Education Minor

EDUCATION MINOR: Students will examine the role of education as a cultural institution, explore the art of teaching, and learn about the varied characteristics of today’s learners.

ED Minor Requirements: 18 credits TOTAL;

  • 6 Core credits required:  Introduction to Education (50:300:101) (3 credits) AND Introduction to Special Education (50:300:305) (3 credits)
  • 9 credits above the 100 level, of which 6 must be at the 300 to 400 level;
  • No more than 6 credits can be taken outside of the Education program. If taking 6 credits outside of Education (course code 300) department, courses must be taken in two different departments/ content areas;
  • Graduate level MAT courses work towards the minor for students admitted to the BA/MAT Accelerated Program.
  • Must earn a C or higher in each course to count towards Education Minor

If you are interested in declaring the Education Minor, speak to your advisor or to go the Registrar’s office. LINK HERE for Education Minor Advisement Sheet

Undergraduate Education Courses

50:300:101 Introduction to Education (3 credits)

REQUIRED COURSE FOR MINOR: A course designed to give students an introduction to the field of education, including a look at the historical, philosophical, and modern development of educational theory and practice.

50:300:305 Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)

REQUIRED COURSE FOR MINOR: A survey of special education in modern schooling, including the diversity of learners and the varied models for delivering instruction.

50:300:301 Contemporary Issues in Education (3 credits)

The course will engage students in in-depth analysis of core education issues of both a theoretical and practical nature. Topic areas include standards; learning environment, curriculum, student diversity; evaluation, technology, and professional ethics.

50:300:309 Techniques for Developing Reading and Language (3 credits)

This course examines language development, including speech and language processes for communication. It explores the language development stages and theoretical perspectives of language acquisition and knowledge.

50:300:383 Social Emotional Learning (3 credits)

This course will engage students in the exploration of all aspects of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). They will explore how students understand, practice, and manage their emotions through setting and achieving positive goals, while simultaneously learning to identify, feel and show empathy for others. Students will explore these social and emotional components to learning by identifying aspects of their own SEL and develop skills to help in the SEL development of others.

GRADUATE COURSES AS PART OF THE BA/MAT PROGRAM:** For students admitted the BA/MAT Accelerated Program and meet the BA/MAT Requirements

  • GPA 3.0 or higher: Undergraduate with 70+ completed* credits can take up to 3 courses total. *One class per semester; two classes with special permission and at least 90 earned credits
  • GPA 2.99 or lower: Undergraduates with 90+ completed* credits can take the course. If the student receives a B or higher in education course, they may be eligible to take up to 2 more.
56:300:500 Psychological Foundations of Learning (3 credits)

This course examines child and adolescent development and focuses on developmental stages, learner motivation, student interests, creating a healthy learning climate, language development, and individual differences. (NJPST 1)

56:300:501 Exceptionalities (3 credits)
A survey of the neurological, sensory, orthopedic, communicative, and social disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, present in children and the impact of these on the psychological and academic development of the child. Students will also examine the effect of the disabilities on cognitive, mental, and social growth, the factors to be considered in assessment and rehabilitative developments, and strategies for professional collaboration to meet students’ needs. (NJPST 2)
56:300:509 Early Childhood Learning (3 credits)

This course will develop the student’s ability to critically analyze and enhance literacy-based early childhood environments. It will provide a comprehensive overview of birth to age 8 settings to ensure students are able to plan and support developmentally appropriate materials and methods that meet the diverse needs of children, staff, and families. Learners will explore the importance of play, the effects of family and community on young learners, and the needs of multilingual, special needs, and at-risk students. (NJPST 2, 3, 4, 10)

56:300:510 Fundamentals of Education (3 credits)

An examination of the foundations of teaching and instruction based on the New Jersey Professional Standards for Teachers. The completion and documentation of the 50-hour clinical experience is a course requirement. (NJPST 1-11) 

56:300:511 Literacy Foundations (3 credits)

This introductory course will examine the critical areas of language development, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, word study, comprehension, and digital literacy.  Students will investigate the ways in which these topics inform early literacy programs and reflect on the philosophical and theoretical perspectives that shape their teaching practice. (NJPST 3, 4, 7)

56:300:512 Mathematical Foundations in Education (3 credits)

This course focuses on preparing pre-service teachers to develop, plan, and evaluate math lessons that are developmentally appropriate for learners from early childhood to 6th grade.  Students will learn how to assess student math knowledge and skills based on content outlined in the NJSLS through a student-centered inquiry approach, working with manipulatives, different technologies, and other methods to build mathematical knowledge. (NJPST 4, 7)

56:300:515 Reading and Writing in the Secondary Curriculum (3 credits)

This course will focus on developing literacy practices across the curriculum for middle and high school grades. Emphasis on higher order comprehension skills, vocabulary development, and content area reading and writing.

APPROVED COURSES FROM OTHER RUC DEPARTMENTS

  • 50:163:270 Childhood and Disabilities
  • 50:163:350 Kids’ Media Cultures
  • 50:163:352 Developing Minds and Bodies
  • 50:163:360 Children’s Books and Illustration
  • 50:163:361 Young Adult Literature
  • 50:163:362 Children’s Literacies
  • 50:163:382 Urban Education 
  • 50:163:384 Gender and Education
  • 50:163:383 Youth Identities and Urban Ecology
  • 50:209:240 Digital Youth Cultures
  • 50:350:243 Children’s Literature, Film, Media, and Animation 
  • 50:350:227 Folk and Fairy Tales in Media
  • 50:350:360 Literature of Childhood 
  • 50:350:362 Children’s Literature in Print and Film 
  • 50:352:231 Seuss and Sendak 
  • 50:352:348 Literature of Adolescence 
  • 50:352:230 The Art of Dr. Seuss
  • 50:512:230 Education in America 
  • 50:830:226 Psychology of Childhood 
  • 50:830:301 Educational Psychology 
  • 50:830:326 Psychology of Adolescence 
  • 50:920:306 Sociology of the Family 
  • 50:920:345 Sociology of Education 
  • 50:975:221 Literacy Practicum 
  • 50:975:380 Charter Schools and Urban Education (special topic)
  • If you find a course that you think might work for the minor, please contact the MAT (sara.becker@rutgers.edu) to discuss it.