BA Educational Studies graduates have a wide range of career options and job prospects ahead of them. Some common careers include working in care homes with elderly or young people, information and vocational learning, professional development, educational training and curriculum development.
Overview
Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Educational Studies degree have a wealth of career opportunities ahead of them. Education provides the foundation for growth and achievement across all sectors. This degree enables students to understand the role of education outside the traditional school setting, as a means for human growth and development. There are highly skilled educators at work anywhere human beings share knowledge.
These educational policy makers, librarians, corporate trainers and professional developers, instructors, health educators, learning or public policy consultants, tutors, academic advisors and career counsellors (to name just a few) apply their knowledge of how and why people learn to their daily work, as they contribute to their communities and succeed in their chosen fields.
The BA, Educational Studies program provides both international and domestic students with the depth of knowledge needed to understand education and its role in society today. Students in this program develop the essential skills necessary to succeed in educational work outside of the traditional classroom. They benefit from the Faculty of Education’s strength in the study of education and York University’s strength in the arts, humanities and social sciences.
Please note: The program curriculum is the same for both international and domestic students. Click here for more information for international students.
Important note: The BA Educational Studies does not lead to teacher certification.
For information on teacher certification, please see our Bachelor of Education (BEd) program.
Study Options:
- BA (Honours) with a major in Educational Studies (no minor)
- BA (Honours) with a major in Educational Studies and a minor in another faculty
- BA (Honours) with a major in Educational Studies and a major in another faculty (double major option)
- A minor in Educational Studies, taken in conjunction with another degree
Visit Academic Calendars BA Educational Studies for degree requirements.
Visit our Program Information Sessions
(Be sure to search by 'Education' under the 'Events by Faculty' category).
Undergraduate Certificate in Educational Development
Students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (Educational Studies) can take three courses within the degree program in order to concurrently achieve an Undergraduate Certificate in Educational Development. This path provides students with additional preparation and potential career options in the growing field of educational development! Courses include:
- ED/EDST3500 - Introduction to Educational Development (3.00)
- ED/EDST3510 - Teaching & Supporting Teaching Online (3.00)
- ED/EDST4998 - Advanced Studies and Practices in Educational Development (6.00)
Your Degree, Your Way
The BA – Educational Studies degree requires the completion of 120 credits (four years). Your courses will consist of Major courses in the three focal areas of Engagement, Values and Representation, General Education and Elective credits, as well as the Experience, Inquire, Contribute (EIC) component.
Year 1
First Year will introduce you to the university environment, provide you with general education courses, and allow options for you to study courses aligned with your own interests.
Year 2
In Second Year, you will continue your development in the fundamentals of Education.
Year 3
Third Year: Take your skills and knowledge into the field through your Community/Learning Placements within the community and or partnered organizations.
Year 4
In your Fourth Year, focus on the specialized courses in your field and take advantage of our faculty research opportunities.
York Courses | What You’ll Study | Courses Offered
The program includes an experiential component, the Experience, Inquire, Contribute (EIC) component, and course offerings clustered into three focal/topical areas:
- Engagements - focused on the development of professional skills
- Values - focused on who and why we educate
- Representations - focused on understanding the idea of education
Experiential Education
Students will participate in opportunities for learning placements within the community or in related organizations as part of the Bachelor of Arts (Educational Studies).
The Faculty of Education’s community-based learning offers students an opportunity to put theory to practice in the field of learning and education. As a student of our Educational Studies program, you’ll develop workplace-specific skills and enhance your professional networks – all while completing your degree.
York has partnered with 130 community organizations across the Greater Toronto Area, and over 4,600 York students have completed community placements.
Types of placements include:
- Special Needs
- Arts
- Environmental Education
- After School/Pathway Programs: Tutoring, Mentoring
- Libraries and Museums
- Community and Health Centres
- Shelters
- Early Learning Years Centers
Examples of community partner organizations: CLICK HERE
Student Support
Our inclusive approach honours diversity and the rich demographic mix of our school communities.
Advising
Students in the Bachelor of Arts (Educational Studies) are welcome to set up a one-on-one advising session with the Student Services Office any time in order to ensure that they are on track with their degrees.
Support for Students with Special Needs
Students of York University with any of the following conditions may access support through Counselling and Disability Services (CDS)
- Learning Disability
- Physical, Sensory and Medical Disability
- Mental Health Disability
Students' Association & College Affiliation
Students who are registered in the Bachelor of Arts (Educational Studies) are also officially affiliated with Winters College and are encouraged to get involved in the Faculty of Education Student Association (FESA).
International Students
How to Apply
In order to apply to the Bachelor of Arts (Educational Studies) follow the application steps found at http://futurestudents.yorku.ca.
If you have any questions or require advising, please contact the undergraduate Recruitment, Admissions and Student Services Office in the Faculty of Education.
Rankings
Top 35 in the World
York University named as one of the world’s leading universities in the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, jumping five spots from last year.
Top 5
Faculty of Education ranks 5th in Canada in the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject
Top 100
Faculty of Education ranks 66th globally in the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject
Top 150 in the World
The Faculty of Education ranks 126-150 (THE's 2024 Times Higher Education Rankings)
Top 80
for Research Quality (THE's 2024 Times Higher Education Rankings)
Top 10
The Faculty of Education has consistently been in the Top 10 schools in Canada for the last 4 years (Maclean’s 2024)
