Graduate Education Programs
Education Studies provides a strong foundation for students pursuing the MAEd or other graduate education programs leading to teaching licensure.
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.
The core is a broad liberal arts foundation required of all TEP undergraduate majors, drawn from across the university's four academic schools.
Must be completed with a grade of C or above before admission to the Education Studies major. Students must also submit a TEP Application, achieve acceptable ratings on the Dispositional Survey for Educators, and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 by December of their sophomore year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Introduction to Physical Science
CATALOG DESCRIPTION NOT FOUND IN SOURCE MATERIAL. Required core course for all three TEP undergraduate majors. Flagged for Academic Affairs.
Physical Geography
CATALOG DESCRIPTION NOT FOUND IN SOURCE MATERIAL. Required core course for TEP undergraduate majors. Flagged for Academic Affairs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Education Studies provides a strong foundation for students pursuing the MAEd or other graduate education programs leading to teaching licensure.
Prepare for paraprofessional, tutoring, curriculum development, and instructional coaching roles in schools and educational organizations.
A grounding in education theory and practice supports careers in after-school programs, educational nonprofits, and community learning organizations.
Cross-disciplinary coursework in child development, special education, and human growth supports careers in social services and family advocacy.

Batten Professor of Education ,Dean, D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies
757-455-3403
203 Clarke Hall




Director of the Laboratory School
Assistant Professor of Education
757-376-3864
Frank Blocker Youth Center










