Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

Educational Studies (BA)

The Educational Studies program at the undergraduate level focuses on preparing candidates for education-related careers that do not require teacher certification. Candidates who originally entered a bachelor's degree program in education but no longer want to complete the professional requirements for certification can complete this program, which allows candidates to explore learning theories, educational philosophies, and instructional strategies. Candidates will also explore culturally responsive practices and engaging learning environments. The capstone experience requires self-reflection, academic research, and scholarly writing. Candidates will complete a written portfolio and oral presentation during the capstone component of the program. Candidates who complete the undergraduate program in Educational Studies will not receive a recommendation for teacher certification.

Graduates of this program may apply to return to Piedmont University within five years to pursue a certification-only program. Students who want to enroll in a certification-only program must first pass the appropriate Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators (GACE) content examinations and obtain a preservice certificate.

 

Career Opportunities

Candidates who earn bachelor's degrees in Educational Studies are prepared for employment as well as graduate-level study. Recent graduates have obtained employment as:

  • Educational program coordinators
  • Professional development coordinators
  • Daycare directors/owners
  • Teachers at private schools
  • Camp directors
  • Recreational/youth program coordinators
 

Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Describe their personal philosophy of education.
  2. Demonstrate the appropriate use of research in educational academia.
  3. Design positive, culturally responsive learning environments.
  4. Accurately use the language of the field of education (vocabulary and acronyms).
  5. Demonstrate professional behaviors and dispositions
 

Bachelor of Arts Degree

 

General Education

I. Communication (9 hours)

Rhetoric and Composition

 

ENGL 1101*

           

Rhetoric and Composition

3

                     
Literature and Composition 
ENGL 1102*             Literature and Composition 3

Communication 

               

Choose course from approved list

3

II. Humanities and Fine Arts (15 hours)

Modern Languages

               

Choose sequence from approved list

6

                     

English Literature

 

 

            Choose one 2000-level English Literature course
(ENGL 2225 and ENGL 2226 may NOT be used)

3

                     

Philosophy and Religion

                Choose one PHIL or RELG course at the
1000-2000 level

3

                     

Fine Arts

 

 

           

Choose course from approved list 

 3

III. History and Social Sciences (9 hours)

World History

 

 

           

Choose course from approved list

3

Government

 

 

           

Choose course from approved list

3

Social Science

 

 

           

Choose course from approved list

3

IV. Mathematics and Natural Sciences (10 to 12 hours)

Mathematics*

 

 

           

Choose course from approved list

3 to 4

                     
Natural Science                 Choose a pair in sequence from approved list   7 to 8
                     

V. Ethics (3 hours)

                     
Ethics                  Choose course from approved list 3
                     

VI. Institutional Requirement (1 hour)

First-Year Experience

 

*Grade of C or higher required.

 

PDMT 1101

           

Introduction to University Life and
the Liberal Arts Tradition

 

1

Total Credit Hours:46-49

Students who enter with fewer than 24 semester credit hours must satisfy the institutional requirement.

Required Courses

 
EDUC 4788Capstone/Exhibition

3

Education Foundations

27

Total Credit Hours:30

General Electives

 
General Electives

40-45

Total Credit Hours:40-45

Total Credit Hours: 121