Education Studies Major

Working to shape young minds can be one of the most rewarding career paths. Washington College’s Education Studies major takes a liberal arts approach to preparing future educators—our students take foundational courses in education while also exploring human development and learning through the lenses of psychology, anthropology, and sociology.

Education Studies Tracks

The education studies major takes an interdisciplinary approach to the practice of education for those who wish to explore how people learn. Students in the major build their understanding through both coursework and field-based research.

The elementary certification track is a comprehensive preparation for prospective elementary school teachers wanting to pursue state teaching licensure. The elementary certification option can be completed in four years, unlike at other undergraduate schools, and gives you a leg up against other Maryland undergraduates when applying for K-6 teaching jobs.

Our major prepares you for work in education by getting you into the field as early as your first semester and frequently throughout your course of study. Our partnerships with local schools and educational organizations make it possible for you to have observation and internship opportunities working with children of all ages.

Whether you want to teach, work in a school setting, or just work with young people, our major will help you get the foundational knowledge and practical skills you need, like how to work in a classroom and collaborate with teachers, how to work with children with special needs, and how to navigate the social and cultural contexts of the students you’re working with.

Through your chosen coursework, you can tailor your education to what interests you now and to what will benefit you after graduation. The major is flexible enough to allow for double majoring and minoring in another area of interest, getting you even closer to your post-graduation career goals. All majors will complete a Senior Capstone Experience (SCE), conducting, analyzing, and presenting independent research. Students pursuing their elementary certification will prepare and present their professional teaching portfolio and an independent research project. Non-certification students will complete an interdisciplinary, independent research study based on field work. Students are often invited to state, regional, or national conferences to present their research. Study abroad opportunities—through a short-term program, to assist with research, or a semester-long partnership—are possible. Visit our online course catalog to view our course descriptions.

Emmie Meeks '26

“Within the education department, I have been able to work closely with all four of the professors. It has been really wonderful. The faculty-to-student ratio was part of the reason I ended up coming here, to have that personal relationship with your professors. I get to go have a conversation with this person who is personally invested in my success.”