Education and Public Policy, Minor

Program Description

This minor is designed to introduce students to the fundamental tenets of education policy development and analysis in both the U.S. and other countries. Students pursuing the minor may choose from courses on educational policy in the areas of higher education, educational administration, educational theory and policy, and comparative/international education. The minor consists of a multidisciplinary program of study in areas of education related to numerous policy issues including social sciences, history, management sciences, and/or humanities. It is anticipated that students completing the minor will find these studies can enrich any major degree program and potentially provide opportunities for employment and/or graduate studies in state departments of education, ministries of education, federal and international education agencies, academic institutions, and various professional associations.

This 18-credit minor may be combined with any undergraduate major at Penn State.

What is Education and Public Policy?

“Education Policy Studies” is a phrase that refers to a broad range of academic interests and explorations into systems of schooling. The minor is most closely related to our major in Education and Public Policy (B.S.), a multidisciplinary program that critically evaluates how society fosters equity and excellence through education. Courses explore the deep cultural meanings of concepts such as democracy and citizenship, and our faculty encourage active problem-solving skills by using real world examples of government-initiated policies and programs. Through readings, case studies and conversations with your peers, you will uncover the practical effects that policies have on students, teachers, school leaders, families, and the community as a whole. You will also have the opportunity to identify education policies and practices that matter to you and consider various strategies that could be effective in solving emerging problems.

You Might Like This Program If...

• You want to supplement your major field with specialized knowledge about the US education system.
• You want to learn more about the challenges and successes of education reform in the US.
• You want to pursue a career with policy-related non-profits in public service, government, law, or research.
• You are interested in education and want to make a difference in the world.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDTHP 115	Education in American Society	3
EDTHP 200	Educational Reform and Public Policy	3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select 12 credits from the following:		12
Any 400-level CIED course
Any 400-level EDLDR course
Any 200-400 level EDTHP course
Any 400-level HIED course

No prerequisites are required for the minor.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

College of Education
Advising and Certification Center
228 Chambers Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-0488
ed@admissions.psu.edu

Career Paths

Penn State students with a minor in Education and Public Policy have successfully established careers in a wide variety of fields, especially when combined with a major that matches career goals. EPS minors often have concentrations in museum studies, women’s and gender studies, sports education, music and art education, sustainability, and human development and family studies. We welcome all majors and will help you find a combination of courses that match your career goals.

Careers

The Education and Public Policy minor helps prepare students to enter careers in educational organizations, government, public service, non-profits, philanthropy, advocacy, and research. Graduates have worked both domestically and internationally and pursued education- and policy-related paths.

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

EPS students have gone on to pursue graduate degrees in Law, as well as Education Policy, Educational Leadership, Student Affairs, and Higher Education administration. Other related fields include economics, political science, sociology, and social work.

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POLICY STUDIES
300 Rackley Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0619
edpublicpolicy@psu.edu

https://ed.psu.edu/academics/departments/department-education-policy-studies