Liberal studies encompasses a broad exploration of social sciences, natural sciences, humanities and the arts to help students become well-rounded, qualified teachers in early childhood and elementary education settings. As a student in this unique, interdisciplinary major, you will synthesize your learning to serve you as an educator. In addition, you will learn to communicate effectively and improve your critical thinking skills.
The Liberal Studies major at Eastern is offered exclusively to students who are preparing to become elementary or early childhood educators. Students may complete the undergraduate education program or enroll in the Early Start master’s degree program to earn their certification. The program offers concentrations in the Natural Sciences, History/Social Sciences, English, Mathematics and Environmental Earth Sciences to prepare students for certification as early childhood or elementary teachers and develop in-depth expertise in a single subject.
Concentrations
The English concentration in the Liberal Studies major prepares students for certification as early childhood or elementary education teachers. Students take additional courses in creative writing, reading culture, and rhetoric. The Liberal Studies major helps students develop key skills and knowledge they will need in their future classrooms and on the exams they must pass to obtain teacher certification. Because the Liberal Studies major is explicitly geared toward future teachers, only students majoring in Elementary or Early Childhood Education may complete it; students who are not admitted by CARE after completing 60 credits will need to change majors. The concentrations simplify the process of doing so; students in the English concentration can transition easily into the English major.
The Earth Science concentration will allow students to build in-depth knowledge in Earth and environmental sciences. Because of this, with the addition of only a few courses, students could earn both elementary/early childhood certification and secondary certification to teach Earth Science at the middle and high school levels, opening up additional career possibilities. Students who choose to leave the Liberal Studies major or who must do so because they are not admitted by CARE will be equipped to switch into the major in Environmental Earth Science.
The History and Social Science concentration in the Liberal Studies major prepares students for certification as early childhood or elementary education teachers. Students learn the major concepts and modes of inquiry from the social sciences—history, geography, political science and economics.
The math concentration in the Liberal Studies major prepares students for certification as early childhood or elementary education teachers. Students take additional courses in calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics. The Liberal Studies major helps students develop key skills and knowledge they will need in their future classrooms and on the exams they must pass to obtain teacher certification. Because the Liberal Studies major is explicitly geared toward future teachers, only students majoring in Elementary or Early Childhood Education may complete it; students who are not admitted by CARE after completing 60 credits will need to change majors. The concentrations simplify the process of doing so; students in the math concentration can transition easily into the math major.
The Natural Science concentration in the Liberal Studies major teaches students to view the natural world with the questioning eye of a scientist. They will study scientific principles and the methods by which scientists develop and validate those principles and will gain hands-on experience in planning, making, analyzing and interpreting scientific observations.
* * U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Commerce
Hands-on Learning
Student Teaching
Liberal Studies and Elementary Education majors participate in a full semester of student teaching designed to translate theory into practice.
Undergraduate Research
For Liberal Studies and Early Childhood Education students, the Center for Early Childhood Education (CECE) provides select students the opportunity to conduct research as research assistants on CECE research projects with young children.
Education Club
The Education Club provides students opportunities to learn about careers in education, which providing activities and events to promote students’ professional development
Career Options
Students who pursue undergraduate degrees in Liberal Studies can have rewarding and successful careers in a variety of positions, including:
Special Education Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Elementary School Administrator
Preschool Yeacher
Childcare Worker
Childcare Center Director
Successful Alumni
Graduates of Eastern’s Elementary Education program are teachers and leaders in Connecticut’s schools, and many have been named teachers of the year within their school districts. Some graduates have continued their education in graduate programs offered by Eastern’s Department of Education, while others have pursued their graduate studies at Harvard University, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the University of Connecticut and other universities. Many graduates of Eastern’s Early Childhood Education program secure early childhood education positions shortly after completing the program, while others serve as reading consultants, technology coordinators and mentor teachers.
Katelyn Root ’20 (liberal studies/elementary education) is a 4th-grade teacher in Ridgefield Public Schools. “Liberal Studies gives you the opportunity to learn a lot of different subjects. I’ve taken geology, macroeconomics, politics and many other classes besides just ‘elementary education.’ This has helped me expand my horizons as a learner and future educator.”
Shepard Hill Elementary
Nina Zimmitti ’17
Liberal Studies and Elementary Education double-major Nina Zimmitti is a first-grade teacher at Shepard Hill Elementary School in Plainfield. “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I didn’t have a passion for any subject in particular. Then I found the Liberal Studies major, which is a perfect complement to my education degree, as it covers the basis of all subjects.”
Middletown Public Schools
Alicia Brockett ’17
Liberal Studies and Elementary Education double-major Alicia Brockett is a paraprofessional for Middletown Public Schools. “As an elementary school teacher you are responsible for teaching everything from math to science. The liberal studies major verses you in a variety of subjects, which in turn helps you to teach these topics as a teacher.”
