Shape the future of education.
Abridged Bachelor of Educational Studies
Learn to teach diverse learners in just three years.
Abridged Bachelor of Educational Studies
The MaxImpact Abridged Bachelor of Educational Studies at the University of Lynchburg is a reduced hour degree program built for students who want to enter the education field in three years instead of four.
This selective pathway delivers the full Lynchburg academic experience in a more focused, career-aligned format designed for driven students.
As an educational studies major, you’ll step into the role of a future educator from day one. Imagine yourself designing lessons that actually connect with students, leading a classroom where every learner feels included, and figuring out how to help a struggling student finally understand a tough concept.
You’ll learn how kids and teens grow and learn, how to manage a positive classroom, and how to create engaging lessons in subjects like STEM, social studies, and history. You’ll also explore how culture, language, family experiences, and disabilities shape the way students experience school — and how you can respond in ways that can change their lives for the better.
This program prepares you to think like a teacher, act like a leader, and build learning environments where all students can succeed.
Why choose a MaxImpact degree?
Through our 3+1 track, you can leverage this maximized pace to secure both your bachelor’s and your master’s degrees in just four years.
- Maximize Your Time: Finish your degree in three years and hit the workforce while others are still in the classroom
- Maximize Your Money: Save up to a full year of tuition and fees
- Maximize Your Potential: Add one year of graduate study to earn two degrees in four years and skip the “entry-level” stage.
MaxImpact for Tomorrow’s Educators
MaxImpact is Virginia’s first 96-hour degree designed to maximize your time, money, and potential so you can transition from student to educator in just three years. When you pair that with one year of graduate study, you’ll also secure a University of Lynchburg Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.
When you choose to be a teacher, you get to shape how the next generation thinks, questions, dreams, and leads. Few careers will give you the ability to change lives every day.
Why Lynchburg is the place for future educators:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: In the Abridged Bachelor of Educational Studies, you’ll develop the skills and knowledge to thrive in education settings.
- Teacher Licensure Pathway: Through the 3+1 MaxImpact track, you can earn your bachelor’s, master’s, and Virginia teacher licensure in four years.
- Teachers for Tomorrow Credits: By completing Teachers for Tomorrow I and II, you’ll earn up to seven undergraduate credits.
The MaxImpact Abridged Bachelor of Educational Studies program includes:
- 96 total credit-hours
- No elective credits
- 6 semesters
- Full DELL general education curriculum
- Advanced coursework aligned with Lynchburg’s Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
- Early exposure to graduate-level expectations
This degree is ideal for students who want flexibility beyond traditional classroom roles while maintaining a clear path toward professional advancement.
Students who choose the 3+1 path may complete a bachelor’s + master’s degree — and, for eligible tracks, teacher licensure — in as little as four years.
Teacher Licensure
Students pursuing Abridged Bachelor of Educational Studies can follow a streamlined path toward teacher licensure.
In this option, students take select graduate-level courses while still undergraduates, which helps them stay on track for a faster transition into graduate study. With the additional graduate year, students can complete a master’s degree and meet the requirements for a teaching license in four years.
Start Earning Sooner
Graduating one year earlier provides meaningful financial and professional momentum. By saving a year’s worth of tuition, room, and board combined with an early-career earnings advantage, Educational Studies graduates completing the MaxImpact pathway may save approximately $87,750.*
Career Pathways
As an educational studies major, there are many postgraduate pathways available to you:
- Curriculum Developer
- Educational Consultant
- Instructional Coordinator
- Education Policy Analyst
- Community Education Coordinator
- Nonprofit Educational Program Manager
- Learning and Development Specialist
- Curriculum Developer
For students planning to teach or move into leadership roles, the accelerated MEd pathway provides a competitive edge.
*Salary projections reflect national averages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other reputable sources. Actual salaries vary by region and position. Some roles require graduate study.
Who should apply?
The MaxImpact Abridged Bachelor of Public Health degree is ideal for students who are:
- In good academic standing, with a high school or transfer GPA of 3.0
- Goal-oriented and motivated
- Interested in early entry into the workforce or graduate school
- Comfortable in a structured, accelerated academic pathway
- In good academic standing, with a high school or transfer GPA of 3.0
You will need to submit:
- A Statement of Intent (Essay): Applicants must submit a specific essay response to the following prompt: Discuss your motivation for choosing an accelerated, applied degree pathway. How are you prepared for a curriculum focused on practical competencies and career-oriented learning?
- A Recommendation Letter: Applicants must provide a letter of recommendation from a current or former teacher that describes why the student should be considered for admission into an accelerated, applied degree pathway.
As a Lynchburg educational studies student, you’ll:
- Explore educational theory and its real-world application
- Study inclusive and equitable teaching practices
- Collaborate with families, professionals, and community partners
- Develop critical thinking and reflective practice skills
- Prepare for careers in educational settings, nonprofit organizations, or policy environments
"My favorite part about teaching is helping my students grow and learn no matter where they are in life."
- Victoria Mason ’20
