Educational Studies: Equity, Diversity Inclusion (B.A.)

Educational Studies: Equity, Diversity Inclusion (B.A.)

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What is educational studies: diversity, equity and inclusion?

The educational studies: equity, diversity and inclusion degree is for students committed to making a difference as teachers in elementary schools. In this four-year teaching program, you will explore what it means to be an educated, civically and globally engaged person working toward a fully inclusive, participatory democracy. You will learn how schools are organized and their links to broader social and cultural histories that are rooted in systemic inequities and asymmetrical distribution of educational resources and opportunities. Graduates of the program will be eligible for NH teacher certification in Elementary Education plus English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

Why study educational studies: diversity, equity and inclusion at UNH?

As a major research university, we place emphasis on hands-on learning and research with faculty, giving you valuable experience that will be relevant both inside and outside the classroom. Community engagement also is central to the mission of the Education Department, resulting in strong collaborative relationships and opportunities with schools and community agencies in the region and internationally. Several outreach programs work in surrounding communities to increase literacy, offer English for Speakers of Other Languages instruction and provide special needs services. With additional study, this program allows you to complete a Master of Arts in Teaching or Master of Education degree.

Potential careers

  • Elementary school teacher
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Department of Education
Morrill Hall
University of New Hampshire
62 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
 

education.department@unh.edu
Phone: (603) 862-2310
Fax: (603) 862-2174

 

Curriculum & Requirements

The UNH major in educational studies: equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) offers students committed to becoming teachers in elementary school settings opportunities to integrate knowledge and research methodologies from several academic disciplines and field sites into a focused examination of the interdisciplinary field of education. The four-year educational studies: EDI major program is designed for students who seek a rich understanding of education grounded in science, the arts and the humanities. The principles of equity, diversity and inclusion are woven throughout every course and field experience. All declared majors choose one of two strands of EDI: special education or multilingual learners. Graduates will be eligible for certification by the NH Department of Education in elementary education plus English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

The goal of the program is to graduate civically, globally and intellectually engaged students who understand the complexities of education, are capable of analyzing and evaluating complex problems influencing education from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, and are committed to becoming community teachers — teachers who are leaders and role-models in the communities in which they teach. Program graduates will be prepared for present and future challenges as well as for a wide range of employment opportunities in educational and professional settings engaged in educational policy, community-based education and educational advocacy.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: Yes

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

The major in educational studies: equity, diversity, and inclusion requires 88-98 credits with each course completed with a B- or better. The required minimum overall GPA in major coursework is 3.0.

Foundations (24 credits)
EDUC 402Introduction to Educational Studies: Social Change and Education in Local and Global Contexts4
EDUC 500Exploring Teaching4
EDUC 525Teaching Race4
or EDUC 520 Education, Poverty, and Development
EDUC 605Educational Perspectives in Critical Times4
EDUC 656Advocating for Diverse and Inclusive Family-School-Community Partnerships4
EDUC 701Human Development & Learning: Cultural Perspectives4
or PSYC 581 Child Development
Curriculum and Methods (36 credits)
MATH 601Exploring Mathematics for Teachers I4
MATH 703Teaching of Mathematics in Grades K-54
EDUC 703CClassroom Management: Creating Positive Learning Environments4
EDUC 703FTeaching Elementary School Science4
EDUC 703MTeaching Elementary Social Studies4
EDUC 706Teaching & Learning Literacy in the Elementary Classroom4
EDUC 733Teaching Writing in the Elementary Grades4
or EDUC 734 Critical Perspectives on Children's Literature
EDUC 751AInclusive Elementary Education: Literacies and Learning for Diverse Learners4
EDUC 761Designing Curriculum for Inclusive, Equitable Settings for Young Children (birth-8)4
Field Experiences: Communities and Classrooms (2-6 credits)
(2-6 credits of one or more of the following 500/600 field experience courses)
EDUC 506Mentoring Readers and Writers in the Elementary Grades4
EDUC 556Peer to Peer Mentoring for Students with Disabilities2
EDUC 610HField Experience in Educational Studies1-8
Choose ONE of the following two paths:
PATH A: Inclusive Education for Students with Disabilities (12 credits)
EDUC 650Introduction to Disability in Inclusive Schools and Communities4
EDUC 739Equitable Assessment and Individualized Educational Planning: Building Access and Agency4
EDUC 740Advanced Methods for Inclusive Curricular Design and Teaching: Building Access and Agency, Part II4
PATH B: Multilingual Learners (16 credits)
ENGL 405Introduction to Linguistics4
or ENGL 791 English Grammar
EDUC 550Language and Linguistic Diversity in Schools4
or ENGL 719 Sociolinguistics Survey
ENGL 715Teaching English as a Second Language: Theory and Methods4
or EDUC 712 Teaching Multilingual Learners
ENGL 716Curriculum, Materials and Assessment in English as a Second Language4
Culminating Experiences (16 credits)
EDUC 798Internship and Seminar in Inclusive Teaching4
EDUC 799Internship and Seminar in Inclusive Teaching8
EDUC 784Educators as Community-Engaged Researchers4

Course selection for a B.A. in Educational Studies is designed in close consultation with an Education Department advisor.

Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.

  • GOAL ONE: Our students effectively analyze the social dimensions of education, to include issues of culture, gender, equity, health and economics.
  • GOAL TWO. Our students are able to recognize and respond to systematic and pervasive acts of marginalization that may percolate through schools and school communities and are situated within the contexts of more complex intersections among students’ abilities, languages, races, ethnicities, religions, genders and sexualities, all of which impact student identity, motivation, interest and connection to education.
  • GOAL THREE. Our students demonstrate depth of knowledge in their subjects; recognize how knowledge in their subjects is created, organized and linked to other disciplines; identify the organizing themes and central concepts necessary for understanding a subject; and identify associated content necessary for students to understand these themes and concepts.
  • GOAL FOUR. Our students understand how students develop and learn; treat students equitably and work diligently to help each student reach his or her potential; and create and maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning.
  • GOAL FIVE. Our students demonstrate specialized knowledge of how to teach subject matter to their students. They use multiple approaches to facilitate student learning. They create lessons that are engaging, appropriately challenging, and motivating for students. They involve students in thoughtful inquiry and reflection.
  • GOAL SIX. Our students use multiple strategies to assess students, regularly assess student progress using appropriate measures, and demonstrate the ability to make informed decisions about students and their learning based on classroom, district and state assessments.
  • GOAL SEVEN. Our students make well-reasoned choices and decisions within the complex and demanding conditions of teaching. They analyze the effects of their actions and make appropriate changes. They consider the moral and philosophical implications of educational decisions. They improve their practice by reflecting on their own experience, observing others, seeking advice and drawing upon educational research and scholarship.
  • GOAL EIGHT. Our students assess the relative merits of educational reform efforts and determine their appropriateness to the classroom, school and broader societal contexts in which teaching and learning occur. They develop and articulate their own conceptual and philosophical perspective on teaching and learning based on professional experience and current theories and research in education. They understand the nature of educational change, the teacher's role in the change process, and are willing to take risks as advocates for the benefit of students, teachers and the profession.
  • GOAL NINE. Our students are active members of learning and professional communities. They work with colleagues to enhance their own teaching, learning and professional development, and work collaboratively with students, peers, and community members to create and contribute to effective learning environments.

Explore Program Details

In spring of the second year by April 15th, students must formally apply to the teacher certification program.  

Send Application Materials to the Education Department (Sto.Austin@unh.edu) 

  • Minimum GPA: 3.0 
  • Successful Completion of EDUC 500 (The Department has direct access to the instructor’s assessment of your performance) 
  • Praxis CORE test:  
    • Applicants must obtain, at a minimum, a qualifying score (as set by the state of New Hampshire at the time of testing) on all three (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) Core exams in order to be considered for admission. 
    • Current NH qualifying scores may be found at the ETS Praxis Website under the “Tests required for all licensure areas” page. 
    • To have scores sent to our office, please use the recipient code 3922. 
    • You need to have a passing score in all three areas. For general information about test scores required for admission into our programs please visit our Test Scores webpage. 
  • Personal Statement/Essay Questions: 
    • In no more than two pages (double space), describe the reasons you wish to pursue the EDI program, including relevant personal qualities and life experiences that have shaped your beliefs about learning, development and teaching diverse learners. 
  • State and Federal Background Check 
    • UNH Education Department’s information on the Background Check.
    • Please fill out the Mandatory Background Check #1.
    • Please include the confirmation email verifying that you have applied for your background check as a document with your application.
          • (Please note that all applicants must forward the background clearance email to education.department@unh.edu Attn: Department Chair upon receipt from NHDOE to proceed in the Teacher Preparation Program. The final background check approval is not required for this application, but only the documentation confirming that you have applied for the background check with NHDOE.)
  • EDI Field Experience hours log (click here)
    • Document 100 hours of working with students and families 
    • Within those 100 hours, 40 hours should be with youth/families whose backgrounds are different from the student’s own. 

Print/save the above information
EDI Field Experience Hours Log Form

Because the EDI major is an intense major, the Education department has provided a Cohort curriculum map for EDI students.  

Internal Transfer (UNH students) 

The major requires a minimum of 90-98 credits, without counting the 44 credits to meet UNH Discovery and Foreign Language Proficiency Requirements. Additionally, several of the required courses have intensive fieldwork components, which complicate the possibility of scheduling extra courses during a semester in order to catch up. Given the heavy requirements, the EDI major is best suited for first-year students (rising Sophomores).  

Internal transfer students—i.e., UNH students who are not EDI majors—must do the following:   

  • Complete and submit the Application/Qualtrics form.   
  • GPA: 3.0 or higher  
  • Attendance at an Information Session (mandarory). Fall 2023 Schedule:
    • Tuesday, October 10 12:30 - 2 PM. Morrill Hall, Room 106 or
    • Tuesday, November 14. 12:30 - 2 PM. Morrill Hall, Room 106
    • Please RSVP at education.department@unh.edu.
  • Interview with the Director of Undergraduate Programs in Educational Studies, EK Cho (EunKyeong.Cho@unh.edu) 
  • Complete or being enrolled in: EDUC 402 
  • Deadline for all Application materials: November 1 (Fall) and March 1 (Spring) 

External Transfer 

Undergraduate students enrolled at institutions other than UNH should apply for transfer admission through the Office of Admissions.  UNH and CCSNH (Community College System of New Hampshire) have a joint agreement for community college students transferring to UNH. Transfer students (freshman only) from other institutions need to contact the Education Department at education.department@unh.edu. 

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