Requirements

Education Coordinate Major

Students coordinate their study of education with any department/program at Bowdoin that offers a major. To satisfy the requirements for the coordinate major in education, students must complete the six credits detailed below as well as the major requirements within their coordinated department/program. 

Required Courses
EDUC 1101Contemporary American Education1
Select one first-year writing seminar in education (1000-1049) or one education course at the 2000 level or higher.1
Select four courses at the 2000 level or higher.4
  • Students may count one intermediate independent study and one advanced independent study toward the major.
  • With departmental approval, one study away course or course that is not cross-listed with the education department may be used to fulfill the major requirements.
  • Majors may count up to two courses cross-listed with education towards the major.
  • All majors are encouraged to take a course at the 3000 level.

Education Minor

A minor in education requires four courses:

Required Courses
EDUC 1101Contemporary American Education1
Select one first-year writing seminar in education (1000-1049) or one course in education at the 2000 level or higher.1
Select two courses in education at the 2000 level or higher.2
  • Students may count one intermediate independent study or one advanced independent study toward the minor.
  • With departmental approval, one study away course or course that is not cross-listed with the education department may be used to fulfill the minor requirements.
  • Minors may count up to two courses cross-listed with education towards the minor.
  • All minors are encouraged to take a course at the 3000 level.

Interdisciplinary Majors

The education department participates in interdisciplinary programs in education and mathematics and in education and physics. See the Interdisciplinary Majors area for more information. 

Additional Information and Department Policies

  • Students may count one intermediate independent study and one advanced independent study toward the major.
  • Students may count one intermediate independent study or one advanced independent study toward the minor.
  • Students may count up to two courses cross-listed with education toward the coordinate major.
  • All majors and minors are encouraged to take an education course at the 3000 level.
  • Courses that count toward the coordinate major or minor must be taken for regular letter grades.
  • Students must earn a grade of C- or better in order to have a course count toward the coordinate major or minor or serve as a prerequisite.

Bowdoin Teacher Scholars Program

The Bowdoin Teacher Scholars are a select group of Bowdoin undergraduates and graduates who embrace the College’s commitment to the common good by becoming teachers through a rigorous scholarly and classroom-based program. For the most current information about the Bowdoin Teacher Scholars program, please visit the website here.

  • Students interested in the Bowdoin Teacher Scholars teacher certification program may complete the program’s four prerequisite courses in the context of the coordinate major or the minor, or they may choose to do so outside of either the coordinate major or the minor.
  • Courses in the teaching pathway must be taken at Bowdoin.
  • Courses must be taken for regular letter grades to apply to Bowdoin Teacher Scholars eligibility.
  • Students must earn a grade of C- or better in order to have a course count as a content area requirement.
  • Students should be aware that EDUC 3301 Teaching and Learning and EDUC 3302 Curriculum Development have “content area” prerequisite courses that are taken outside of the education department. These are:
    • Social Studies: Two courses in history and two additional courses in government, anthropology, economics, history, sociology, or psychology.​
    • English: Four courses in English.
    • Mathematics: Four courses in mathematics.
    • World Languages: Four courses in a language.
    • Life Science: Four courses in biology.
    • Physical Science: Three courses in one of the following: earth and oceanographic science, chemistry, or physics, and one course in one of the other departments.

Information for Incoming Students

Students who have an interest in studying education (including those who hope to become certified secondary school teachers) should take EDUC 1101 Contemporary American Education either their first or second semester (the course is offered every semester). 

The Bowdoin Education Department offers a no-cost opportunity to become a certified public school teacher. Students who complete the Bowdoin Teacher Scholars program are eligible for loan reimbursement. This program can be completed as an undergraduate or within two years of graduation. Please see a member of the Education Department to discuss your eligibility and plan your pathway.


This is an excerpt from the official Bowdoin College Catalogue and Academic Handbook. View the Catalogue