Educational Studies

Education Program
Rhodes College offers a Minor in Educational Studies which consists of a combination of courses in education, psychology, and supporting fields. The college does not offer a teacher licensure or certification program but rather offers a curriculum which is designed to:

  • provide a basic but thorough understanding and appreciation for the American system of education as well as the teaching and learning process
  • allow students to design a course selection plan to fit their desired teaching area (elementary, middle, or high school; counseling or school psychology; higher education, etc.)
  • provide a series of field experiences in the diverse community of Memphis and the Mid-South (it is expected that these experiences will help students fully determine their interest in the education profession)
  • prepare interested students with a smooth transition into graduate schools of education and if desired, professional licensure programs at the graduate level

The Minor in Educational Studies requires the following courses:

Education (10-12 credits)

  • 201 Foundations of Education (4 credits)
  • 355 Principles of Curriculum and Instruction (4 credits)

    Choice among:
  • 451 Directed Research in Education (2 or 4 credits)
  • 460 Internship in Education (2 or 4 credits), or an approved study abroad experience in education

Supporting Fields (8 credits):

  • Psychology 222 Educational Psychology (4 credits) or
  • Philosophy 270 Philosophy of Education (4 credits)

    And one course selected from the following:
  • Psychology 229 Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood (4 credits)
  • Psychology 230 Adolescent Psychology (4 credits)
  • Psychology 311 Counseling Psychology (4 credits)
  • Anthropology/Sociology 307 Sociology of Education (4 credits)
  • History 244 History of Childhood (4 credits)
  • Religious Studies 232 Religion and Education (4 credits)

    Licensure to Teach
    Licensure to teach is a function of state government, and programs offered by colleges and universities are designed to meet requirements of their home state. It is recommended that graduates of baccalaureate level institutions seeking licensure to teach enroll in programs which are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). A number of these graduate programs will place the student in a full time teaching position (with salary) during the time of enrollment.

    Also, because of a national shortage of teachers (in certain content fields and in certain population areas), non-traditional routes for licensure are available in many states. Regardless of the route taken for licensure, applicants for teaching licensure are required to take examinations in both their content field as well as in pedagogy.

    Finally, licensure to teach is generally a condition of employment for public schools and most non-public schools. However, through the use of alternative licensure programs, some non-public schools will employ persons to teach without licensure. Other options to teach and possibly earn licensure exist with organizations such as Teach for America and Mississippi Teacher Corps.

    For additional information contact:
    Mark V. Smith, Ed.D.
    Distinguished Service Professor of Education
    & Program Director
    Halliburton Tower, Room 408
    Telephone 901-843-3898; E-mail smithm@rhodes.edu
    Education Program Web Site


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