The Education Department focuses its scholarly and teaching efforts on the study of human learning and development, the history of education, teaching, school reform, and education policy. The concentration in Education Studies is designed for students seeking a broad liberal arts background in the field of education. Concentrators organize a sequence of courses to develop critical and creative skills for addressing educational issues. All concentrators may participate in Department colloquia in which they introduce their research and engage in discussion with fellow concentrators and faculty. This is required of Honors candidates.

In addition to the concentration in Education Studies, the Education Department offers certification programs in teacher education at the elementary and secondary levels. The Undergraduate Teacher Education Program prepares undergraduates for teacher certification in history/social studies, biology, or English at the secondary level, and an integrated B/MAT program in Elementary Education. The department also offers a graduate level Master of Arts in Teaching program in both elementary and secondary teacher certification. For further information on the UTEP and MAT Programs, call the Teacher Education Program in the Education Department at (401) 863-3364.

The current faculty in the Education Department includes scholars in the history of education, public policy and economics, psychology and human development, teacher education, and the social and philosophical foundations of education. Affiliated faculty from the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Public Policy and American Institutions, the Annenberg Institute for School Reform, and the Education Alliance represent the fields of public policy and other subspecialties within education such as school reform and bilingual education. Faculty members in the Education Department are actively engaged in research and teaching. Students should feel free to meet with faculty for advice about developing an Education Studies concentration program.

The Education Department offers a wide range of courses designed for students seeking an understanding of the many facets of education from multi-disciplinary perspectives.

The concentration in Education Studies prepares students for graduate study in education, the social sciences, and other related fields, as well as for professional careers.