Associate of Arts

Associate of Science

Bachelor's of Arts

Bachelor's of Science

Educational Studies

Shape the future of education with an Educational Studies degree from Empire State University.

Whether you're interested in community education, child development, or training and workforce development, this flexible program helps you build the foundational knowledge and practical skills to support diverse learners. Offered fully online, our program is ideal for students who want to explore teaching and learning without pursuing teacher certification. You'll dive into real-world issues, educational theory, and instructional design, all while preparing for careers or graduate study in the education field.

- Bachelor’s Degree programs in Educational Studies must meet the 10 essential foundations listed below. Associate degree programs are required to meet at least 5 essential foundations (the first five are recommended).
- Foundation #1: PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
- ECET 1005
  
  Exploring the Professions: Children & Child Care
- ECET 1010
  
  Introduction to Early Childhood Education
- ECET 2010
  
  Early Childhood Professionalism Family & Culture
- EDSP 2025
  
  Introduction to Special Education
- ECET 3020
  
  Children’s Programs: Ethical & Professional Standards
- EDST 1005
  
  Introduction to Teaching
- EDST 3036
  
  Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Technology for Educators
- Foundation #2: FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE
- DISB 2015
  
  Disabled in America
- DISB 3030
  
  The Disability Rights Movement: Policy and Legislation
- EDST 3030
  
  Historical Foundation of American Education
- HIST 3695
  
  History of Educational Technology
- SOSC 2005
  
  Schooling in America
- Foundation #3: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
- HUDV 1005
  
  Child Development: Introductory
- HUDV 1015
  
  Human Development: Introductory
- HUDV 2005
  
  Adolescent Development: Introductory
- HUDV 2015
  
  Adult Development: Introductory
- HUDV 2025
  
  Infant/Toddler Development: Introductory
- HUDV 3015
  
  Child Development: Advanced
- HUDV 3030
  
  Infant/Toddler Development: Advanced
- HUDV 3060
  
  Early Childhood Development
- HUDV 3065
  
  Human Exceptionalities
- Foundation #4: SOCIAL CONTEXTS OF LEARNING
- ECET 4122
  
  Poverty and Early Learning
- DISB 3025
  
  Psychosocial Impact of Illness & Disability
- SOSC 2005
  
  Schooling in America
- SOCI 3095
  
  Sociology of Education
- SOCI 3055
  
  Family & Society
- Foundation #5: CURRICULAR DESIGN, INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES, AND ASSESSMENT
- ECET 2075
  
  Early Childhood Curriculum Planning and Assessment
- ECET 3030
  
  Curriculum & Environments for Infants & Toddlers
- ECET 3035
  
  Curriculum & Environments for Preschoolers
- ECET 3080
  
  Assessment in Early Childhood Education
- ECET 3122
  
  Inclusion in Early Childhood Education
- ECET 4010
  
  Curriculum Models in Early Childhood Education
- EDST 3015
  
  Curriculum Instruction & Assessment
- EDST 3127
  
  Models of Instructional Design
- EDSP 3025
  
  Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Disabilities
- Foundation #6: Language and literacy development
- ECET 3040
  
  Emergent Literacy
- EDST 3021
  
  Language, Literacy, & Learning for School-age Children
- Foundation #7: LEARNERS AND LEARNING
- ECET 4020
  
  The Science Behind Learning and Trauma in Early Childhood Settings
- ECET 4122
  
  Poverty and Early Learning
- EDST 3021
  
  Language, Literacy, & Learning for School-age Children
- EDST 3045
  
  Learning Theories
- EDST 4005
  
  Adults as Learners: Theories & Strategies
- EDST 4010
  
  Human Learning: A Developmental Approach
- PSYC 3015
  
  Educational Psychology: Advanced
- PSYC 3100
  
  Learning & Memory
- Foundation #8: USES OF TECHNOLOGY
- ECET 3015
  
  Children’s Programs: Design & Supervision
- ECET 3060
  
  Young Children & Technology
- EDST 3065
  
  Utilizing Technology in the Classroom
- Foundation #9: DIVERSITY
- ANTH 1010
  
  Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
- ANTH 3020
  
  Families in Global Perspective
- ECET 2010
  
  Early Childhood Professionalism Family & Culture
- EDST 3020
  
  Diversity in Educational Settings
- EDST 3037
  
  Culturally Responsive Engagement in Home, School, and Community
- EDST 4015
  
  Teaching Critical Literacy
- DISB 3010
  
  Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Disabilities
- GSST 2005
  
  Introduction to LGBTQ+ Studies
- GSST 3008
  
  LGBTQ+ Youth & Education
- SOCI 1005
  
  Exploring Society: An Introduction to Sociology
- Foundation #10: METHODS OF INQUIRY
- ECET 3050
  
  Observation & Assessment of Children
- EDST 4010
  
  Human Learning: A Developmental Approach
- EDST 4122
  
  Measuring Learning
- DISB 4010
  
  Assessment & Evaluation of Disabilities
- HUDV 3085
  
  Research Methods for Lifespan Development
- SOSC 2010
  
  Statistics for the Social Sciences
- SOSC 3020
  
  Qualitative Social Science Research: Design & Methods
- SOSC 3025
  
  Social Science Research Methods
- EDSP 4000
  
  Assessment, Diagnosis and Evaluation of Student with Disabilities

Ready to Apply?

The deadline for the Fall 2025 term is August 1. How to Apply

What you'll learn

Understand human development stages
Apply learning theories to real settings
Design effective educational experiences
Explore diversity in learning environments

This degree is your launchpad into a variety of education-related fields. Many graduates pursue roles such as:

Community Education Coordinator
Early Childhood Program Manager
Workforce Development Trainer
Educational Program Designer
Child Development Specialist

Career Services

I chose SUNY Empire because they have the best online programs, and you can take it at your own pace. I am always busy, and that I can still get my college work done is a plus for me.

Sam

'24 A.S. | Current Student | B.S. in Education

Start Your Journey to a Rewarding Career in Education

We're here to support you every step of the way, making your journey to an educational studies degree as smooth as possible. Our dedicated advisors provide the guidance and information you need to make confident choices and move closer to your goals.

Request Info

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Check for Prior Learning Credits

Put your past experience toward your degree. Use transfer credits, work experience, or life skills to get a head start, save money, and earn your degree faster.

How To Get Credits

Normal Program Length

Your Prior Learning

Apply for Your Online Educational Studies Degree

Double check you have all of your admissions requirements, and send in your application to be ready for our next start date!

How To Apply

Next start term

Fall 2025

Deadline to apply

August 1

Start Your Degree

as soon as September 2, 2025.

Our faculty bring years of real-world experience in education, child development, and learning design, and they’re here to support you every step of the way. They won’t just guide you through your educational studies degree; they’ll challenge you to think critically about how people learn, explore diverse perspectives, and design meaningful learning experiences for all kinds of learners.

All Faculty

Joan Buzick

Assistant Professor

Dr. Joan Buzick brings a unique blend of classroom, community, and research experience to her role as faculty at Empire State University. With a background in music education and a passion for early childhood development, she co-founded a child development center that integrated the arts into learning. Dr. Buzick is especially interested in how children learn and grow, and she’s dedicated to helping students explore the powerful connections between education, psychology, and the arts.

Tracy Galuski

Assistant Professor

“Dr. Galuski is the best mentor I've ever had. She really cares — as long as you care! She wants every one of her students to succeed and try their hardest. I wouldn't have been able to design my degree without her.” (Student on RateMyProfessors.com)

Educational Studies

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