Students will:

• Develop disciplinary knowledge of historical and contemporary theories, research, and practices in education and applied developmental psychology.
• Apply an ecological model of development to children and families by considering their psychological, social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and cultural needs.
• Develop policy recommendations for complicated, real-world problems facing youth and families in Boston, in neighboring communities, and beyond.
• Design and implement a community-based research project within the city of Boston that has a positive impact on a school, health organization, neighborhood, museum, or community-based organization.
• Build knowledge and develop anti-oppressive practices to disrupt unequal systems of power, privilege, and access for children and families through coursework focused on self (positionality, intersectionality).
• Use design-based thinking and learning principles to help create effective solutions to social problems that affect children and families.
• Represent BU Wheelock’s equity and access mission when working with or on behalf of children and families in field-based learning experiences and research-related internships.
• Study the history, language, education, and culture of the Deaf community in the United States.
• Understand how policies are formed, implemented, and evaluated.
• Analyze and discuss the effects of existing educational policies (federal, state, local) on important outcomes of interest (e.g., student achievement, graduation rates, teacher retention, program/school quality).
• Promote the learning and growth of all students by providing high-quality and coherent instruction, designing and administering authentic and meaningful student assessments, analyzing student performance and growth data, using this data to improve instruction, providing students with constructive feedback on an ongoing basis, and continuously refining learning objectives. (Curriculum Planning and Assessment: Well-Structured Lessons; Adjustments to Practice; Reflective Practice)
• Promote the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, create a safe and effective classroom environment, and demonstrate cultural proficiency. (Teaching All Students: High Expectations; Meeting Diverse Needs; Safe Learning Environment)
• Promote the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations. (Family and Community Engagement)
• Promote the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice. (Professional Culture: Meeting Diverse Needs)
• Implement evidence-based instructional strategies that support English language development through culturally responsive academic content.

PreK–6 or 5–12 Licensure

Students will:

• Promote the learning and growth of all students by providing high-quality and coherent instruction, designing and administering authentic and meaningful student assessments, analyzing student performance and growth data, using this data to improve instruction, providing students with constructive feedback on an ongoing basis, and continuously refining learning objectives. (Curriculum Planning and Assessment: Well-Structured Lessons; Adjustments to Practice; Reflective Practice)
• Promote the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, create a safe and effective classroom environment, and demonstrate cultural proficiency. (Teaching All Students: High Expectations; Meeting Diverse Needs; Safe Learning Environment)
• Promote the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations. (Family and Community Engagement)
• Promote the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice. (Professional Culture: Meeting Diverse Needs)
• Implement evidence-based instructional strategies that support English language development through culturally responsive academic content. (Develop Content Knowledge)

Students additionally select one of three tracks within this specialization:

Track 1: Childhood Education for Diverse & Exceptional Learners (CEDEL) (10 units for specialization/26 total units)

Track 2: Global Citizenship & Education (GC&E) (12 units for specialization/28 total units)

Track 3: STEM: Learning, Action & Impact (SLA&I) (10 units for specialization/26 total units)