St. Lawrence students working with area youth

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.

Explore Research Opportunities

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. 

Get Career Ready

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

Explore Volunteer Opportunities

Study Abroad

Choose from more than 30 semester-long programs offered in more than 20 international locations, including Australia, Kenya, Sweden, Spain, and Thailand. 

Explore Diverse Models of Early Childhood Education 

Educational studies minors who journey to Denmark can enroll in a child development and diversity course.  It consists of a travel component that will allow you to experience models of education across Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. 

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.

Explore Our Programs

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

St. Lawrence student working with young people

North Country Children's Museum

Spend a summer planning programs for local kids while interning at the North Country Children’s Museum.

94%

of recent graduates are employed or continuing their studies within a year

#1

Volunteer-producing University

Peace Corps 2019, 2020

82%

of students pursue volunteer work

#20

Best School for Making an Impact

The Princeton Review, 2021

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.

Professor Jeff Frank

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.

Young person doing homework on a laptop

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.

Read More
Jessica Sierk

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.

Check out their research

Connect With a Current Student

You've heard enough about our program from us; connect with a current student to learn first-hand about their faculty mentors, favorite classes, or unique experiences. No question is too big or too small—ask away!
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Headshot of Grace Brouillette, class of 2023.
Class of 2023

Grace Brouillette (she/her)

  • Essex Junction, Vermont
  • Essex High School
  • Environmental Studies major, Educational Studies minor

Campus Involvement

Spectrum, Laurentian Singers, WORD Studio Peer Tutor, LINC Career Mentoring, Sophomore Career Bootcamp; participated in the Kenya Semester Program

Headshot of Alexander Reyes, class of 2023.
Class of 2023

Alexander Reyes (he/him)

  • Bronx, New York
  • Ellis Preparatory Academy
  • Government major, Educational Studies minor

Campus Involvement

Thelomathesian Society—Vice President of Senate Affairs, Black Student Union, SLU Democrats, Admissions Ambassador, Student Delegate to the Alumni Association, LINC Career Mentoring program

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.