D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies

Education Studies

B.A. Minor: Education Studies

Department Chair: Dr. Clair Berube

Education Studies is the non-licensure track within Batten University's Teacher Education Program — designed for students who want a rigorous grounding in education theory, practice, and child development without committing to a specific teaching endorsement or licensure pathway.

The major draws from across all four academic schools, pairing a broad liberal arts core in science, geography, history, economics, and mathematics with professional education coursework in classroom management, curriculum, and special education foundations. Students gain authentic field experience through placements alongside the major coursework.

Students seeking to major in Education Studies must apply to and be accepted into the Teacher Education Program by the end of their sophomore year. For full program gateway requirements, field experience details, and handbook information, see the Teacher Education Program section.

Requirements

The core is a broad liberal arts foundation required of all TEP undergraduate majors, drawn from across the university's four academic schools.

BIO 100 The World of Biology
4 hrs
ENG 222 Teaching Grammar and Writing
4 hrs
ENG 317 Children's Literature
4 hrs
GEOG 111 Physical Geography
4 hrs
HIST 210 World History to A.D. 1600
4 hrs
HIST 212 History of the United States
4 hrs
MBE 100 Introduction to Economics
4 hrs
MATH 325 Theory of Elementary Mathematics I
4 hrs
PHSC 100 Introduction to Physical Science
4 hrs
Total Hours Required 36

Courses

Education Studies coursework spans EDUC and SPED courses alongside cross-listed courses from Biology, English, Geography, History, and Mathematics. All EDUC and SPED course descriptions are listed below; for descriptions of core liberal arts courses, see the respective department pages.

EDUC 225 4 credits

Characteristics of the Learner

A course in human growth and development from birth through adolescence. Students learn about the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of children and how to use this knowledge to guide learning experiences and relate meaningfully to students. Includes discussion of social and individual differences that affect interaction including developmental disabilities, attention deficit disorders, gifted education, substance abuse, child abuse, and family disruptions. Offered every semester.

EDUC 266 4 credits

Classroom Management and Teaching Strategies

Provides teacher candidates with classroom management content and skills that create positive classroom behavioral supports through strategies, effective teacher behaviors, and student assessments and interventions. Candidates develop a classroom management plan. A required 10-hour field experience assignment supports the application of the management skills. Offered every spring and summer.

EDUC 320 4 credits

Teaching Reading and the Language Arts I

Candidates study theories and strategies for the assessment and teaching of reading and writing for emergent and beginning readers. Instruction leads to understanding the complex nature of language acquisition and reading from phonological awareness to comprehension, ELL, language-based learning disabilities, and instructional strategies to meet children's individual needs to promote progress with the VA Standards of Learning. Prerequisites: EDUC 225 and INST 202. Offered every semester.

EDUC 321 4 credits

Teaching Reading and the Language Arts II

Candidates study theories and strategies for the assessment and teaching of reading and writing for transitional to intermediate/advanced level readers. Instruction focuses on fluency and vocabulary, comprehension strategies, language-based learning disabilities, ELL, multicultural literacies and literature, and instructional strategies to meet children's individual needs to promote progress with the VA Standards of Learning. Prerequisites: successful completion of ENG 105 with a grade of C or higher and EDUC 320. Offered every spring.

EDUC 328 4 credits

Teaching Math for Diverse Learners

Candidates develop discipline-specific pedagogical knowledge and skills to plan and implement curriculum, instruction, and assessment that meet the needs of diverse learners and address the nature of mathematics, the five mathematical processes, and the contributions and role of math in culture and society. Focus is on addressing local, state, and national standards. Prerequisite: INST 202, EDUC 225, and EDUC 266. Offered every spring.

EDUC 329 4 credits

Curriculum and Instruction PreK-6

Provides elementary teacher candidates with an understanding of the principles of learning; the application of skills in discipline-specific methodology; communication processes; selection and use of materials, including media and computers; and evaluation of pupil performance including interpreting and analyzing valid assessments to make teaching decisions. Includes teaching methods for English language learners, gifted and talented students, and students with disabling conditions (PreK-6), and promotes student progress and preparation for the Virginia Standards of Learning assessments. Students learn methods of improving communication and involvement between schools and families, including the Foundation Blocks for Early Learning. Prerequisite: INST 202 and EDUC 225. Offered every fall.

EDUC 350 4 credits

Assessment and Data-Driven Instruction

Provides teaching candidates knowledge and skills required to develop, implement, analyze, and interpret valid and reliable assessments (formative and summative) for diverse learners to inform instruction. Candidates will develop knowledge of formal and informal accountability systems for student and teacher evaluation and legal and ethical implications of preK-12 assessment. Prerequisites: INST 202, EDUC 225. Offered every spring.

INST 202 4 credits

The School and Society

CATALOG DESCRIPTION NOT FOUND IN SOURCE MATERIAL. Required pre-admission course for all three TEP undergraduate majors. Flagged for Academic Affairs.

PHSC 100 4 credits

Introduction to Physical Science

CATALOG DESCRIPTION NOT FOUND IN SOURCE MATERIAL. Required core course for all three TEP undergraduate majors. Flagged for Academic Affairs.

GEOG 111 4 credits

Physical Geography

CATALOG DESCRIPTION NOT FOUND IN SOURCE MATERIAL. Required core course for TEP undergraduate majors. Flagged for Academic Affairs.

SPED 371 4 credits

Foundations and Legal and Ethical Issues in Special Education

CATALOG DESCRIPTION NOT FOUND IN SOURCE MATERIAL. No SPED course catalog exists anywhere in source material. Required for Education Studies and Elementary Education majors. Flagged for Academic Affairs.

SPED 376 4 credits

Assessment and Management of Instruction in Special Education

CATALOG DESCRIPTION NOT FOUND IN SOURCE MATERIAL. No SPED course catalog exists anywhere in source material. Offered as non-licensure elective in Education Studies major. Flagged for Academic Affairs.

SPED 382 4 credits

Transition in Special Education

CATALOG DESCRIPTION NOT FOUND IN SOURCE MATERIAL. No SPED course catalog exists anywhere in source material. Offered as non-licensure elective in Education Studies major. Flagged for Academic Affairs.

SPED 384 4 credits

Curriculum and Instruction K-12

CATALOG DESCRIPTION NOT FOUND IN SOURCE MATERIAL. No SPED course catalog exists anywhere in source material. Offered as non-licensure elective in Education Studies major. Flagged for Academic Affairs.

Career Outcomes

Graduate Education Programs

Education Studies provides a strong foundation for students pursuing the MAEd or other graduate education programs leading to teaching licensure.

MAEd Graduate Study Teacher Certification

Instructional Support Roles

Prepare for paraprofessional, tutoring, curriculum development, and instructional coaching roles in schools and educational organizations.

Paraprofessional Tutoring Curriculum Development

Nonprofit & Community Education

A grounding in education theory and practice supports careers in after-school programs, educational nonprofits, and community learning organizations.

Nonprofits Community Education After-School Programs

Human Services & Social Work

Cross-disciplinary coursework in child development, special education, and human growth supports careers in social services and family advocacy.

Social Services Child Development Family Advocacy

Faculty

William McConnell
William McConnell

Batten Professor of Education ,Dean, D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies

757-455-3403
203 Clarke Hall

Clair Berube
Clair Berube

Associate Professor of Education
Director of Education Programs

757-455-3264
Pruden 102A

Malcolm Lively
Malcolm Lively

Associate Professor of Education

757-455-3301
104 Pruden Hall, Bray Village

Rebecca John
Rebecca John

Assistant Professor of Education

757-233-8749
Pruden 106

Wendy Scott
Wendy Scott

Director of the Laboratory School
Assistant Professor of Education

757-376-3864
Frank Blocker Youth Center

Latanya Sutphin
Latanya Sutphin

Adjunct Faculty - Education

lsutphin@batten.edu

Deborah Hutchens
Deborah Hutchens

Student Teacher Supervisor

dhutchens@batten.edu