General Studies

The Education Sciences major promotes an understanding of education and learning systems, policy, and outcomes in traditional and non-traditional contexts. This degree prepares individuals for a variety of career paths and for graduate school.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

School Information

With more than three-dozen faculty and students from all over the world, the School of Teaching & Learning offers on-campus and online programs in a diverse range of subjects in education.
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CONTACT

352.273.4214

P.O. Box 117048
2821 NORMAN HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-7048
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 Curriculum

This major is not a teacher or educator preparation program, rather an exploration of the educational and psychological foundations, research and policy as applied to instruction, learning, and professional development in school and community settings. Core courses serve as an introduction to the many fields of professional practice and research. Students may develop a General Studies curriculum or may choose a specialization in Disabilities in Society, Early Childhood Studies, Educational Psychology and Research, Educational Technology, or Schools, Society and Policy.

Graduates of the major would be prepared for a career in a government, non-profit, or education setting and for graduate studies.  It would be appropriate for students interested in leading discussions about schools and education, informing policy, optimizing e-learning, advocating for accessibility, and supporting the mission of institutions of learning. 

Coursework for the Major

Students must complete 30 credits of coursework for the education sciences major to include a 15-credit core and a 15-credit specialization. The specialization must be declared no later than semester 6.  Each specialization's coursework requirements are specified after the Critical Tracking section. Students must earn a minimum grade of C in a course for it to be applied to the major. A minimum 15 credits of major-related courses must be completed at the University of Florida.

All education sciences majors are required to attend colloquia, contribute to seminars, and participate in experiential learning.

Critical Tracking Courses | 3 courses total

EDF 1005Introduction to Education3
EDF 2085Teaching Diverse Populations3
EME 2040Introduction to Educational Technology3

Core Courses | 5 courses total

EDF 3210Educational Psychology3
EDF 3604Social Foundations of Education3
EDF 3423Educational Research Design3
EEX 2000Impact of Disabilities: Home, Community and Workplace3
EME 3813Technology-Enhanced Learning Environments3
 

General Studies | 5 courses total

Engaging in interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary studies

3000-4999 courses from defined specializations
3000-4999 courses from within the College of Education
3000-4999 courses from outside of the College of Education with pre-approval
3000-4999 special topics

 Capstone Courses 

EDG 2021Critical Issues in Education (S/U; A colloquium series that explores current education issues and research. Guest lectures from faculty)1
EDG 4931Senior Seminar Education Sciences (S/U; Seniors present findings/summary of experiential learning)2
EDG 4078Experiential Learning in Education (Research, Internship, Service Learning, Study Abroad)3

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

  • Complete 1 of 3 critical-tracking courses: EDF 1005, EDF 2085, or EME 2040
  • 2.33 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete 2 of 3 critical-tracking courses 
  • 2.33 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

  • Complete 3 of 3 critical-tracking courses 
  • 2.33 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

SEMESTER 6

SEMESTER 7

SEMESTER 8

  • 2.0 UF GPA required

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

Students are expected to complete the Writing Requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the General Education International (GE-N) and Diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another General Education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S). One of the two General Education Mathematics courses must be a pure math course. A statistics course is recommended for this major but not required.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
State Core Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences 3
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement: 6,000 words 3
State Core Gen Ed Mathematics; STA 2023 recommended 3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
 Credits15
Semester Two
EDF 1005 Introduction to Education (Critical Tracking) 3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement: 6,000 words 3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
Gen Ed Mathematics 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Three
EDF 2085 Teaching Diverse Populations (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences with Diversity) 3
General Education Course with International Content 1 3
Elective; Writing Requirement: 6,000 words 3
Electives 6
 Credits15
Semester Four
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences) 3
EME 2040 Introduction to Educational Technology (Critical Tracking) 3
EEX 2000 Impact of Disabilities: Home, Community and Workplace (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences with Diversity) 3
Elective; Writing Requirement: 6,000 words 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Five
EDF 3604 Social Foundations of Education (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3
EDG 2021 Critical Issues in Education 1
Education Course (3000-4000 Level ) 3
Electives 9
 Credits16
Semester Six
EDF 3210 Educational Psychology (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3
EDG 4078 Experiential Learning in Education 3
Education Courses (3000-4000 Level) 6
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Seven
EDF 3423 Educational Research Design (Critical Tracking) 3
Education Course (Critical Tracking; 3000-4000 Level) 3
Electives 9
 Credits15
Semester Eight
EME 3813 Technology-Enhanced Learning Environments (Critical Tracking) 3
EDG 4931 Senior Seminar Education Sciences 2
Education Course (Critical Tracking; 3000-4000 Level) 3
Electives 6
 Credits14
 Total Credits120
1

Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences with International; Gen Ed Humanities with International; Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences with International


Across the country, graduates with education majors typically are prepared to teach in preschool through grade 12 settings. While many university students complete an education degree with teacher certification and begin teaching, others pursue graduate school or employment in fields where preparation in education is an asset. The BAES is appropriate for students interested in leading and supporting the design and implementation of learning environments, studying and informing education policy, optimizing e-learning, advocating for and developing accessible education options for citizens with disabilities, and supporting the learning and training missions of institutions in the modern economy.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Explain foundational ideas and best practices in educational practices and policies, educational psychology, human exceptionalities, educational statistics and measurement, and educational technologies.
  2. Apply foundational ideas and best practices to understand problems of practice and generate viable solutions in formal and informal education and training settings.

Critical Thinking

  1. Enact goals for professional growth, ethical practices, and continuous improvement.

Communication

  1. Communicate effectively in all forms in a professional environment, adapting appropriately for exceptionality and diversity among individuals.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4
EDF 3604 I I I
EDF 3210 I I I
EEX 2000 I I I
EDF 4430 I I I
EME 3813 I I I
EEX 4810 R R I R
EDF 4440 R R I R
EME 4010 R R I R
EDF 3609 R R I R
EDG 2021 R
EDG 4078 R R R A
EDG 4931 A A A A

Assessment Types

  • Final projects
  • Experiential learning experiences