The Barnard Education Program will be adding an interdisciplinary Education Studies major available only for Barnard students starting this year.

Barnard students will now have the option to declare a major in Education Studies, according to an email sent earlier today to some students in the College. The Barnard College Education Department has thus far only offered minors and special concentrations in Education Studies and Urban Education for both K-6th and 7th-12th grades. The full text of the email from the Education Program can be found at the bottom of this article.

As described in the email, the major is currently being exclusively offered to Barnard students. The major is described as being “for students who wish to understand, critically analyze, and conduct research on the role of education in society.” The curriculum will consist of a combination of education policy, practice, and research with an emphasis on promoting equity in educational systems and spaces. Additionally, the major’s interdisciplinary and multifaceted nature is described as preparing students for a wide array of career fields and graduate education including policy, research, teaching, and law. 

Bwog has reached out to the Barnard Communications with questions about the new major and is currently waiting for a response. This post will be updated as soon as there is any new information.

The Education Department will be holding an open house for any students interested in this new major, as well as other programs in Education Studies, on Thursday, February 18 at 7:30 pm. Students who wish to contact the department for more information should email Pati Argueta-Medina at pargueta@barnard.edu with any questions. 

Email from the Barnard Education Studies Department, sent February 6, at 8:01 am:

Dear Students,

The Barnard College Education Program has a new major in Educational Studies. This major is currently approved for Barnard College students only. Educational Studies is an interdisciplinary program for students who wish to understand, critically analyze, and conduct research on the role of education in society. Students who pursue the major in Educational Studies learn to evaluate educational policy, practice, and research through a critical, equity-oriented lens. Our graduates are prepared to act creatively for peace, justice, and sustainability in a range of local and global educational contexts. Students who major in Educational Studies pursue a diverse range of careers, including, but not limited to: policy research and analysis; post graduate teacher training; working for local and global non-profit organizations; or continuing on to graduate study in education, law, and policy.

The Education Program will be hosting an Open House on Thursday, February 18 at 7:30 pm where you can learn more about all of our programs. Please email our department administrator, Pati Argueta-Medina for more information (pargueta@barnard.edu).

Best,

The Barnard Education Program

Update February 23: We received comment from a Barnard Communications spokesperson that expanded upon the information shared in the original email. Their responses to our inquiries are below.

1. Does Barnard have an official statement about the new major that we can attribute to the College? 

The Barnard College Education Program has a new major in Educational Studies. This major is currently approved for Barnard College students only. Educational Studies is an interdisciplinary program for students who wish to understand, critically analyze, and conduct research on the role of education in society. Students who pursue the major in Educational Studies learn to evaluate educational policy, practice, and research through a critical, equity-oriented lens. Our graduates are prepared to act creatively for peace, justice, and sustainability in a range of local and global educational contexts. Students who major in Educational Studies pursue a diverse range of careers, including, but not limited to: policy research and analysis; post graduate teacher training; working for local and global non-profit organizations; or continuing on to graduate study in education, law, and policy.

2. What class of students will have the option available to declare this major? 
The major is available for sophomores to declare this spring. We have had some juniors who are on track to complete the major apply for a major change, or a double major.

3. Will this major have the same tracks as the minor?
No. The major asks students to choose between one of three areas of concentration: Education, Culture, and Society; Educational Policy; or Comparative and International Education.

4. Will this major lead to a teaching certification?
No. Students who wish to pursue teacher certification should apply to the Urban Teaching Minor program.

5. Is there any plan to allow CC/GS students into the major in the future?
We are pursuing processes to get this major reviewed for students at CC and GS.

6. Will there be new education faculty to support the addition of courses offered?
We are able to offer this new major because we have been expanding the disciplinary breadth of our course offerings over the last several years with the addition of new faculty, while also drawing on existing courses offered across many CU/BC colleges.

Barnard Hall via Bwog Archives