Iowa State University will introduce a new major in fall 2025 that will be administered by the College of Education.
The Education major is a broad major for those interested in education as a whole.
“You will learn how to be a great educator,” said Anne Gansemer Topf, dean of the School of Education. “But more broadly, it’s about providing strong general skills that allow you to apply those skills in a variety of fields.”
Education is a four-year degree program for students who are interested in teaching but do not consider themselves teachers. This degree program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for careers in education fields outside of K-12 classroom teaching.
“If you think about how many of us are in educational settings, whether formal or informal, we need an understanding of teaching methods, pedagogy, and how people learn… degree provides an opportunity for individuals to earn that degree,” Gansemer-Topf said.
“The idea and need for a degree in educational research has been discussed within the Faculty of Education for some time, so it seemed to me that there was more than just bringing different members and people together to conceptualize this new degree. There was a responsibility,” said lead teacher Christina Tank. Regarding this proposal, he said:
Separate from this degree program, during the first two years of the Education Studies major, students take the same coursework that meets ISU’s general education and other college-level requirements. However, academic studies students learn more about their education as a whole in required coursework compared to specific grade levels or class types.
The first two years provide students with a basic understanding of educational theory and practice. During the final two years of the degree program, students pursue an area of focus.
The three areas of focus for the Education major include Teaching, Learning and Leadership, Innovation, Technology and Sociology, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The Teaching, Learning, and Leadership focus area is designed for students interested in teaching and learning across diverse educational environments, contexts, and groups of learners.
The Innovation, Technology, and Society focus is targeted at students who are passionate about exploring the intersection of innovation, design, educational technology, and social impact.
The STEM focus area is tailored for students focused on learning and teaching within STEM contexts and environments.
“With our STEM education technology, we are creating a new class that we are offering for the first time called ‘Educational Dilemmas,'” Gansemer Topf said. “We plan to discuss and address many controversial and difficult topics in the education world.”
Gansemer-Topf said the “Educational Dilemmas” course is aimed at everyone at the university and will garner some attention.
“The education landscape is broad and continues to change in line with changes in society and the world. As a result, there are many career options in the education field that go beyond traditional classroom teaching,” Tank said. Ta. “This major offers opportunities for students who are interested in a future career in education related to teaching, learning, and instruction, but who are not interested in becoming certified as K-12 teachers.”
There are no specific job titles associated with a degree in education.
“People who work in museums, people who work in zoos, and especially people who currently work at the Des Moines Science Center are examples of jobs that you can get with this degree,” Professor Gansemer Topf said. Ta. “These people offer several educational fields related to a wide range of aspects of educational research.”
“Our goal is for this major to equip educators across the educational landscape with the ability to design, implement and evaluate educational programs that advance teaching and learning for all,” Tank said. .
Students in the Education degree program focus on goals designed to build a strong foundation that will enable them to make meaningful contributions to the field of education.
Gansemer-Topf outlined three learning outcomes for students.
Explore different education systems and develop fundamental knowledge and understanding of educational theory and research Learn to design and implement engaging and effective teaching materials and programs Tailor your study program to your career aspirations and interests Participate (includes a semester-long internship experience)
“The first year is spent understanding the broader meaning and purpose of educational theory. Be aware of how learning and teaching impact our daily lives,” Gansemer Topf said. He gave advice to future students majoring in education.
If you are interested in educational research, please contact your educational advisor for more information.
