Bachelor of Science (BS) in Educational Studies Degree
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Educational Studies Degree
journey today.
The field of education plays a pivotal role in fostering positive changes in communities and society by helping educators prepare young learners for a productive and impactful future. The Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies degree offered by Grand Canyon University is designed to empower you to work toward a brighter future by influencing educational policies, laws, programs and curricula.
When completing this educational studies degree program from the College of Education, you will be expected to critically examine and analyze pedagogical theories, teaching practices, education laws and learning environments. While this program does not lead to teaching licensure, it does teach an invaluable foundation of knowledge surrounding the education profession.
GCU seeks to graduate students with a firm foundational education and the ability to thoughtfully reflect and critically think about the world around them. This comprehensive curriculum guides you in analyzing ethical dilemmas in the educational field through the lens of the Christian perspective. There is a strong emphasis on servant leadership.
This degree program does not lead to initial teacher licensure. You might find this program more conducive to transfer credits compared to traditional teaching licensure programs. We encourage you to reach out to a university counselor to explore your options.
Students looking to further develop their knowledge base and enhance their career opportunities may consider pursuing graduate certificates or graduate degrees in educational studies.
Explore Teaching Practices for Alternative Learning Environments
Young learners need opportunities to achieve their full potential and pursue their ambitions within a supportive environment. An alternative learning environment should provide academic enrichment and whole-child support.
In this program, educational studies majors are expected to develop a firm grasp on the following core areas to develop a well-rounded perspective on teaching practices in alternative learning environments:
At the end of the program, you will complete a practicum/field experience in a nontraditional school setting, during which you have opportunities to gain practical, hands-on knowledge of how to integrate ethical values and servant leadership into the learning environment.
This BS in Educational Studies is a multidisciplinary program with the goal of preparing you to pursue a variety of careers across a diverse range of settings. The foundational skills you will be taught during your coursework may translate to various professions.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for social and community service managers to increase by about 9% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 16,200 jobs in the field.1
Careers related to this degree may include:
Social service manager or specialist
Community service manager or specialist
Government program eligibility interviewer
16,200
Estimated new jobs for social and community service managers from 2022 to 20321
Career Setting Options
With competencies in educational studies, you may choose to pursue a job in any of these settings:2
Future professionals in the education field need thorough academic preparation designed to prepare them for opportunities that allow them to make a positive difference in the lives of young learners. GCU is proud to be an institutionally accredited university — a designation that reflects our commitment to delivering quality education. The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Education shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
BS in Educational Studies Degree FAQs
As you consider your choice of degree programs and careers, you may find that further research into your options is helpful. GCU has compiled the following frequently asked questions and answers with the goal of helping you to make a more informed decision for your educational future.
Educational studies is a broad field of study that involves exploring the education system in nontraditional settings or alternative learning environments. Education does not take place solely within the public school system; students may also learn within private, online or charter schools, and even within nonprofits, community organizations, museums and other nontraditional settings.3 A bachelor’s in educational studies explores topics ranging from teaching methods to communication to child development and beyond — all aimed at preparing graduates for a future in the education system.
An educational studies program can be valuable for those interested in education roles outside traditional teaching. It covers theory, policy and administration, as well as pedagogy techniques to help you prepare for a career devoted to shaping the lives of children, adolescents and adults alike. If you find enjoyment in learning and helping others better understand the world around them, a bachelor’s degree in education studies may be a good fit for you. Furthermore, social and community service managers had a median annual wage of $77,030 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.4
While this degree does not lead to teaching licensure, it enables you to pursue various careers in the educational studies field. An educational study program may also lead to a teaching career in private or charter schools that do not require a teaching license.5 You may also choose to pursue a full teaching degree later on in your career, such as a master’s degree that leads to initial teacher licensure.
The skills you will be taught in this degree program are the same for both the online and on-campus programs. No matter what platform you decide to pursue your degree in, the program is designed to help you prepare to pursue a multitude of different professions in the education field. Topics covered in the educational studies degree online and on campus include a vast assortment of practical teaching methods, as well as social sciences, health and theory within educational fields.
This Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies program consists of a curriculum that is meant to challenge you in your studies and prepare you to excel in your professional goals. The difficulty of the educational studies program at GCU can vary depending on individual strengths, study habits and prior experience. It's designed to be rigorous and comprehensive. Additionally, this program includes many of the same courses as programs that lead to teaching licensure, without the requirement of the practicum/field experience, which may make this non-licensure program more appealing to some. GCU is committed to helping you in every step of your journey by providing student support services both in person and online.
Be the Change in Education
Pursue a bachelor's degree in educational studies to help empower the next generation and transform lives through education.
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Community Service Managers, retrieved on May 3, 2024.
- Best Education Degrees. (n.d.). What Can I Do with a Bachelor’s in Educational Studies Degree? Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- Best Education Degrees. (n.d.). What Can I Do with a Bachelor’s in Educational Studies Degree? Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Social and Community Service Managers, as of May 2023, retrieved on May 3, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as social and community service managers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). How to Become a Kindergarten or Elementary School Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved April 29, 2024.