Education

The Department of Education at Vassar College reflects the philosophy that a broad liberal arts education is the cornerstone of successful teaching. We emphasize the importance of critical reflection in developing an emerging philosophy of education and teaching. The department offers teacher preparation programs as well as the major or correlate in educational studies.

A seminar in the dome room of the Observatory

The study of education at Vassar challenges students to think deeply and critically about the ways in which schools socialize as well as educate citizens. It provides ongoing opportunities for conceptual integration across disciplines and domains of theory, policy, and practice. This interdisciplinary approach encourages students to consider the impact of political, historical, cultural, economic, and social forces on education.

The Department of Education offers a major or a correlate sequence (a minor) in educational studies. Students who major in educational studies develop a sound foundation in learning theory, the social foundations of education, and global perspectives on education. Students who are planning to become teachers major instead in another academic discipline (such as history or mathematics or psychology) and earn initial New York State certification at the childhood or adolescent level under the supervision of the Education Department. Students who are planning to teach may also choose to complete the Educational Studies Correlate Sequence.

Four CUNY Alumni on the Tenure Track at Vassar

Kathryn Pendoley, Alberto Gelmi, China Sajadian, and Kahdeidra Monét Martin describe their Graduate Center experiences and what helped them succeed on the academic job market.

Student and professor seated facing the camera with a playground in the background.

Vassar’s Ford Scholars Embrace a Summer of Critical Thinking

Every summer since 1988, Vassar students have been collaborating with faculty members in the humanities and social sciences on research projects under the auspices of the Ford Scholars Program. A typical project supports one faculty member and one student to engage in rigorous scholarship, teaching preparation, or course development.

Photo collage with 14 circular headshots people in a grid on top of a textured maroon background.

New Faculty Members Hit the Ground Running

Vassar welcomed 14 new scholar-teachers to the College’s tenure-track faculty for the 2023-24 academic year.

Kimberly Williams Brown is co-author of a new book Say, Listen: Writing as Care

Kimberly Williams Brown, Assistant Professor of Education, is co-author of Say, Listen: Writing as Care, a new book by The Black | Indigenous 100s Collective. A project of seven scholars working within Blackness and Indigeneity, the Black | Indigenous 100s Collective takes a new approach to thinking, writing, and practicing care.

Lumina Foundation Awards Grant to Vassar to Research Higher-Than-Expected Results of Under-Resourced Colleges

According to recent studies, four-year colleges in the United States graduate about half of their students in six years. But some institutions, including some that lack the resources of more prestigious colleges and universities, achieve much higher-than-expected results.