Education Studies Certificates

Associate director: TBD, 432-4631; https://educationstudies.yale.edu/, Program FAQ

The Education Studies Program in Yale College provides a structured pathway for students interested in education theory and research, policy, and pedagogy. Through the study of education, students engage in an interdisciplinary exploration of a fundamental institution that shapes citizenship, governance, social reproduction, child development, and social inequality. Yale courses across the disciplines address these varying aspects of education through three area categories: (1) theory and research, (2) policy, and (3) pedagogy. 

Students can engage with Education Studies through one of two pathways alongside their major:

  • The Scholar Intensive Certificate, which offers a cohort-learning experience and requires the completion of a capstone project.
  • The Education Studies Certificate, which offers an individualized pathway that allows students to develop expertise through Education Studies coursework. 

Students may opt for either the Scholar Intensive Certificate or the Education Studies Certificate.

No more than two course credits fulfilling the requirements of either Education Studies certificate may overlap with a major, a simultaneous degree, or another certificate. Additionally, no course credit may be counted toward more than two curricular programs. For example, the same course credit may not be used to fulfill the requirements of two certificates and a major.

Any Yale College student interested in education studies may enroll in the introductory survey course, EDST 1110, Foundations in Education Studies. This lecture course explores the historical, social, philosophical, and theoretical foundations of education, providing students with a deeper understanding of its critical role in society across theory and research, policy, and pedagogy. 

Scholar Intensive certificate in Education studies

The Education Studies Scholar Intensive Certificate in Yale College provides a structured pathway for students interested in completing an Education Studies capstone project while learning alongside a supportive cohort from sophomore through senior year.

In the fall of their sophomore year, students who have successfully completed or are currently enrolled in EDST 1110 may apply to the Scholar Intensive Certificate alongside their major. Selected students join a close-knit cohort, engaging in small seminars and exploring through collaborative learning. With guidance from faculty, peers, and alumni, they pursue educational opportunities tailored to their individual interests. Scholar Intensive Certificate students gain practical field experience through an academic-year or summer field placement.

Requirements

See Links to the attributes indicating courses approved for the Theory and Research, Policy, and Pedagogy requirements.

To complete the Scholar Intensive Certificate program, students must take five courses including EDST 1110 and EDST 1261 to fulfill the Theory and Research requirement; one course in Policy or Pedagogy, two capstone courses including EDST 4400 and either EDST 4410 or 4490. Alternately, students may complete the capstone in one term with EDST 4400 and take an additional EDST elective. Students must also fulfill a field experience. Two of the five courses may overlap with the student's major. No more than two course credits may overlap in the fulfillment of the requirements of the Scholar Intensive Certificate or of a major, a simultaneous degree, or another certificate. No course credit may be counted toward the requirements of more than two curricular programs. For example, the same course credit may not be used to fulfill the requirements of two certificates and a major. Graduate and professional school courses may count, with approval from the Education Studies Associate Director. For a listing of courses in the area categories, see the Education Studies website. 

Credit/D/Fail No more than one course in the Policy or Pedagogy curricular grouping taken Credit/D/Fail may count toward the certificate requirements. 

Successful completion of the Scholar Intensive Certificate will be noted on transcripts. 

Summary of Requirements

Prerequisite EDST 1110

Number of courses 5 courses (including the prereq and senior req)

Distribution of courses 1 course credit in (1) Theory and Research (EDST 1261); 1 course credit in either (2) Policy or (3) Pedagogy

Other requirement Field experience as described on the EDST website

Senior requirement EDST 4400 or in combination with either EDST 4410 or 4490. Students completing the capstone in one term must complete an additional EDST elective.

Certificate in Education Studies

See Links to the attributes indicating courses approved for the certificate requirements.

Open to all interested Yale students, the Certificate in Education Studies provides an opportunity to pursue an interdisciplinary study of education to complement their major. 

To earn the certificate, students must complete a total of five courses: the prerequisite EDST 1110, one course in Theory and Research, one course in either Policy or Pedagogy, and two electives. No more than two course credits may overlap in the fulfillment of the requirements of the Education Studies Certificate or of a major, a simultaneous degree, or another certificate. Additionally, no course credit may be counted toward the requirements of more than two curricular programs. For example, the same course credit may not be used to fulfill the requirements of two certificates and a major. Graduate and professional school courses may count with approval from the Education Studies Associate Director. For a listing of courses in the area categories, see the Education Studies website.

Credit/D/Fail With the exception of EDST 1110, no more than one course taken Credit/D/Fail may be applied toward the requirements of the certificate.

Successful completion of the Certificate will be noted on transcripts.

Declaration of Candidacy

Once students are enrolled in the prerequisite EDST 1110, they may declare their intent to earn a Certificate in Education Studies. Students must declare their intention to earn a certificate on the Declare Major, Concentration within the Major, Certificate page on Yale Hub, as early as possible, but at the very latest, by the 15th of January or September in their last semester at Yale. Once declared, Degree Audit tracks students' progress toward completion of the certificate.

SUMMARY OF Requirements 

Prerequisite  EDST 1110

Number of courses 5 courses

Distribution of courses 1 course credit in (1) Theory and Research, 1 course credit in either (2) Policy or (3) Pedagogy; 2 EDST electives  

 
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