About the Program

With its values-centered orientation, strong liberal arts tradition and close student-faculty relationships, Earlham College is an ideal place for students to prepare themselves to be caring teachers and educational leaders. Indeed, since 1989, 28% of the College's graduates have entered education as a career; no other endeavor has attracted more Earlham graduates than education.

At Earlham students may:

• earn a bachelor's degree, master's degree and teacher certification in five years, or five years and a summer, through Earlham's Master of Arts in Teaching Program.

• pursue a minor in Education in preparation for private school teaching or graduate study.

• pursue "ESL" (English as a Second Language) interests by combining the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) minor with studies in Education.

• pursue a minor in Outdoor Education in cooperation with the Wilderness program (see Outdoor Education).

We believe that a liberal arts curriculum — including courses in the natural and social sciences, fine arts, humanities and world languages — provides the best foundation for education careers because it builds students' abilities of analysis, communication, problem-solving and creative thinking. By earning a major in a specialty, and by taking courses in education and other relevant fields, our students become equipped with a broad range of knowledge and skills they can apply in the classroom. The program convener works individually with Education students to help them plan academic programs that will prepare them for further study and personal career goals.

Students interested in education are strongly encouraged to participate in Earlham's off-campus or foreign study programs. Students often arrange teaching internships or relevant volunteer service near campus, in their hometowns or while participating in off-campus study. They also gain useful experience while serving as teaching assistants or academic tutors.

According to HEDS data, Earlham is ranked 99th (in the 93rd percentile) among 1,469 institutions of higher learning in the U.S. in the percentage of graduates who go on to receive Ph.D.s in education. Of those receiving Ph.D.s in science education, Earlham ranks 35th (in the 97th percentile) and in mathematics education, 78th (the 94th percentile).

Recent graduates of Earlham's Education Program have pursued advanced studies at such universities as Brown, Chicago, Wisconsin, Columbia, Duke, Illinois and Indiana. Graduates are teaching at the elementary, secondary and college levels in public and private institutions in America and abroad. Others are following careers in Outward Bound, museum work, journalism, social work, library science and mission work.

An increasing number of Earlham graduates enroll in the College's M.A.T. Program, offering certification in social studies, English/Language Arts, math, science and modern foreign languages, all at the middle school and high school level.

Earlham College · 801 National Road West · Richmond, Indiana 47374-4095
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This page last updated: September 26, 2007