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Online BA in Liberal Studies: Education Studies, Non-Licensure

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Explore Professional Opportunities within Education

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  • Duration 3.5 Years
  • Cost per Credit $410
  • Credit Hours 120

Program Benefits

  • Prepare for a range of careers in education
  • Gain the credential to pursue graduate study in a program that accepts up to 90 transfer credits
  • Learn on your schedule in an online asynchronous classroom
  • One-on-one instruction from expert faculty

An Education Degree Tailored to Your Goals

Prepare for education careers outside of the classroom with the online BA in Liberal Studies: Education Studies, Non-Licensure degree from The American Women’s College of Bay Path University (TAWC). The program offers personalized instruction from faculty with industry experience, plus the opportunity to design your own curriculum to align with your goals. Graduate ready to begin a rewarding career or pursue advanced opportunities with a master’s degree.

Customize Your Learning Experience

3.5 Years

120 Total Credits

The online Bachelor’s in Education Studies, Non-Licensure degree requires the completion of 120 total credits, including TAWC’s undergraduate liberal studies courses and the program’s major courses. With this degree, you’ll customize your learning experience by choosing 44 credits of elective courses based on your professional interests.

To view the complete list of program courses, visit the curriculum for all liberal studies programs.

Required Education Studies, Non-Licensure Major Courses

This course provides students with background and context for thinking critically about the challenges facing elementary school educators and the cognitive, social-emotional, and linguistic needs of learners in the classroom. Students will develop an understanding of the characteristics and instructional implications of moderately and severely disabling conditions. With exposure to the major socio-cultural factors that continue to shape education within a complex, students will reflect on their role as future professionals in an ever-changing digitally-dependent society. Observation/fieldwork is required.

This course deals with the implications of disabling conditions on optimal learning potential and daily well-being of children. Emphasis is on identification of disabling conditions and techniques used to promote successful integration of children with and without special needs in education settings. Topics covered include familiarity with individualized education plans, intervention and instructional strategies for diverse learners, including cognitive, social and emotional strategies, and collaborative partnerships with families and community resources. Observations are required.

This course explores curriculum design and classroom management strategies for teachers using cognitive, social, and emotional guidelines presented in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Topics include instructional design and delivery methods, technology as a curriculum resource, formal and informal assessment techniques and their connection to instructional planning, effective communication with children and adults, and strategies for engaged and effective learning. Observations/fieldwork are required.

Prerequisite: Completion of all 100 and 200 level courses in education and Junior status. This course must be taken at Bay Path University

Students plan, implement, and assess curriculum and instruction using the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Emphasis is on explorations in mathematics and problem solving, science and the process of inquiry, social studies and American civic culture, and integration of technology into the curriculum. Special attention will be given to a variety of methods of assessment. Observations/fieldwork are required.

Prerequisite: EDU 330 and Junior status. This course must be taken at Bay Path University

This course provides the opportunity to study literary concepts and purposes in writings designed primarily for, but not confined to, young minds. The heritage of children’s literature is considered in relation to selected representative works, both traditional and recent. Also considered are the uses, presentation, and critical evaluation of children’s literature from a multi-cultural, nonsexist and international perspective. This course addresses English standards for teachers in early childhood and elementary education: children’s and young adult literature, genres, literary elements, and literary techniques.

Prerequisite or corequisite: ENG 134

This course is a study of developmental changes from birth through 12 years old. Prenatal and neonatal issues are also discussed. Physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth are explored at each age. The dominant theories of development are examined, as well as contemporary issues relating to childhood and parenting.

Prerequisite: PSY 101

The BA in Liberal Studies: Education Studies, Non-Licensure program requires 59 credits of major electives:

  • Career Electives (3 credits)
  • Education Electives (12 credits)
  • General Electives (44 credits)

Learn more about which courses apply to these credits by speaking with an enrollment counselor.

Choose one of the following

In this course students will apply the practices for effective reading and writing introduced in ENG 114 to the distinctive language and forms of various disciplines. This course lays the foundation for academic and professional research and stresses the use of appropriate and effective information sources. Readings for a variety of academic audiences will provide students with strategies to communicate in the sciences, business and technology, psychology, liberal studies, and the social sciences. Research and documentation skills appropriate to the disciplines are stressed. In addition to leading students through the research process from start to finish, this course will examine the many ramifications of academic honesty.

Prerequisite: ENG 114

Selected readings in fiction, poetry, and drama introduce the student to literary types and techniques. These readings provide a basis for collegiate-level discussion, analysis, and the development of critical judgment. Building on the communications and research skills from earlier courses in the sequence, this course emphasizes continued practice in writing, and students complete a documented research paper using primary and secondary sources as one of the course writing assignments. Discussions and oral presentations based on assigned literature support the overall goal of the sequence: to enhance the advancement of the students, first academically and then professionally.

Prerequisite: ENG 114

What You’ll Learn

The online BA in Liberal Studies: Education Studies, Non-Licensure degree allows you to choose what you learn through a customizable curriculum. While the program’s core courses deliver skills in special education, child development, classroom management, and children’s literature, you’ll choose your own learning outcomes with elective courses based on your professional interests.

By Graduation, You’ll Have Skills to:

Explore Education Careers that Go Beyond the Classroom

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of education is expected to grow 7% through 2031, creating more than 658,000 new jobs.1 Explore education career paths that do not require a teaching license with the online Bachelor’s in Education Studies, Non-Licensure degree. You’ll graduate ready to pursue careers that go beyond the classroom, along with graduate study opportunities.

Explore Careers

Learn from Industry Experts

At The American Women’s College, your learning is expanded by the rich workplace experience our faculty bring to the classroom. Faculty are professionals who hold an array of titles in the fields they teach. Their involvement in the day-to-day challenges of their role and industry brings curriculums to life with real-world examples as you connect what you learn to what they share.

Faculty Spotlight

Each faculty member at TAWC incorporates real industry experience into each lesson. As a student, you’ll receive personalized, one-on-one support and graduate fully prepared to face the challenges of your chosen field.

Shirley Montovani, Associate Director, Education, The American Women’s College

Shirley started her educational journey by obtaining her associate degree in psychology at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Florida. Upon returning back to Western Massachusetts, she continued her education at Westfield State College and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She worked in human services and sales and marketing until making the decision to continue her education at Cambridge College, earning a master’s in education degree and becoming a licensed school guidance counselor.

After briefly working as the director of career services for a proprietary school, she was given the opportunity to work as the first educator coach for the One Day students at Bay Path University in January 2014. She is currently the associate academic director of education & justice studies programs at TAWC, collaborating with the School of Education on the main campus. She shares that she is truly inspired and commends all of the students for taking this step to continue their educational and career goals.

Choose Your Major

Customize your BA in Liberal Studies degree by choosing from a variety of career-focused majors designed to help you achieve your professional goals. A general degree pathway is also available.

BA in Liberal Studies: Early Childhood Education Licensure

Prepare to become a licensed teacher in the state of Massachusetts and make a difference in the lives of young students.

BA in Liberal Studies: Early Childhood Leadership

Understand the needs of young children through courses that examine supportive teaching strategies, early childhood development, and disabilities.

BA in Liberal Studies: Elementary Education Licensure

Prepare for elementary teaching positions as an educator licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.

Choosing a major for your degree allows you to gain career-ready skills in a specific area of expertise. These specialty skills will allow you to stand out among other professionals in your field and better compete for the position you want.

You’ll complete 120 total credits to earn the online BA in Liberal Studies: Education Studies, Non-Licensure major. You can review the courses now.

No, a major is not required for the online BA in Liberal Studies program. You may choose the standard Liberal Studies degree or one of four major options, which include:

  1. Early Childhood Education Licensure
  2. Early Childhood Leadership
  3. Education Studies, Non-Licensure
  4. Elementary Education Licensure

You can learn more about coursework for this program on our courses page.

The requirements for the online BA in Liberal Studies program include:

  • Submit your application.
  • Submit official high school transcripts and college transcripts if applicable.
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

You can learn more about our admission requirements on our admission page.

No. All of the Liberal Studies major core courses are specific to your chosen concentration. You may only move from your chosen concentration to the general Liberal Studies program.

Graduates of the online BA in Liberal Studies: Education Studies, Non-Licensure program often go on to pursue master’s-level study in education or have careers in child-based community programming, classroom environments, and daycare settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a growing need for educators, with the field expected to grow 7% through 2031. Learn more about your career options by visiting our careers page.

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Source

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Education, Training, and Library Occupations.” Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/home.htm.