Chapman University

What you'll study

This four-year Bachelor’s degree combines foundations in education with practical classroom experience and a broad liberal arts education. You study core topics in how children and adolescents learn, the social and historical contexts of schooling, and methods for planning and assessing effective instruction.

• Foundations of Education – history, philosophy and policy of schooling in the United States and comparative perspectives.
• Child and Adolescent Development – cognitive, social and emotional development across age ranges and implications for teaching.
• Curriculum and Instruction – lesson planning, differentiated instruction, content-area pedagogy and classroom management strategies.
• Assessment and Data Use – formative and summative assessment design, interpretation of results and data-driven decision making.
• Special and Inclusive Education – principles and practices for accommodating diverse learners, Individualised Education Programmes (IEPs) and collaboration with specialists.
• Multicultural and Equity-centred Education – culturally responsive pedagogy, issues of equity and community engagement.
• Educational Psychology and Research Methods – applying learning theory and basic research methods to classroom questions.
• Technology in Education – educational technology, digital resources and online/blended learning strategies.
• Fieldwork and Practicum – progressive placements in local schools that build from observation to supervised teaching; a capstone or practicum seminar integrates experience with reflective inquiry.

Structure

Students complete general education requirements alongside major courses. Major study typically begins in the second year, with practicum placements in later years. A culminating capstone project or senior seminar synthesises theory and practice. Many students choose electives or minors that complement education, such as psychology, English, STEM or special education.

Entry requirements

Admission follows Chapman University’s general undergraduate criteria. Typical expectations include a completed secondary-school qualification, a strong academic record with particular strength in English and social sciences, and a personal statement describing your interest in education. Applicants may be asked for letters of recommendation and evidence of extracurricular or volunteer experience with children or youth.

For international applicants, proof of English proficiency is required through accepted tests or approved alternatives. Some programmes and practicum placements require background checks and vaccination documentation prior to fieldwork; specific requirements are provided during enrolment planning.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a range of roles in education and related fields. Common paths include:

• Classroom teaching (after obtaining a state teaching credential if required in the jurisdiction)
• Paraprofessional and instructional support roles in schools
• Curriculum development, educational publishing or instructional design
• Youth work, tutoring and after-school programme coordination
• Educational policy, administration and non-profit roles focused on schools and communities
• Progression to postgraduate teacher-credential or master’s programmes in education, counselling or specialised areas such as special education or educational leadership

The programme’s practicum elements and local school partnerships support employability by providing hands-on experience and professional networking in the Orange County and greater Los Angeles education communities.

Why study at Chapman University

Chapman offers a personalised, small-cohort learning environment within a comprehensive university, enabling close mentorship from faculty with experience in schools, research and policy. The university’s location in Southern California provides access to diverse urban and suburban school settings for meaningful fieldwork and community partnerships. Students benefit from interdisciplinary opportunities across liberal arts, social sciences and professional programmes, as well as career services and alumni networks that support entry into classrooms, graduate study and education-sector careers.