N.C. A&T Launches B.S. in Educational Studies to Expand Career Options

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (July 15, 2025) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s College of Education (COEd) is adding a new bachelor’s degree in educational studies within its Department of Educator Preparation.

The B.S. in educational studies is a non-licensure degree designed to prepare students for diverse careers across the education ecosystem, including in education policy, nonprofit leadership, educational technology, community-based education and specialized education services.

The program also emphasizes undergraduate research, internships, grant writing and innovation to prepare students for graduate studies and leadership roles across formal and informal education environments.

Following the program’s approval by the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors in its May meeting, the college aims to begin submitting new degree courses through the university’s curriculum review and approval process in Fall 2025 and expects to enroll its first cohort in Fall 2026.

“We are excited to add the B.S. in educational studies to serve students who are passionate about education but whose career path may not be in the classroom,” said Gerrelyn C. Patterson, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Educator Preparation. “There are myriad rewarding opportunities in the field of education that some students may not have considered. We want to make sure they can explore those nontraditional options and have the preparation to flourish in those positions.”

The degree will offer three concentration areas:

• Technology and Innovation. This area includes electives in engineering, computer science and business IT to prepare students for careers in education technology, AI-integrated learning systems and instructional design
• Leadership and Policy. This concentration includes political science, criminal justice and social sciences courses to prepare students for roles in education policy, research and civic engagement
• Family and Community. Included in this concentration are electives in human development, early childhood and family studies to prepare students for careers in academic advising, afterschool and community education programs, museum education and family outreach.

Unlike general education degrees, this program is grounded in the social and philosophical foundations of education, allowing students to critically examine education systems through human development, learning science and technology lenses. Through interdisciplinary course work, students can also explore the role of AI and emerging technologies in education.

Additionally, the program responds to increasing workforce needs in instructional coordination, education technology and policy — fields that are seeing strong job growth (20% to 45%) and salaries above the state average. The B.S. in educational studies offers a meaningful alternative for students who are passionate about education but not seeking teacher licensure.

The new degree was approved just ahead of the 2025 Future Teachers of North Carolina Choice Summit at A&T, hosted for the first time by any historically Black college or university. Held May 23-24, the summit welcomed representatives from the UNC System Office and all UNC System western region universities: Appalachian State University, North Carolina Central University, UNC-Asheville, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Greensboro, Western Carolina University and Winston-Salem State University.

The free event encouraged aspiring educators from North Carolina’s urban and rural high schools to explore various educator preparation programs and learn about different pathways to becoming a teacher. Participants also gained valuable insights into scholarships, internships and fellowships, study abroad experiences and other career opportunities in education.

Nearly 100 high school students representing 26 counties and 16 school districts were introduced to their top three universities and learned about their educator preparation programs’ vision, mission and conceptual framework as well as requirements to matriculate through those programs. They also heard from teacher candidates about their experiences and participated in a teacher candidate mini lesson demonstration.

By launching the B.S. in educational studies and hosting the Future Teachers of North Carolina Choice Summit, A&T is reinforcing its commitment to expanding and diversifying the education pipeline. These initiatives reflect the university’s bold, future-focused approach to preparing the next generation of education professionals, whether they choose to teach in classrooms, shape policy, lead nonprofits or design innovative learning environments.

“The College of Education is dedicated to preparing educators and leaders in every facet of education and we are proud to announce the educational studies degree at a crucial time in our field,” said Dean Paula Groves Price, Ph.D. “We are not only expanding opportunities for every student interested in education, we are also showing potential teachers, administrators, counselors, policymakers and curriculum developers how they can make a meaningful impact on future generations, both in and beyond the classroom.”

Aligned with Chancellor James R. Martin’s vision of “Now, Next, and Beyond,” the Department of Educator Preparation is leading innovation and transformation in the education ecosystem through bold ideas and strategic action designed to drive lasting, meaningful impact.