Education Studies
At Dordt, the education studies program equips you to apply educational theory and practice in meaningful ways beyond a traditional PreK–12 teaching role. Grounded in a biblical perspective, you’ll develop skills that translate into a variety of settings where teaching, mentoring, and learning still matter—while staying faithful in a culture that constantly shifts.
Program Overview
As an Education Studies student at Dordt, you’ll gain practical skills and foundational knowledge for education-related careers beyond the traditional classroom. This non-licensure program expands pathways for students interested in applying educational best practices in a variety of educational and community settings. Offered alongside Dordt’s licensure-track education major, Education Studies prepares students for meaningful service in roles where a teaching license is not required.
What You'll Learn
As an Education Studies major at Dordt, you will gain practical skills and a strong foundation in educational theory for roles beyond the traditional classroom. Your learning will extend beyond coursework as you explore how educational best practices apply in a variety of educational and community-based settings. This program equips you with adaptable skills that prepare you to serve effectively in education-related fields where a teaching license is not required.
What can I do with a degree in education studies?
With a degree in education studies, you'll be equipped to serve in a variety of settings across educational and community settings. Whether you're looking to work alongside educators in a traditional PreK-12 school setting or you're passionate about youth ministry and outreach, this degree will give you the fundamental skills and background knowledge needed to faithfully serve students and the community.
Youth Ministry
Guide and mentor young people in church setting, creating programs that teach, inspire, and support spiritual growth. An Education Studies background enhances this role by providing skills in curriculum development, learning strategies, and understanding how people learn and grow in diverse settings.
Paraprofessional
Support classroom teachers by assisting with instruction, managing small groups, and providing individualized help to students. Help create a positive learning environment and ensure all students have the support they need to succeed.
Community Engagement Educator
Design and lead programs that connect organizations—such as museums, nature centers, or nonprofits—with local communities. Create learning experiences, coordinate outreach, and help people of all ages engage with educational content in meaningful ways.
Program Details
The Education Studies program at Ƶis designed for students who want a strong foundation in education but do not plan to pursue a teaching license. All graduates who complete the program will earn a Ƶdegree and gain practical skills for education-related careers.
In addition to the successful completion of 30 credits in Education, students will complete a 2-credit, field-based capstone course that serves as the culmination of the program. No student teaching is required. You will be guided through all program components in your Education Studies courses, ensuring you develop the knowledge and experience needed for a variety of educational and community settings.
- Introduction to Education: Designed to introduce students to the domain of education and to induct them into an initial understanding of teaching and the teaching profession. Emphasis is on the development of a distinctively Christian approach to education. Education 101 is a prerequisite to all other education courses.
- Educational Psychology: This course introduces you to the fields of educational psychology and developmental psychology as they help us figure out the teaching and learning environment. This course studies the growth and maturation of children and adolescents, including examination of physical development and activity, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual development. We will also look at different roles teachers play such as teacher-as-researcher, teacher-as-observer, and teacher-as-facilitator. This course introduces you to developmental theories and learning theories that impact PreK-12 education today.
- Learner Differences: Examination of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities-ethnicities, SES, immigrant, cognitive (SPED and TAG), gender, learning profiles, as well as English language learners. Focus on designing inclusive learning environments to meet high standards.
- Learning Environments: Focus on designing and implementing developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences. Creating individual and collaborative learning environments including competency-based, cooperative learning, technology-supported, experiential, and other environments.
- Service Learning - Tutoring: A 25-hour field experience, designed to be taken in conjunction with EDUC 201 or 203. Students work in teams within an after-school program, planning and facilitating learning activities with children. Through direct engagement with students, participants practice skills addressed in the concurrent education course, including lesson preparation, learning environment management, and student engagement.
- History and Philosophy of Education: This course examines how our societal perspectives and personal core beliefs affect the ways we “do school,” see students, plan teaching and learning, and make curriculum. Students will draw on a variety of resources – those from the tradition of Reformed, Christian education, some more broadly Christian, and those from outside faith-based education thought, to construct a statement describing their own educational philosophy. While this course meets a requirement in the Teacher Preparation Program, it does not assume a background in teacher preparation. Students from outside teacher preparation are welcome.
- Planning, Instruction, and Assessment (Elementary or Secondary): Spring This course introduces students to an understanding of instructional theory. Focus is on the planning process and the integral role of instruction and assessment. Emphasis is on the development of a distinctively Christian approach to teaching and learning. Various perspectives on the instructional process are critically examined.
- Applied Educational Psychology for Elementary Teachers: Examines the unique emotional, physical, intellectual, social and spiritual development of elementary students. Emphasis on developing a biblical view of the student through developmentally appropriate differentiation. Significant focus on the development of positive learning environments utilizing appropriate motivation and classroom management strategies.
- Education Studies Field Experience
- Three additional courses in Education, chosen based on your interests and career outcome goals
Ready to take the next step?
Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Related Programs
Still looking for the right fit? Here are some additional program options that we think might interest you or are often paired with this program. You can also view the programs page to keep exploring your options.
