

Program Academic Policy

All Education Studies students must make progress towards their degree. If a student has the intention of transferring to a different program or department, they are still required to take at least one Education Studies course per semester. If the student is in the program and not taking Education Studies courses, they will be placed on probation.  If after the student's third semester, they are not making progress in the Education Studies program, the student will be recommended for dismissal from the Education Studies program.

Education Studies Internship Course Policy

Students interested in enrolling in EDST-UE 1605 Education Studies Internship must be a sophomore, junior or senior, in good academic standing (minimum GPA of 2.0). However, students with a GPA lower than 3.0 should consult with the advisor to discuss their workload and the appropriateness of this course. In some cases, the program may not permit a student to register if there are academic concerns. Students requesting permission to enroll in the internship course must already have secured or are in the process of finding an internship placement.

International students should first consult with the advisor to verify eligibility as EDST-UE 1605 can only count towards the restricted electives requirement. If approved to enroll in the course, international students will also need to contact the Office of Global Services and apply for Curricular Practical Training authorization (CPT). Failure to receive CPT authorization will prevent the student from participating in the internship. 

Course Substitutions/Exemptions

Students are expected to follow the established curriculum filed with the state for their specific year of study. Students can request this Program of Study from their advisor. Course substitutions are evaluated on a case by case basis under advisement and must be approved by the advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies. When planning their programs, students should pay attention to course schedules across at least two years, as certain courses are not offered each semester.

If a student has taken courses prior to attending NYU that fulfills Education Studies requirements, the advisor will review these units for application toward the current program of study. Any questions about AP, IB, A-Level or college credits can be reviewed by the student's academic advisor.

Pass/Fail Grading Policy

Education Studies students can take up to 16 credits on a pass/fail basis. Up to 4 credits are allowed to come from one of the two restricted electives. The pass/fail grading option is not allowed for any major core or area of specialization courses. If there is an extenuating circumstance, the student should communicate with the academic advisor.

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Steinhardt Academic Policies

Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.