Undergraduate

We are a place that trains the best teachers. But we also address the full gamut of the human experience: from human movement, language and hearing, and innovations for youth both in and out of the classroom.

While at the UVA School of Education and Human Development you study under some of the most respected faculty in their fields. But your time in the classroom is just the beginning. For us, the real goal is about making an impact out in the world. Undergraduates at the School of Education connect in-classroom studies with relevant research and hands-on experiences in the field, all the while receiving a high level of support.

This combination of rigorous studies and real-world application creates ample opportunities upon graduation, whether you wish to enter the workforce directly or apply for advanced degrees.

You may be surprised at some of the majors we offer, such as Communication Disorders, Kinesiology, and Youth & Social Innovation, and of course Teacher Ed. We also have minors in Global Studies in Education and Health & Well-Being. Our programming reflects our focus on the overall improvement of the human experience. We are excited to show you more about the possibilities at the School of Education and Human Development for an impactful and exciting career.

Undergraduate Information Sessions

If you would like to learn more about our undergraduate programs, please visit us at one of our many in-person information sessions.

Information Sessions & Events ›

OUR STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

  • 3 rd

    Best Public University in the Country, U.S. News & World Report

  • 15 th

    Best Education School in the Country, U.S. News & World Report

  • 6

    Undergraduate Programs (4 Majors and 2 Minors)

Our majors, minors and courses

There is one consistent thread throughout all of our majors and minors: hands-on learning.

  • Teacher Education

    Teaching is a rewarding and exciting career that lets you take part in shaping the next generation. The demand for good teachers is high across the country and UVA School of Education and Human Development graduates enjoy a 100% job placement rate.

    The Education School offers three undergraduate majors that lead to teacher licensure Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Special Education. Find more information here.

    Our one-year Master of Teaching (MT) degree is available for students interested in teaching Elementary, English, English as a Second Language, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Special Education. Early admission is offered for UVA undergraduate students. Review the full list of degree programs on our teacher education page.

    Learn More
  • Youth & Social Innovation (YSI) Major

    As a Youth & Social Innovation (YSI) major, you will develop the skills needed to create and enact social innovations for youth. As a student in the Youth & Social Innovation major, you'll engage in coursework that integrates theory and research on youth development, programming, and policy with hands-on application through community service. You'll learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of existing social innovations for youth and collaborate with a team to design new ones. With this B.S.Ed. degree, your career options are many:

    • Child welfare/family service/social services
    • Colleges/universities/K-12 schools
    • Community centers
    • Educational corporations
    • Government agencies
    • Physical & mental health organizations
    • Policy organizations
    • Think tanks
    • Youth agencies and associations
    Youth & Social Innovation (YSI) Major
  • Kinesiology Major

    Kinesiology refers to the study of movement and is a multifaceted field of study in which movement or physical activity is the intellectual focus. Physical activity includes exercising for improvement of health and fitness, learning movement skills, and engaging in activities of daily living, work, sport, dance, and play. It involves the general population as well as special groups such as children and older adults, people with disabilities, injuries, or disease, and athletes.

    The Kinesiology major is a direct-admit program. Students from high school apply directly to Kinesiology through the University's Office of Undergraduate Admission. Once enrolled, students take courses both in the College of Arts and Sciences and in the UVA School of Education and Human Development. The Kinesiology major leads to a B.S.Ed. degree. The UVA School of Education and Human Development also offers several Kinesiology graduate degrees.

    Career paths include:

    • fitness-related industries
    • teaching
    • coaching
    • health-related fields like medicine, public health, and physical or occupational therapy
    Kinesiology Major
  • Speech Communication Disorders Major

    The undergraduate major in Speech Communication Disorders introduces students to the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. It provides pre-professional learning experiences to prepare students for graduate studies in either profession by emphasizing math, biological and behavioral sciences, basic human communication sciences, and critical thinking. This major leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education in Speech Communication Disorders.

    In order to be admitted to the Speech Communication Disorders major, you must be a full-time UVA student as a rising third year.

    This pre-professional program prepares you to choose from three career paths at the graduate level:

    • Audiology
    • Speech-language pathology
    • Speech and hearing science
    Speech Communication Disorders Major
  • Global Studies in Education Minor

    The Global Studies in Education Minor provides an interdisciplinary view of social theories and comparative frameworks that stretch beyond traditional definitions of teachers and school administrators. It delves into concepts of school and society, history, philosophy, and culture,as well as educational policy, theory, and practice. This minor is excellent if you’re considering a career or further education in:

    • Business
    • Domestic and international NGO work
    • Education leadership and social entrepreneurship
    • Government positions in education
    • Law
    • Non-profit work
    • The Peace Corps
    • Policymaking
    • Teaching, including Teach for America or teacher certification programs
    Global Studies in Education Minor
  • Health & Well-Being Minor

    The Health & Wellbeing Minor features courses that are designed to assist students in obtaining scientific knowledge to promote intelligent decision-making in the health or mental health professions and in public policy positions related to health and well-being.

    Six schools across the University of Virginia have joined forces to create this minor that helps view this topic from a wide spectrum. Enrolled students have unprecedented access to classes in the following schools:

    • School of Education and Human Development
    • College of Arts & Sciences
    • School of Medicine
    • School of Nursing
    • School of Architecture
    • Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
    Health & Wellbeing Minor
  • Courses open to all UVA Undergrads

    The School of Education and Human Development is pleased to offer many courses open to all UVA undergraduates. This is a great way to learn something new and interesting, fill an elective credit, and get a feel for the education field. In addition, the School of Education and Human Development offers a range of course topics including multiculturalism, health & well-being, development, teacher education, and much more.

    Below is the list of courses offered Spring 2020.

     

    Kinesiology

    KINE 1000 - Introduction to Mindfulness
    KINE 2200 - Motor Development
    KINE 2420 - Intro to Personal Training
    KINE 3400 - Nutrition
    KINE 3420 - Contemporary Health Issues
    KINE 3450 - Exercise & Nutrition Medicine
    KINE 3660 - Neuroscience of Exercise

    Leadership, Foundations & Policy

    EDLF 2050 - What the Innovators Do
    EDLF 2080 - Fundamentals of Statistics
    EDLF 3150 - Intro Chld Growth & Development
    EDLF 3160 - Intro to Educ Psychology
    EDLF 3170 - Introduction to Adolescence
    EDLF 3180 - Lifespan Development
    EDLF 3200 - Exam Effects Social Innovat
    EDLF 3240 - Educ in MulticulturalSocieties
    EDLF 3250 - Intro Citizenship & Activism
    EDLF 3440 - Psyc Sport & Physical Activity
    EDLF 3460 - Race, Identity, Development
    EDLF 3610 - Immigrant Youth & Families
    EDLF 5260 - Cognitive Psyc and Education
    EDLF 5270 - Adult Development and Aging
    EDLF 5330 - Quan Methods & Data Analysis I
    EDLF 5425 - Governance Collegiate Athletic
    EDLF 5700 - Race, Ethnicity and Diversity

    Human Services

    EDHS 1120 - Found of Community Engagement
    EDHS 2230 - Drug Awareness
    EDHS 2250 - Stress and Anxiety Management
    EDHS 2860 - Child Protection Emergencies
    EDHS 3055 - Prevention of Youth Violence
    EDHS 3070 - Intro to Design & Thinking
    EDHS 3110 - Understanding Autism
    EDHS 3200 - Intro Counsel Student Athletes
    EDHS 3240 - Peer Health Education
    EDHS 3895 - Peer Counseling
    EDHS 4030 - Speech and Hearing Science
    EDHS 4040 - Anat & Phys of Speech & Hear
    EDHS 4810 - Personal Adjustment
    EDHS 5220 - Career Development

    Curriculum, Instruction & Special Education

    EDIS 2010 - Teaching as a Profession
    EDIS 2920 - Debunking Classroom Myths
    EDIS 3012 - Mindfulness & Development
    EDIS 3020 - The Exceptional Learner
    EDIS 3045 - Mathematics in Early Childhood
    EDIS 3050 - Design Through Making
    EDIS 3060 - Poverty and the Young Child

Natalie Eichner

"My long-term career goal is to better educate the medical community how they can effectively use exercise as a form of medicine." Kinesiology student Natalie Eichner