Educational Studies Program*

The undergraduate educational studies major is designed for students who want to develop knowledge and skills necessary for careers working with children and families in a wide variety of settings, but do not intend to become classroom teachers.

Become a leader & advocate for children and families

Educational studies majors develop skills that are valued in the work force, including those that focus on child development from multiple perspectives, such as an understanding of typically developing children, special needs children and the needs of young children; an understanding of planning and organization of programs; and a strong emphasis on collaboration and community involvement.

The educational studies degree provides students with a strong foundation in the liberal arts. The courses in the major will help students develop expertise in areas such as:

child development
understanding special needs children
planning and preparing programs, events and activities
behavior and behavior intervention
collaboration with families and community members

Educational studies program internship

Educational studies majors complete an internship in a community setting during their senior year. The internship is individually designed to meet the career goals of each student. During the internship, the student identifies a problem to be studied, a program to be developed or a collaborative partnership to develop. Students work with university faculty and site supervisors during this internship.

Career options

A wide range of career options are open to students who complete the educational studies degree program. Sample career paths might be those in areas such as:

law, as a child advocate
children's publishing (print & web)
social work
school or community counseling
children's museums
children's theater
day care operations
recreation
advocacy/public service
health and wellness

Educational studies majors are encouraged to pursue a minor related to their career goals. Potential double majors/minors are:

journalism/mass communications
sociology or social work
psychology
business
political science
philosophy of law
English
theater

Development, Learning and motivation
Graduates of the educational studies program will have acquired a strong foundation in child development, learning theories, diversity, pedagogy, principles of classroom management, and sound educational research for use in adapting curriculum and teaching to support the learning and development of all children.

Content and pedagogical knowledge
Graduates of the educational studies program will have have achieved mastery of the content knowledge — in English language arts, science, mathematics, social studies, the arts, health, and physical education — needed to create instructional opportunities that will enable and motivate all children to understand and apply knowledge, skills, and ideas to real world issues.

Instruction
Graduates of the educational studies program will apply their content knowledge base, foundation in theory and pedagogy, and instructional skills and strategies to actual classroom practice in order to construct and adapt learning opportunities supportive of the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of all children.

Assessment
Graduates of the educational studies program will know and utilize a variety of formal and informal assessment techniques — aligned with current state, national and local learning standards — in order to evaluate the continuous cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development of all children.

Professionalism
Graduates of the educational studies program will be able to utilize appropriate communication and collaboration skills within the spectrum of a school community; demonstrate commitment to continual learning in order to make informed decisions and work to address evolving issues; and continue to be reflective practitioners who exhibit commitment to the profession's code of ethics.

Dombek presents at annual NYSATE/NYACTE conference

Nov 03, 2023 | Dr. Donna Dombek, assistant professor in the childhood education program, presented at the annual conference of the New York State Association of Teacher Educators/New York Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, held at Saratoga Springs Oct. 25-27, 2023.

Lawrence-Brown, Abkowitz published in peer-reviewed text

Sep 07, 2023 | Dr. Diana Lawrence-Brown, professor emerita of inclusive special education, and Dr. Pamina Abkowitz, assistant professor of childhood education, had a chapter published in the peer-reviewed text titled "DI Around the World — Exploring Differentiated Instructional Practice in General School Education."

St. Bonaventure University’s School of Education approved for CAEP accreditation

May 18, 2023 | The School of Education at St. Bonaventure University has received accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), an internationally recognized accrediting body that works to ensure excellence in education preparation programs.

*Please note that the educational studies program has recently undergone a name change. It was formerly known as childhood studies.

Dr. Christine Hunt

Chair, Childhood Education & Childhood Studies Programs

Assistant Professor, Elementary Education

(716) 375-2315

Send an email

Plassmann Hall B36