Educational Policy and Practice

Eleanor Townsley, Nexus Director

Katie Walker, Associate Director


108 Daniel L. Jones Building
413-538-3010
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/academics/find-your-program/educational-policy-and-practice

Overview and Contact Information

Nexus is an 18-credit interdisciplinary pathway that demonstrates interest in a career field. Courses are selected by students in consultation with the Nexus track chair.

The Nexus in Educational Policy and Practice is intended to provide students with an opportunity to conduct a cross-disciplinary exploration of an education-related topic. The multidisciplinary nature of the Nexus offers varied perspectives on contemporary contexts and historical moments that shape and define knowledge, behavior, structures, organizations, and policies both in and out of educational settings. Examples of these varied perspectives include Education: Policy and Politics; Philosophy and the Child; International Education; Women, Leadership and Higher Education; Education, Health, and Sports Pedagogy; Education and the Arts; Environmental Education.

See Also

Faculty

This area of study is administered by the following Nexus track chair:

Sarah Frenette, Five College Director of Undergraduate Teacher Licensure Programs

Requirements for the Nexus

A minimum of 18 credits:

Four courses chosen from the list of courses approved for this Nexus or selected with approval of the track chair16
At least one course at the 300 level
At least one course at the 200 level or above
One course at the 100 level or above 1
A substantive summer internship 2
COLL-211Reflecting Back: Connecting Internship and Research to Your Liberal Arts Education2
A presentation at LEAP Symposium
Total Credits18
1

Only one course at the 100 level is permitted to count toward the Nexus.

2

The summer internship must meet College requirements for a substantial educational experience: At least 200 work hours and responsibilities that exercise ability to think analytically and creatively, and contribute meaningfully to the organization’s stated mission and complements the student's area of focus.

Additional Specifications

  • Students will schedule an advising meeting with a track chair to get approval and complete an online Plan of Study form to be returned to the Nexus Program office.

  • The sequence of a Nexus is part of what makes it unique:
    • In preparation for the summer internship or research, students complete courses chosen in consultation with the track chair. If seeking funding through LYNK UAF, students will additionally complete orientation and advising, and online training.

    • COLL-211 is taken after the internship or research project and culminates in a presentation at LEAP Symposium.

Courses Counting toward the Nexus

Courses other than those listed below may count toward the Nexus. Students should consult the Nexus track chair for consideration of courses not on the list.

College(Interdeptmnt) Courses
COLL-211Reflecting Back: Connecting Internship and Research to Your Liberal Arts Education2
COLL-212Reflecting on Your Summer Internship or Research Experience Education2
Education
EDUC-205Social Justice in Education4
EDUC-233Educational Psychology4
EDUC-267Children's Literature for Educators4
Educational Studies
EDUST-250CRSpecial Topics in Educational Studies: 'Current and Controversial Issues in Education'4
EDUST-250CWSpecial Topics in Educational Studies: 'Storytelling and Play: Learning from Children's Works'4
EDUST-339EPSeminar in Educational Studies: 'Educational Policy'4
Entrepreneurship, Orgs & Soc
EOS-299NDTopic: 'Individuals and Organizations'4
EOS-349MVTopic: 'Motivation'4
Music
MUSIC-371HMTopics in Music: 'History of Music Education'4
Psychology
PSYCH-213Psychology of Racism4
PSYCH-230Developmental Psychology4
PSYCH-233Educational Psychology4
PSYCH-331Laboratory in Early Childhood Learning and Development4
Sociology
SOCI-216DUSpecial Topics in Sociology: 'Schooling in American Society'4