Education Major

Teaching is the ultimate way to shape the future. At Champlain College, you’ll be in classrooms during your first year, building deep expertise that leads to licensure.

The Head of the Class

Get field experience through our Upside-Down Curriculum, and maximize your experiential learning.

Program Type: Major

School/Division: School of Social Innovation

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Step Forward and Craft a Better Future.

As a student in Champlain’s Education major, you’ll start spending time in local classrooms in your first year. With support and expert guidance, you’ll increase your classroom involvement throughout the following semesters until you’re ready to take the lead. Our holistic approach to teacher education will equip you to teach in a variety of settings, and you’ll choose a focus for licensure endorsement. You can specialize in grades ranging from early childhood through high school, and you can focus in many different subject areas. Your Faculty Advisor will help you find the perfect academic pathway to your ideal teaching career.

What Is Education?

There will always be a need for qualified and passionate educators. By majoring in Education, you’re taking the first step toward becoming a teacher or administrator in an educational setting. This can prepare you for a career in public or private schools, or in other settings such as colleges, community organizations, and private tutoring.

Why Study it at Champlain College?

Champlain’s Education major offers a breadth of concentrations available, with each corresponding to a teaching licensure endorsement. Want to be a middle school social studies teacher? Through that concentration, you’ll have deep subject-area training and the opportunity to graduate with licensure. The concentrations are designed to mix and match as you choose or enable you to select a minor. A dedicated Faculty Advisor will help you navigate these options and choose the concentration(s) that suit you best.

As an Education major at Champlain, you’ll spend time in a local school beginning in your first year, getting a head start in building the skills and experience to launch your teaching career with confidence.

You’ll quickly discover where your strengths and interests lie—or if the field is right for you—through the Upside-Down Curriculum. Working with various age groups and populations early on, you’ll begin to focus your academic journey by declaring a concentration(s) after your first year.

education students sit at desks, having a discussion, laughing

Different by Design

Real Classrooms, Right Away

The Education program and Upside-Down Curriculum will put you in local classrooms your first semester at Champlain College, which is unheard of for other education programs.

Choose Your Specialty

Know what grade and subject you want to teach? There’s a concentration for that. And each of Champlain’s subject and grade-level concentrations can lead to licensure.

Guides to Show the Way

Your professors become your reliable mentors, pointing out academic and co-curricular activities to build your professional skillset and enhance your resume.

Facts & Stats

100%

of Education majors in the Class of 2023 achieved career success within six months after graduation. That’s success you can see.

97%

of our Early Childhood/Elementary Education majors over the last six years were either employed or continuing their education within 6 months after graduation.

THE BEST

Champlain College was listed among the “Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report in 2025.

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Sample Courses in the Education Major

Our Education curriculum is designed for students who want to jump into the classroom and get a head start on their careers. You’ll get equipped with a strong foundation in psychology, teaching methods, and skills you’ll need for a successful career. You’ll tailor your learning through a concentration – or several – that combines your interests and passions with specific areas in the field. Check out some of the engaging and hands-on courses in our program.

First Year

EDU 110 Foundations of Learning and Teaching

EDU 112 Integrating Technology

Second Year

EDU 230 Content Literacy

EDU 233 Teaching Diverse Learners

Third Year

EDU 270 Service Learning to Connect Schools and Society

EDU 335 Curriculum Design & Differentiated Instruction

Fourth Year

EDU 425 Reflective Practices in Education

EDU 490 Integrated Curr & Student Teaching

See the Learning Outcomes for the Education major

View Full Curriculum

Students will examine contemporary learning theories, models, and research-based practices in education which have evolved from historical and psychological perspectives on human development and learning. Working from these theoretical frameworks and approaches students will develop plans for student learning in inclusive, prosocial learning environments using a variety of instructional strategies. Students will explore community-based professional educational contexts.

Prerequisites
Credits	3

Students will learn to facilitate the integration of technology skills and concepts through designing supporting curriculum, identifying and evaluating software, and developing and practicing methods for technology use. Students will design lessons and learning opportunities using the ISTE standards for middle/secondary level students. This course prepares education students to develop their professional portfolio.

Prerequisites
Credits	3

Students will learn to construct a framework for supporting and teaching reading in the content area. We will focus on developing research-based methods, strategies, and procedures for designing instruction that supports literacy in each of the core disciplines: Math, Science, English, and History. We will develop skills in assessing reading levels and teaching vocabulary development and reading strategies. Students spend two hours a week in a field experience.

Prerequisites	Take EDU-110
Credits	3

Course provides students with an understanding of children and youth with disabilities and other special needs. Students learn about the community services, educational programs, and services designed to help children with special needs reach their maximum potential. Emphasis is on the characteristics of various disabilities, their effect on children and their families, strategies for effective intervention, and special needs and strategies that promote the acceptance of diversity in the classroom. Best practices for inclusion including curriculum adaptations and accommodations, and effective strategies for collaboration among professionals will be discussed. (Spring only)

Prerequisites	Complete EDU-110
Credits	3

Students will learn how to use collaborative educational models such as service learning as a strategy to connect schools and the society within which they exist. Through field experiences students will participate in one or more service-learning project(s). Emphasis placed on engaging learners in interdisciplinary critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.

Prerequisites	Complete EDU-110
Credits	3

Students will investigate and implement differentiated instruction as a philosophical approach to meeting the instructional needs of all students in a middle/high school classroom. We will also examine and apply differentiated learning strategies to real life situations. Differentiating lesson plans and instruction will be modeled throughout this course. This course will include a two-three hour field placement in a differentiated classroom.

Prerequisites	EDU-245
Credits	2

In preparation for completing their final licensure portfolio students will gain practice demonstrating proficiency in education program, Vermont licensure, and national level standards. Students will identify evidence that exhibits proficiency in specific practice behaviors for each standard. Students will describe and analyze the context and rationale for choosing artifacts that demonstrate meeting a standard, analyze the evidence in terms of proficiency of the standard and the theoretical frameworks informing practice, and finally, reflect on how they will continue to develop in each area.

Prerequisites	Education major senior level status or permission of the program director.
Credits	1

Students will spend four and one-half days each week as a student teacher in a kindergarten through sixth grade classroom. Lesson plans and a two-week thematic unit will be developed and taught under the supervision of the cooperating teacher and college supervisor. Lesson and unit plans will be linked with the Vermont Standards. Weekly seminars will provide opportunities for students to share learning and teaching experiences as well as to share information on teacher licensing, final portfolio development and job placement. (Spring only)

Prerequisites	EDU-312 and EDU-313 (Elementary Ed) or EDU-335 (Middle and Secondary Ed). Must complete 90 credits, pass the Praxis I exam and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better to enroll in this course.
Credits	9

Concentrations

Computer Science Education Concentration

Tailor your Education degree with a Computer Science Education concentration and learn the skills to teach students to use computer technology to solve problems at Champlain College.
Early Childhood Education Concentration

Tailor your Education degree with a Early Childhood Education concentration and develop the skills to educate children from birth to age eight at Champlain College.
Elementary Teacher Education Concentration

Tailor your Education degree with a Elementary Teacher Education concentration and develop the skills to teach elementary children Kindergarten through Grade 6 at Champlain College.
Middle Grades & Secondary Education Concentration

Tailor your Education degree with a Middle Grades & Secondary Education concentration and develop the skills to teach grades six through 12 at Champlain College.
Middle Grades English Language Arts Concentration

Tailor your Education degree with a Middle Grades English Language Arts concentration and develop the skills to teach english and language arts at Champlain College.
Middle Grades Mathematics Concentration

Tailor your Education degree with a Middle Grades Mathematics concentration and develop the skills to teach mathematics and critical thinking at Champlain College.
Middle Grades Social Studies Concentration

Tailor your Education degree with a Middle Grades Social Studies concentration and develop the skills to teach the topic of social studies at the middle school level at Champlain College.
Secondary Level English Concentration

Tailor your Education degree with a Secondary Level English Concentration and develop the skills to teach the topic of english at the high school level at Champlain College.
Secondary Level Mathematics Concentration

Tailor your Education degree with a Secondary Level Mathematics Concentration and develop the skills to teach math at the high school level at Champlain College.
Secondary Level Social Studies Concentration

Tailor your Education degree with a Secondary Level Social Studies Concentration and develop the skills to teach social studies at the high school level at Champlain College.

You might also be interested in these…

Based on your interest in the Education major, we thought you also might like to check out these other academic programs and opportunities.

Majors
- Integrative Professional Studies Major
  
  Design your own major through Champlain’s Degree Design Lab. You’ll combine courses and real-world learning experiences to personalize your own education.
- Digital Humanities Major
  
  Be a digital pioneer. Bring the fullness of your human self to the study of emerging technology, including Artificial Intelligence, and make sure the digital future is humane as well as human.
- Social Work Major
  
  Uplift families, empower individuals, and heal communities with Champlain’s Social Work major.
- Psychology Major
  
  Study human motivations and the latest neuroscience in a career-focused Psychology major that prepares you for this dynamic field.
Minors
- Global Studies Minor
  
  Explore current issues, history, and languages of specific regions and countries around the world. Engage with theories and perspectives on political, economic, and social dynamics of globalization.
- Information Technology Minor
  
  Identify core computer networking and infrastructure components and the roles they serve to supplement business, creative, and other professional pursuits.
- LGBTQ Studies Minor
  
  Examine the complex histories, cultures, political activities, and expressions of LGBTQ people while exploring larger social and institutional foundations like media representation and human rights.
- Social Justice Minor
  
  See your work through the lens of social justice. Learn how social, economic, and political issues influence each other and affect an individual’s or community’s essential rights.
Areas of Study
- Education, Humanities & the Sciences
  
  The born educator, the team player, the change maker, the advocate. Which of these human-centered majors fits you career goals?
- Individualized Studies & Undeclared
  
  Learn what you love, and love what you learn with one of these professional pathways.
- Law & Society
  
  Want to uphold a system of justice through meaningful public service? Check out these majors that revolve around “doing good.”

In Classrooms. In Service

Discover, design, develop, implement, and evaluate a service learning project that’s authentic to a community or local organization in need. Working closely with community partners, you’ll identify issues that can be addressed through hands-on projects in the required course, EDU 270: Service Learning to Connect Schools & Society. These projects are designed to get you out into the community now, making a difference before you even graduate.

Learn more about EDU 270

Licensed in Vermont and Beyond

On top of being a flexible and knowledgeable teacher, you will have a uniquely impressive resume that will appeal to employers after graduation. Educators with a Vermont license are eligible to apply for certifications out of state under the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification‘s (NASDTEC) Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. See the Information about Professional Licensure page for more details about professional licensure.

Learn more about the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Learn more about professional licensure

Diverse in Options and Community

Champlain’s B.S. in Education is a reflection of the location in which it is situated—Vermont brings big opportunities to its small, close-knit communities. Our program not only gives you the advantage of concentrating in multiple subject areas, across multiple grade levels—its location allows you to apply them in multiple settings. Our faculty will help you develop deep relationships with community partners, and bridge education with mental health issues, social justice, resettlement, and accessibility.

Loan Forgiveness

Students who complete the education major and become a teacher in Vermont can receive different types of loan forgiveness and assistance, including:

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)?
Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for Early Childhood Educators?
Vermont Teacher Forgivable Loan Program?

Career Success

Working with your faculty advisor, you’ll explore the range of careers in education to set you up for success. 100% of Champlain Education majors from the Class of 2023 achieved career success.

an education student reading a children's book in a classroom; student teaching — Education student interns at a local school, reading to the children

Your Career Outlook

Learn more about our career-focused education

By the time you graduate, you will…

Use your understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
Understand how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
Work with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

Champlain graduates go on to careers such as…

School Teacher
Education Administrator
Curriculum Designer
Grant Writer
After-School Mentor
Private Tutor
Prison or Juvenile Facilities Instructor

More Inside Education Major

Overview

Teaching is the ultimate way to shape the future. At Champlain College, you’ll be in classrooms during your first year, building deep expertise that leads to licensure.
Curriculum

Become an educator and learn the skills to teach the next generation of leaders through hands-on learning opportunities and field work. Study Education at Champlain College.
Faculty

Learn the skills to teach the next generation of leaders through hands-on learning opportunities and field work. Study Education at Champlain College.

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