Why Earn Your Educational Studies Degree at Saint Leo University?
The educational studies major provides opportunities for students to explore the ways in which young people construct knowledge within both informal and formal settings. Specializations are available for students with interest in the education of children (K-6), adolescents (grades 5-9), or young children (Birth - 5 years). In each specialization, students will explore the social, cognitive, psychological, and physiological domains related to building conceptual understanding. The education studies major combines courses from the College of Arts, and Sciences and Allied Services. Students choosing the specialization related to children (grades K-6), adolescents (grades 5-9), or young children (Birth - 5 years), will enroll in a variety of methods courses pertaining to the content disciplines that are present in current educational systems. Students electing the specialization related to adolescents will be required to choose a concentration of courses in one of the following disciplines: English or Social Science.
This program is offered:
Education Center
Online
The educational studies major prepares students for employment with agencies and educational institutions that do not require graduation from an initial certification program as a term of employment.
Est. Time to Complete:
4 years
Credit Hours:
120 hours
Undergraduate Educational Studies Program Details
The B.A. in educational studies major offers three specializations: (1) Education and Children, (2) Education and Adolescents, and (3) Education and Early Childhood Development. Students who graduate with this major are not immediately eligible for certification with the Florida Department of Education.
Learn Your Way:
Online, On Campus, or Near You
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![Saint Leo students and instructor in classroom]()
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What are the on-campus facilities like?
Students who pursue their degrees at Saint Leo’s main campus near sunny Tampa Bay, Florida, join a community of enthusiastic learners just like them.
Elementary Education students enjoy plenty of engaging learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, as well as exciting departmental events.
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What are the benefits of earning your elementary education degree online?
Saint Leo University’s online learning experience provides a well-rounded education with the flexibility to tailor your course of study to meet your individual needs. We know our students have lives outside school, and we seek to meet them where they are. Online students can count on receiving excellent academics as well as opportunities for hands-on learning.
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It will help me be responsive to the latest needs and issues such as gender identity, issues of technology, abuse, and the concerns of the smartphone generation. What I like is that it will teach me how to use applied theology to discuss these issues.
Fr. Rojas
Are education centers near you offering elementary education degree programs?
You may also choose to pursue your degree through one of our education centers, which merge a traditional in-person education with the flexibility to match your lifestyle. Education centers offer eight-week academic terms as well as evening and weekend classes.
Specialization Options
Saint Leo University offers four specialization options for psychology students. You can customize your degree to match your passions by choosing one of the following concentrations.
Prerequisite courses:
- EDU 228 - Educational Technology 3 credits
EDU-228 taken in lieu of COM-140 - EDU 328 - The Adolescent Learner 3 credits
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- EDU 226 - Human Growth and Development 3 credits
Core courses:
- EDU 333 - Adolescent Literacy 3 credits
- EDU 336 - Teaching Reading in the Secondary Content Area 3 credits
- EDU 344 - Practicum I in Middle/Secondary Schools 1 credit
- EDU 345 - Seminar: Becoming a Professional 1 credit
- EDU 350 - Middle and Secondary School Curriculum and Philosophy 3 credits
- EDU 427 - Educational Assessment 3 credits
- EDU 436 - Teaching Writing Across the Curriculum 3 credits
- EDU 450/455 - Practicum II Middle/Secondary School Practicum and Seminar 2 credits
- EDU 470/471 - Practicum III Middle/Secondary Schools Practicum and Seminar 3 credits
- EDU 304 - Human Exceptionalities in the Classroom 3 credits
- EDU 425 - Educational Management and Organization 3 credits
Content Course Selection:
Please choose one from the following: 15 hours of ENGLISH courses at the 200 - 400 level or 15 hours of History/Economics courses at the 100 - 400 level. Students must also take one of the following: EDU 451, 452, 453, or 454 for program completion. Courses for the content area will be selected with the direction and approval of the advisor.
Students are to select 12 hours from any 300/400 Education, Psychology, Sociology or Anthropology course. Courses for the final semester will be selected with the direction and approval of the advisor.
- EDU 324 - Child Guidance & Classroom Management for Young Children 3 credits
- EDU 341 - ESOL Foundations Cross-Cultural Communication & Applied Linguistics 3 credits
- EDU 346 - Literacy Foundations for Young Children 3 credits
- EDU 348 - Emergent Literacy for Young Children 3 credits
- EDU 353 - Early Childhood Growth & Development 3 credits
- EDU 355 - Integrated Math and Science in Early Childhood Education 3 credits
- EDU 362 - Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction 3 credits
- EDU 364 - Early Childhood Health and Wellness 3 credits
- EDU 304 - Human Exceptionalities in the Classroom 3 credits
- EDU 366 - Play as Pedagogy 3 credits
- EDU 369 - Creative Arts for Young Children 3 credits
- EDU 407 - Observing, Assessing, & Instructional Planning for Young Children 3 credits
- EDU 370 - Brain Based Learning in the Digital Age 3 credits
- EDU 409 - Str2eam in Early Childhood 3 credits
- EDU 411 - Social Justice, Faith and Values, Early Learning 3 credits
- EDU 337 - Children's Literature 3 credits
- EDU 413 - Home & Community Relations 3 credits
- EDU 428 - 21st Century Implications for Education 3 credits
- EDU 498 - Final Internship & Seminar: Service 3 credits
- IDSE 405 - Interdisciplinary Creative Photovoice 3 credits
Career Outlook
No matter which learning experience you choose, you will receive plenty of professional development opportunities, industry knowledge from expert professors, and support from the Saint Leo community. All this together means that you will be ready for a successful career or continued studies upon graduation.
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![Saint Leo University students in Psychology classroom]()
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How will you gain real experience?
The education studies major combines courses from the College of Arts, and Sciences and Allied Services. Students choosing the specialization related to children (grades K-6), adolescents (grades 5-9), or young children (Birth - 5 years), will enroll in a variety of methods courses pertaining to the content disciplines that are present in current educational systems.
What can you do with an undergraduate educational studies degree?
The educational studies major prepares students for employment with agencies and educational institutions that do not require graduation from an initial certification program as a term of employment.
Student Stories
Saint Leo’s nursing program gave me courage to have confidence in myself and my skills. Doing the DEU program expanded my knowledge and independence in my skills. After completing the DEU program, I felt confident in every unit I went to.
Grace Lundfelt
I chose Saint Leo’s nursing program because of its dedication to building a brand new nursing program that is committed to excellence and student success. The program's emphasis on hands-on clinical experience with the DEU preceptorship model and a supportive learning environment aligns perfectly with my goals as a future nurse.
Emma Hayhurst
Our simulations were very well thought out and creative, using the most up-to-date technology, allowing us to experience certain health situations such as delivering babies and providing wound care.
Laynee Marsee Graduate of the inaugural nursing class; Graduated May 2025
I got to apply everything I learned in real time with a single preceptor. The hands-on experience made the lectures come to life and helped me build confidence in my skills. (Regarding Saint Leo Nursing Program's partnership with Advent Health Zephyrhills dedicated education)
Avae Valenti - Graduate of the inaugural nursing class; Graduated May 2025<
Being a part of a program that just is going to grow and grow as the years go by, and to be remembered as the first class is really special.
Nathanael Allen - Graduate of the inaugural nursing class; Graduated May 2025
Being part of the first Saint Leo Nursing cohort has been an incredibly unique and rewarding experience. There was something really special about growing alongside the program. We had the chance to help shape the culture and set the tone for future nursing classes. It wasn’t always easy—there were definitely growing pains—but the sense of community, support, and dedication from the faculty made a huge difference. I felt seen, heard, and truly supported, both academically and personally.
Graduate Brenna Reinhard
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Accreditation
Saint Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.