Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between the Education Studies Scholars Intensive Certificate and the regular Certificate?

• The Scholars Intensive Certificate is a selective, cohort program with an emphasis on community learning and research through the senior capstone project. Yale students apply to the Scholars program in the fall of their sophomore or junior year after taking EDST 110 Foundations in Education Studies. Accepted students learn in a seminar community with a cohort that takes several courses together culminating in the senior capstone. They are closely mentored over multiple years by Yale Education Studies faculty.
• The Education Studies Certificate is a course-work based program allowing students to develop individualized expertise in Education Studies. The YES Certificate is a good option for students who have other significant curricular committments (such as a double major) and want to customize an individualized learning experience. 

Side-By-Side Comparison:

2. Does Yale have a major in Education Studies?

Yale’s Education Studies program is based in the Yale College Dean’s Office and offers two Certificate programs. It does not offer a major.

3. Does Yale offer teacher certification?

The Education Studies program does not include teacher certification. A number of Yale students pursue careers in teaching after graduation through enrolling in a teacher preparation master’s program or an alternative certification route to teaching.

4. Does Yale offer graduate programs in education?

Graduate students can enroll in Education Studies courses with permission of their division or school. There are no Yale graduate degrees in Education Studies.

Current Yale students begin by enrolling in EDST 110 Foundations in Education Studies, offered every fall. As soon as a Yale student enrolls in EDST 110, they may apply to participate in the EDST Certificate.  Students can apply for the Scholars Intensive certificate program in the fall of their sophomore year (and in special circumstances in their junior year.)

6. If I start completing an EDST Certificate and I decide I want to apply to the Scholars Intensive Certificate, can I change?

Yes. Students will ultimately participate in only one program, the regular Certificate or the Scholars Intensive Certificate.

7. Can courses that I take for the Scholars program or the Certificate be counted for my major as well? 

A total of 2 courses may potentially overlap between your major and an Education Studies Certificate.

8. Can I take courses for the Ed Studies certificates Credit/D/Fail?

With the exception of EDST 110, students completing the regular Education Studies certificate may take one of their EDST courses Credit/D/Fail. For students completing the Scholars Intensive certificate, one of the two elective courses may be taken Credit/D/Fail.

9. What counts as an Education Studies Field Experience? 

Students who completing the Scholars Intensive Certificate will complete a field experience: a prolonged work/volunteer experience in education research, policy, or practice. Field experiences are either full-time summer placements (at least 8 weeks) or part-time, full-year placements (several hours per week during the academic year). They can take place before or after acceptance to the Scholars Intensive Certificate. 

10. What careers do Yale Education Studies scholars pursue after graduation?

Given the interdisciplinary focus of Yale’s Education Studies program, scholars pursue a wide range of education-related careers after graduation. In the last few years, roughly three quarters of Education Studies scholars have gone into teaching in the US or overseas, pursuing graduate study in education law or policy, working for education think tanks or foundations, founding schools, writing children’s books or working in education journalism and technology. 

For additional questions, please email Executive Director and DUS Dr. Mira Debs, mira.debs@yale.edu