May 10, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Academic Catalog-UNDER REVIEW 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Academic Catalog-UNDER REVIEW

Educational Studies, BA


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School Education
Academic Award Bachelor of Arts
Credits Required 122 semester credits
Faculty Lead Suzan Kobashigawa
CIP Code 13.0101

Degree Requirements


The major Educational Studies prepares students for professional careers in education related fields.  Aspiring educators study the liberal arts, Bible and theology, educational founda­tions, learning theory, human psychology, intercultural communications, assessment, and instructional design. During an internship, students practice and demonstrate their skills in settings conducive to their degree and career path (e.g. businesses and non-profit organizations).

Educational Studies & Community Programming for Children & Youth

This concentration prepares students to work in youth educational settings outside of P-12 education.  Career options include working in youth ministries; community organizations like Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA; missions; and community centers.

Educational Studies & International Education

Students in this concentration likely are preparing to teach English in various settings (e.g. mission field, international schools, overseas, or in the refugee and immigrant communities).  Other careers supported by this degree include advocacy work, community development, and adult education.  Completion of this concentration can lead to an Advanced TESOL certificate as well.

5-year Master’s Degree Options

Students majoring in Educational Studies may also qualify for one of several fifth-year Master’s degrees offered by NU: Five-Year or an Accelerated Bachelor’s and Master’s Program  .

Professional Standards and Performance Assessment

The performance of each candidate is evaluated in multiple ways over time.  Assessment of candidate performance focuses on demon­strated competency in both knowledge and teaching skill, which employs varied strategies to measure professional knowledge, subject matter mastery, and teaching effectiveness.  Measures include written examination, oral communication, curricular and instructional design, internship, projects and portfolios, written expression, visual and musical arts, and the success of children in field settings.

Graduates with a degree in Educational Studies will be able to: 

  1. Identify the influences of cultural background and situation for each learner.
  2. Identify the different ways in which people acquire, demonstrate, and reinforce content knowledge and procedures.
  3. Identify a variety of instructional tools through which to monitor and promote positive impact on learning.
  4. Demonstrate how theory and context influence practice.

Core Curriculum: 48


(Courses that are completed as part of the Core Curriculum can also fulfill major requirements.)

Major Requirements: 46


Concentrations: 30


Select one concentration:

  • Community Programming
  • Elementary Education
  • International Education

General Electives: 28


Any college-level courses

Total: 122 Semester Credits


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