Educational Studies
About Our Program
Education is at the root of so many contemporary challenges, and our minors learn to think critically about the role it can play in solving them. Our department emphasizes inclusivity, which will inform your perspective as you learn, ask questions, and pose solutions.
Whether you’re interested in becoming a teacher or are eager to empower communities through education another way, you’ll gain the reading, writing, thinking, and communication skills you’ll need to engage with complex issues and apply your understanding to just about any career path you choose.
Learning Experiences to Prepare for Your Career
We believe relevance is key, and our curriculum is constantly evolving to reflect current issues and conversations. So not only will you be more invested in the topics you study, you’ll be better equipped to help employers and organizations tackle their most pressing challenges in the real world.Contemporary Curriculum
In your coursework, you’ll delve deep into contemporary topics affecting education. You’ll consider how education can be more inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community, what the Black Lives Matter movement means for education, or how to talk about mental health in the American public school system.
University Fellowship Program
Our faculty are known for the close relationships they build with every student, which often turn into faculty-mentored summer research projects. Apply for a fellowship to spend eight weeks in the North Country digging into a topic you’re passionate about with your mentor as your advisor.
Research
Our students often use their educational studies minor to inform research that encompasses their other areas of study. For example, they’ve looked at sports and masculinity, anti-Blackness in Chinese universities, or how to improve environmental literacy and communicate the importance of sustainability.
Internships
Learn by doing in a real-world environment. Our minors intern in schools and with a wide range of organizations concerning access to education and education policy.
Volunteer Work
You can also gain experience while making a difference in our community. We partner with local schools on a reading and math tutor program and often sponsor one-credit educational internships.
Engage with our community in a variety of ways, including:
- Math/reading help at local elementary and middle schools
- After-school programming at the Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club
- Facilitate creative activities at the North Country Children’s Museum
Study Abroad
Choose from more than 30 semester-long programs in more than 20 international locations, including Australia, Kenya, Spain, and Thailand.
Off-Campus Study in the U.S.
Other U.S-based off-campus study programs include a Liberal Arts in New York City experience, which includes an internship with a Manhattan-based business or nonprofit. The Washington Semester in D.C. consists of a semester-long internship, so you could study education policy by interning with stakeholders on the ground.
Connect with Community
Among the 150+ clubs and organizations at St. Lawrence, you’ll find many that involve leadership, community engagement, education, and cross-cultural communication:
- The Advocates
- Club of American Sign Language
- Common Ground Connections
- Club Volleyball
- The Hill News
- Men In Color
- Class Council
- Her Campus
- SLU Adaptive
- Black Student Union
- Literacy for Nepal
- Rotaract
- Carefree Black Girls
- La Sociedad
- The Women’s Resource Center
- Reading Buddies
- WORD Studio
- Spectrum
- Relay for Life
- SLU EMS
Why St. Lawrence for Education
North Country Children's Museum
Spend a summer planning programs for local kids while interning at the North Country Children’s Museum.
Volunteer-producing University
Peace Corps 2019, 2020
of students pursue volunteer work
Best School for Making an Impact
The Princeton Review, 2023
Outcomes Rate
Recent graduates were employed or in graduate school within 7-9 months of graduating.
More Program Information
Program Requirements & Courses
Explore educational studies minor requirements, as well as electives and combined study options.
Complementary and Related Programs
If you’re interested in educational studies, you might also be interested in these programs.
Education Faculty
“We find ways to incorporate and integrate education in everything our students do and then that prepares them for a really wide variety of work in the future.”
Jeff Frank
Fran Grembowicz
Katie Halleron Murphy
LeAnn Holland
Peter Ladd
Passionate, Supportive Faculty
Our faculty prioritize the passions of every student. They get to know your interests so they can help you design a personalized path that includes research, volunteer opportunities, and career preparatory experiences.
Community Connections
When COVID-19 made it impossible to tutor local students in person, students like Kenyeri Xelhua ’21 pivoted to offer remote tutoring sessions and support their community.
Gender and Sex Education
Conversations about sex and sexuality are often hushed, shut down and thought of as taboo, but Assistant Professor of Education Jessica Sierk and her students are changing that on an Instagram account focused on a more inclusive sex education.
Get More Information
We’re excited to learn more about you, tell you more about our interdisciplinary academic programs, show you around our beautiful campus, and help you navigate your college search.
Apply to St. Lawrence
We’re looking for curious students who are eager to make a difference. We take a holistic approach to reviewing applications and consider all aspects of your application and what we learn about you.