Education & Social Sciences
Frequently Asked Questions
  1. How quickly will I get into a classroom and what do those clinical experiences look like?  

Students in the Henney Department of Education spend time observing in the classroom during their first semester on campus and continue throughout the program.  Experiences range from field trips, guided observations, one-on-one and small group teaching, to whole class and full-time student teaching.  The Director of Clinical Experiences and the Clinical Experiences Coordinator collaborate with students to secure clinical experience placements.   

  1. What is the difference between an educational studies degree and a licensure track degree? 

The licensure track majors (elementary education, all-grade education, and secondary education) prepare students to become licensed teachers in the state of Indiana.  For Educational Studies majors, the study of education is concentrated in one of the following areas: business, coaching, counseling, education, and fine arts. 

  1. What opportunities are there to volunteer in the field of education?  

Opportunities to volunteer abound!  Beyond the time our majors spend in clinical experiences, they engage in volunteer work in spaces like the on-campus Literacy Lab, after school programs, public library programming, campus events, and departmental events.  

  1. Can I double major?  

Students at Manchester University work closely with their Academic and Success advisors to create advising plans that support their academic and professional goals.  Students choosing to double major or add minors find this process easy to navigate with advisors.  All elementary education majors have an automatic additional licensure area, either mild intervention or English learners.  All secondary and all-grade majors have a major in their content area and in education.  Common additions to these majors include minors in peace studies, business, psychology, human services, Spanish, and communication studies.  Educational studies majors often add a second major to complement the knowledge and skills gained in the education field. 

  1. Are there travel courses or opportunities to study abroad? 

Students in our program work with the Office of Academic Affairs to consider academic year, semester long, or January Session study away options.  There is an extensive list of countries where these options can be found.  Please note that they vary by year.  Currently, the Henney Department of Education takes a study away trip on even years during January Session.  These trips are typically within the United States, but plans are being made for future trips to other countries.     

  1. What does experiential learning look like as an education major?  

Education programs exist on the foundation of experiential learning.  Time spent in classrooms and schools is where authentic learning and application of course materials occur.  It is the blending of theory and practice that allows students to build experience and confidence on their journey toward becoming practitioners.  These experiences include opportunities to try out, practice, and hone all aspects of the teaching vocation.  From teaching to lesson planning to bulletin board creation to experiencing the importance of community, education majors experience what it means to walk in the vocation.  Educational studies majors are not left out here.  Internships in fields of interest allow these majors to experience the ways of industries under the guidance of field supervisors.