Why Earn Your Educational Studies Degree at Saint Leo University?
The educational studies major provides opportunities for students to explore the ways in which young people construct knowledge within both informal and formal settings. Specializations are available for students with interest in the education of children (K-6), adolescents (grades 5-9), or young children (Birth - 5 years). In each specialization, students will explore the social, cognitive, psychological, and physiological domains related to building conceptual understanding. The education studies major combines courses from the College of Arts, and Sciences and Allied Services. Students choosing the specialization related to children (grades K-6), adolescents (grades 5-9), or young children (Birth - 5 years), will enroll in a variety of methods courses pertaining to the content disciplines that are present in current educational systems. Students electing the specialization related to adolescents will be required to choose a concentration of courses in one of the following disciplines: English or Social Science.
The educational studies major prepares students for employment with agencies and educational institutions that do not require graduation from an initial certification program as a term of employment.
Learning Experience:
Education Center
Online
Est. Time to Complete:
4 years
Credit Hours:
120 hours
Undergraduate Educational Studies Program Details
The B.A. in educational studies major offers three specializations: (1) Education and Children, (2) Education and Adolescents, and (3) Education and Early Childhood Development. Students who graduate with this major are not immediately eligible for certification with the Florida Department of Education.
Learn Your Way:
Online, On Campus, or Near You
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![Saint Leo students and instructor in classroom]()
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What are the on-campus facilities like?
Students who pursue their degrees at Saint Leo’s main campus near sunny Tampa Bay, Florida, join a community of enthusiastic learners just like them.
Elementary Education students enjoy plenty of engaging learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, as well as exciting departmental events.
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What are the benefits of earning your elementary education degree online?
Saint Leo University’s online learning experience provides a well-rounded education with the flexibility to tailor your course of study to meet your individual needs. We know our students have lives outside school, and we seek to meet them where they are. Online students can count on receiving excellent academics as well as opportunities for hands-on learning.
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Taking online classes has afforded me the opportunity to learn while maintaining a job. They give me some flexibility to study at times that work more cohesively with my schedule and allow me to utilize resources such as the library 24 hours a day.
Bentley Streat | Hayes, VA
Are education centers near you offering elementary education degree programs?
You may also choose to pursue your degree through one of our education centers, which merge a traditional in-person education with the flexibility to match your lifestyle. Education centers offer eight-week academic terms as well as evening and weekend classes.
Specialization Options
Saint Leo University offers four specialization options for psychology students. You can customize your degree to match your passions by choosing one of the following concentrations.
Prerequisite courses:
- EDU 228 - Educational Technology 3 credits
EDU-228 taken in lieu of COM-140 - EDU 328 - The Adolescent Learner 3 credits
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- EDU 226 - Human Growth and Development 3 credits
Core courses:
- EDU 333 - Adolescent Literacy 3 credits
- EDU 336 - Teaching Reading in the Secondary Content Area 3 credits
- EDU 344 - Practicum I in Middle/Secondary Schools 1 credit
- EDU 345 - Seminar: Becoming a Professional 1 credit
- EDU 350 - Middle and Secondary School Curriculum and Philosophy 3 credits
- EDU 427 - Educational Assessment 3 credits
- EDU 436 - Teaching Writing Across the Curriculum 3 credits
- EDU 450/455 - Practicum II Middle/Secondary School Practicum and Seminar 2 credits
- EDU 470/471 - Practicum III Middle/Secondary Schools Practicum and Seminar 3 credits
- EDU 304 - Human Exceptionalities in the Classroom 3 credits
- EDU 425 - Educational Management and Organization 3 credits
Content Course Selection:
Please choose one from the following: 15 hours of ENGLISH courses at the 200 - 400 level or 15 hours of History/Economics courses at the 100 - 400 level. Students must also take one of the following: EDU 451, 452, 453, or 454 for program completion. Courses for the content area will be selected with the direction and approval of the advisor.
Students are to select 12 hours from any 300/400 Education, Psychology, Sociology or Anthropology course. Courses for the final semester will be selected with the direction and approval of the advisor.
- EDU 324 - Child Guidance & Classroom Management for Young Children 3 credits
- EDU 341 - ESOL Foundations Cross-Cultural Communication & Applied Linguistics 3 credits
- EDU 346 - Literacy Foundations for Young Children 3 credits
- EDU 348 - Emergent Literacy for Young Children 3 credits
- EDU 353 - Early Childhood Growth & Development 3 credits
- EDU 355 - Integrated Math and Science in Early Childhood Education 3 credits
- EDU 362 - Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction 3 credits
- EDU 364 - Early Childhood Health and Wellness 3 credits
- EDU 304 - Human Exceptionalities in the Classroom 3 credits
- EDU 366 - Play as Pedagogy 3 credits
- EDU 369 - Creative Arts for Young Children 3 credits
- EDU 407 - Observing, Assessing, & Instructional Planning for Young Children 3 credits
- EDU 370 - Brain Based Learning in the Digital Age 3 credits
- EDU 409 - Str2eam in Early Childhood 3 credits
- EDU 411 - Social Justice, Faith and Values, Early Learning 3 credits
- EDU 337 - Children's Literature 3 credits
- EDU 413 - Home & Community Relations 3 credits
- EDU 428 - 21st Century Implications for Education 3 credits
- EDU 498 - Final Internship & Seminar: Service 3 credits
- IDSE 405 - Interdisciplinary Creative Photovoice 3 credits
Career Outlook
No matter which learning experience you choose, you will receive plenty of professional development opportunities, industry knowledge from expert professors, and support from the Saint Leo community. All this together means that you will be ready for a successful career or continued studies upon graduation.
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![Saint Leo University students in Psychology classroom]()
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How will you gain real experience?
The education studies major combines courses from the College of Arts, and Sciences and Allied Services. Students choosing the specialization related to children (grades K-6), adolescents (grades 5-9), or young children (Birth - 5 years), will enroll in a variety of methods courses pertaining to the content disciplines that are present in current educational systems.
What can you do with an undergraduate educational studies degree?
The educational studies major prepares students for employment with agencies and educational institutions that do not require graduation from an initial certification program as a term of employment.
Student Stories
"Saint Leo's online MBA program in Supply Chain Management provided me the opportunity for flexible learning alongside other supply chain professionals in my industry. With this MBA, I expanded upon educational and professional abilities within the field of Supply Chain Operations."
Paige Holt- MBA Student specializing in Supply Chain Management
Paige is one of our MBA students who has taken full advantage of the opportunities offered by Saint Leo's online MBA program in Supply Chain Management.
“Learning ignites my passion to seek and find information that intrigues my soul, spirit, and mind. Education at Saint Leo University has had an extremely positive influence on my life and my development as a person. It has made me more confident and enabled me to steer into my destiny. Saint Leo University has provided me with different learning experiences that has enabled me to branch out and work with people effectively. It has helped me develop a great amount of self-discipline and, aside from teaching me some very important life skills, Saint Leo University has opened many doors for my future.”
Karen Sislava Reyes - MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING
Karen came to Saint Leo from Flagler College where she earned her undergraduate accounting degree. Karen has worked as an intern for CliftonLarsonAllen. She plans on sitting for the CPA exam this year and will then pursue a doctorate degree.
''As a graduate now pursuing my masters of science in accounting, I’m even more thankful for how well Saint leo equipped me and not just educationally but as a leader, student, and even on a personal level. It is truly a privilege to have been taught by professors whose efforts go beyond the classroom.”
Tayhana Taylor - Undergrad Bachelor of Science- Accounting
Tayhana has completed four prestigious internships, including two with the BIG 4 CPA firms of Ernst & Young and Deloitte in New York City. These internships were highly competitive, and Tayhana engaged in both audit and tax while in these roles, gaining experience with leading-edge accounting protocols. She has been offered a full-time position with Deloitte in 2025. Tayhana has published three articles with faculty in the Tapia College of Business. The most recent titled, "The Impact of COVID-19 on the Airline Industry," was published in the Journal of Finance and Accountancy in Fall 2023
Saint Leo University has truly been a stepping stone for me. When I entered this university 4 years ago, I was unaware of what I’d be like when I left. Now, 3 weeks away from graduating, I am so thankful that I was a student here. Your time at Saint Leo University is what you make of it, and Saint Leo students are provided with so much opportunity to succeed.
O'shea Williams - Bachelor of Arts Developmental Psychology
“Saint Leo is not just an academic institution, it’s a formation institution. Saint Leo embraced me for who I am, showed faith that I could be my best, and solidified the light that was shining within me.”
Charles Onyeneke ’17
University Campus, Theology
“As a child, my great-grandmother taught me how to pray and to lean on God. Saint Leo inspired us all to learn with compassion and reminded me to keep the faith.”
Brent Patterson ’21
Center for Online Learning, Religious Studies
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Accreditation
Saint Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.