Education Department earns endorsement for undergraduate programs
The College is recognized for its commitment to the importance of experiential learning to prepare for future careers in education.
Education Studies (Non-Licensure) Major
The education studies major and minor is for students who wish to pursue the academic study of education but are not interested in teaching licensure.
Program Overview
The Education Studies (non-licensure) program prepares students for both careers and graduate study in education-related fields. A minor in education studies is also available. These programs of study are ideal for students who do not wish to pursue one of our licensure majors.
Comprehensive, Field-based and Career-focused
The three pillars of the Education Studies program include:
- a comprehensive curriculum focused on issues, policies and practices in PreK-12 educational settings
- opportunities for field-based experiences beginning as early as their first semester in the program
- career-focused mentoring from a dedicated faculty and staff with decades of experience across the PreK-12 spectrum as classroom teachers, educational leaders and researchers.
A Broad Curriculum Supported By Seasoned Instructors
The comprehensive curriculum in the Education Studies program allows maximum flexibility for students to choose from an array of education courses in education about theory, pedagogy and research as it relates to the teaching and learning of school age children. Students majoring in education studies often combine their study of education with a major or minor in another field to enhance their preparation for advanced graduate study.
The Professional Strand consists of
- An introductory course
- A human development course
- A special populations course
- Three additional 200-level courses of the student’s choosing
- Two additional 300-level courses of the student’s choosing
The Practicum Strand consists of:
- A practicum strand course
- EDU476 Internship in Education
- EDU450 Education Capstone Seminar
Recent Accolades
Organizations involved in assessing U.S. colleges and universities continually cite Stonehill as being among the best in the nation when it comes to value, outcomes and a commitment to making the world a better place. See full list of accolades.
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U.S. News Ranks Stonehill in the Top 5% Nationally
After assessing U.S. colleges and universities based on 17 measures of academic quality and graduate outcomes, U.S. News & World Report ranked Stonehill No. 73 in the Best Value category out of 1,500 colleges, while also moving up to No. 83 among National Liberal Arts Colleges.
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Wall Street Journal 2025 Rankings Place Stonehill Among Best Colleges in U.S.
Stonehill College has been recognized again this year by The Wall Street Journal for the value it provides students, especially in the areas of career preparation and character development.
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Money Ranks Stonehill Among Best U.S. Colleges in 2024
Money’s 2024 Best U.S. Colleges research shows Stonehill among top 10% nationwide.
Featured Education Studies Courses
Foundations of Education
EDU 102
This course introduces students to the field of education. Built both on abstract and concrete experiences, two-thirds of course time is devoted to historic, social and philosophical foundations of education. Current issues and information concerning teacher certification are included in the course.
Developmental Theories
EDU 201
Developmental Theories focuses on the cognitive, social, emotional, linguistic, physical and cultural development of children (from conception through adolescence) and how their development impacts the learning and teaching process. The course emphasizes the application of theory and research from the field of psychology to the realm of teaching and learning in contemporary classrooms.
Education Capstone Seminar
EDU 450
In this seminar style class taken concurrently with a 3-credit (minimum) internship in education, students will explore contemporary issues in education. Over the course of the semester, students will review research related to a problem in a selected educational domain, conduct an investigation, and synthesize information gathered from field work and research in a product that will be shared with the Stonehill community.
Meaningful Field-based Experiences
To complement their coursework, the education studies program includes focused field-based experiences designed to ensure that our graduates have experience working with students and teachers in varied settings both in and outside of schools and classrooms. All education studies majors have the opportunity as early as their first semester in the program to complete field placements in a variety of educational and community settings.
The education studies major culminates with students being challenged to identify an educational issue of personal significance to their career trajectory, to complete a 3-credit internship in the educational setting of their choice that complements their chosen issue, and to design and implement a research study with the goal of contributing to the educational literature base.
- John F Kennedy Elementary School (Holbrook) Speech Pathology
- Kennedy Donovan Center (Early Intervention)
- Children’s Museum Easton
- Stonehill College Health and Wellness Office
- Education Committee, Massachusetts House of Representatives
- League School of Greater Boston
- Chamberlain Elementary School (Taunton) Speech and Language Pathology
- Stonehill College MacPhaidin Library
Career-focused Mentoring
Stonehill’s small class sizes allow education studies majors to receive career-focused mentoring. Through experiences both inside and outside the classroom, dedicated faculty and staff work with students to individualize their program to meet their interests and future career goals.
Faculty teaching in the Education Studies program have extensive teaching experience in public and private PreK-12 settings; deliver professional development to teachers, schools and districts across the Commonwealth and across the nation; present their research at local, regional and national conferences; work in the field in places such as Boston Children’s Hospital; and serve on the boards of several professional organizations. This wealth of experience and connection to PreK-12 schools and teachers to the field of education enables the faculty to provide high quality, practical educational experiences to Stonehill students.
Graduate Outcomes
Whether learning in a Stonehill classroom or working in various educational setting, Education Studies majors deepen their knowledge of educational issues, policy and practice, resulting in deep preparation for their future careers and graduate study.
Places where Stonehill education studies graduates have recently been employed:
- Merrimack College, Development Associate
- Misericordia Heart of Mercy, Occupational Therapy Aide
- Autism Learning Partners
- The Brunswick School
Places where Stonehill education studies graduates have recently attended a full- or part-time graduate program:
- Stonehill College: Inclusive Education Master’s Degree Program
- Northeastern University: Master of Science in Communication Disorders
- University of Rhode Island: Library and Information Studies
- University of New Hampshire: Communication Sciences and Disorders Master’s of Science Program
Outside Partnerships & Special Programs
Stonehill College has developed academic affiliations with colleges and universities that enable our students to augment the degree they earn at Stonehill with graduate and undergraduate degrees that further enhance their opportunities.
Complete Your B.A. and Master's in Education in 5 Years
The Skyhawk Accelerated Dual Degree allows undergraduate students in Stonehill’s Education Studies Department to earn a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in five years. The final year of undergraduate study is integrated with coursework at the graduate level. This opportunity is a good fit for students who wish to obtain dual licensure or who wish to have more time with licensing exams. Teacher residency options available.
Contact Information
Lyndsey Aubin Benharris
Associate Professor of Education Studies, Department Chair
Education
Lisa Biederwolf
Administrative Assistant II
Academic Affairs