Explore the Field of Education
Educational Studies Major
Prepare for diverse roles in educational settings.
Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies
The educational studies major at Lynchburg is for students passionate about education and interested in flexible career paths. Whether you’re interested in graduate school, working with education policy and administration, or future teacher licensure, our educational studies major will be a great fit to launch into your career with confidence.
Your choice of emphasis from elementary education, disability studies, and health and physical education will prepare you for unique teaching opportunities. By focusing on one of these diverse areas, you’ll understand how education impacts individual lives and society.
Choosing the educational studies major at Lynchburg means joining a community that values collaborative learning, reflective practice, and developing professionals who will make a difference in the field of education.
The educational studies major offers three emphases:
Curriculum and Resources
2024-25 Academic Year Information
Program requirements for the following can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
- Education Studies (BA)
What Jobs Can I Get With an Educational Studies Degree?
A degree in educational studies from Lynchburg opens many career opportunities beyond traditional teaching roles. Our graduates hold a deep understanding of educational principles, collaboration, and innovative thinking that prepares them for positions in traditional education settings, nonprofit organizations, or governmental agencies.
Educational Studies Careers and Salaries
Possible annual salaries for the types of jobs held by educational studies graduates include the following:
- Community education coordinator: $48,000
- Curriculum developer: $63,000
- Educational consultant: $65,000
- Educational policy analyst: $60,000
- Education technology specialist: $57,000
- Instructional coordinator: $66,000
- Learning and development specialist: $62,000
- Museum educator: $48,000
- Nonprofit educational program manager: $55,000
- Special education advocate: $50,000
Salary and job projections come from national averages in the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources, including Glassdoor, Indeed, and industry-specific posts and publications. The data is meant to provide you with an idea of career options and salary ranges, not as a guarantee of obtaining these positions after graduation. These represent national averages and may vary by source and time frame collected. Actual salaries vary by region. Some jobs may require additional training or graduate education.
The University of Lynchburg's School of Professional and Applied Sciences, Leadership Studies, and Counseling has obtained full accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. This accreditation signifies that the college meets the comprehensive standards for educator preparation.
The accreditation process evaluates several aspects of an educational institution, including the effectiveness of its teaching programs, the preparation of its students for careers in education, and the institution's commitment to continuous improvement and current educational practices.
As a CAEP-accredited institution, the college has demonstrated its ability to prepare its students for teaching roles in pre-K to 12th-grade education. This achievement reflects the college's ongoing commitment to maintaining high educational standards and adapting to the evolving requirements of teacher education.
This accreditation is an important milestone for the School of Professional and Applied Sciences, Leadership Studies, and Counseling, and it ensures that the college continues to provide quality education to its students.
CAEP Accountability Measures
- Measure 1: Completer Impact and Effectiveness
- Measure 2: Satisfaction of Employers and Stakeholder Involvement
- Measure 3: Candidate Competency at Program Completion
- Measure 4: Ability of Completers to be Hired in Education Positions for Which They Have Been Prepared
Title II Report Cards
- 2022-2023 Title II Program Report [PDF]
- 2021-2022 Title II Program Report [PDF]
- 2020-2021 Title II Program Report [PDF]
- 2019-2020 Title II Program Report [PDF]
- 2018-2019 Title II Program Report [PDF]
Licensure and Certification
Per federal regulations from the U.S. Department of Education and CAEP, we must disclose whether our educational programs are eligible for state credentialing such as certification or licensure. The University of Lynchburg has been approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education to offer 11 initial licensure programs at the undergraduate level. If you gain licensure in Virginia, it can lead to reciprocal licensure in other states and jurisdictions. The teacher education program at the University of Lynchburg can assist you in obtaining the following types of licenses:- Elementary Education (PreK – 6th grade): Elementary Education (BS)
- Secondary Education (6th – 12th grades): English Education (BA), History and Social Studies Education (BA), Mathematics Education (BS), Biology Education (BS), Chemistry Education (BA), Earth Science Education (BA)
- Designated Discipline Education (PreK–12th grade): Health and Physical Education (BS)
Reciprocal Licensure and Other State Requirements
Educators who are licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia are eligible for reciprocal licensure in more than 45 states across the U.S. However, it is important to note that some states may require additional temporary, testing, or other requirements that educators must meet before teaching in that jurisdiction. To determine the necessary steps for teaching outside of Virginia, refer to the state reciprocity information or contact the Department of Education in each state.
As a Lynchburg educational studies student, you'll:
Understand educational theories and their practical applications across various settings.
Gain insights into inclusive education practices, particularly while studying disability studies and health and physical education.
Learn how to collaborate with families, colleagues, and professionals within and outside the education sector.
Grow critical thinking and reflective skills to assess educational practices and contribute to positive outcomes.
Prepare for advanced studies or career opportunities in educational policy, administration, and more.
"By teaching, I’m contributing to the relaying of this fascinating information and that’s one of the marks I’d like to leave on the world."
- Dylan Dannecker '24
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