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:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Four courses chosen from the list of courses approved for this Nexus or selected with approval of the track chair | 16 | |
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-211 | Reflecting Back: Connecting Internship and Research to Your Liberal Arts Education | 2 |
| A presentation at LEAP Symposium | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
- 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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| College(Interdeptmnt) Courses | ||
| COLL-211 | Reflecting Back: Connecting Internship and Research to Your Liberal Arts Education | 2 |
| COLL-212 | Reflecting on Your Summer Internship or Research Experience Education | 2 |
| Education | ||
| EDUC-205 | Social Justice in Education | 4 |
| EDUC-233 | Educational Psychology | 4 |
| EDUC-267 | Children's Literature for Educators | 4 |
| Educational Studies | ||
| EDUST-250CR | Special Topics in Educational Studies: 'Current and Controversial Issues in Education' | 4 |
| EDUST-250CW | Special Topics in Educational Studies: 'Storytelling and Play: Learning from Children's Works' | 4 |
| EDUST-339EP | Seminar in Educational Studies: 'Educational Policy' | 4 |
| Entrepreneurship, Orgs & Soc | ||
| EOS-299ND | Topic: 'Individuals and Organizations' | 4 |
| EOS-349MV | Topic: 'Motivation' | 4 |
| Music | ||
| MUSIC-371HM | Topics in Music: 'History of Music Education' | 4 |
| Psychology | ||
| PSYCH-213 | Psychology of Racism | 4 |
| PSYCH-230 | Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| PSYCH-233 | Educational Psychology | 4 |
| PSYCH-331 | Laboratory in Early Childhood Learning and Development | 4 |
| Sociology | ||
| SOCI-216DU | Special Topics in Sociology: 'Schooling in American Society' | 4 |