Educational Studies Major

This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2024-25.

Courses are designed for liberal arts students interested in studying the problems and prospects of education, the nature and function of educational inquiry, the processes and outcomes of educational practices, the role of educational theory in school practice, and the relation of educational institutions to other social institutions. In these courses students are exposed to a variety of methodologies and perspectives.

Major Requirements

Students are encouraged to take one 200-level course before the end of their sophomore year. Students may count up to one independent study course for major credit.

Students take nine courses in the department, which include the following requirements:

Required Courses

EDUC 101 - The American School (completed by the end of the sophomore year)
EDUC 226 - Uses and Abuses of Educational Research (recommended to be completed by the end of the sophomore year)
One 400-level seminar

Pedagogy and Praxis Designation

One of the following:

Additional Courses

Five additional courses, selected by the student in close conversation with their adviser, choose the courses that facilitate both breadth and depth within the field of educational studies

Note: Students must take at least two courses at the 300 level.

GPA Requirement

A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required for the nine courses that are counted for major credit. All courses taken for the major are counted in the GPA.

Honors and High Honors

Students interested in pursuing honors can find the additional requirements on the Educational Studies department page.

Educational Studies Department

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the Educational Studies department catalog page.