Education Policy Studies Undergraduate Minor

The undergraduate minor in Education Policy Studies is designed to introduce students to the fundamental tenets of education policy development and analysis in both the U.S. and other countries. Students pursuing the minor may choose from courses on educational policy in the areas of higher education, educational leadership, educational theory and policy, Native American education leadership, and comparative/international education. The minor consists of a multidisciplinary program of study in areas of education related to numerous policy issues including social sciences, history, management sciences, and/or humanities. It is anticipated that students completing the minor will find that these studies can enrich any major degree program and may have the potential to provide opportunities for employment and/or graduate studies in state departments of education, ministries of education, federal and international education agencies, academic institutions, and various professional associations.

The minor is open to all interested undergraduate students. Schreyer Scholars who pursue this minor may also take 500-level courses where appropriate. There is an honors section available for Scholars to enroll in for EDTHP 115 and EDPSY 014.

This 18-credit minor may be combined with any undergraduate major at Penn State. Only courses in which the student earns a "C" or better may be counted toward the fulfillment of the requirements. The student begins with EDTHP 115 (3) and EDPSY 014 (3) credits. During the junior and senior years, the student will enroll in 12 additional credits of the 400-level courses listed as acceptable courses. The minor advisor will keep a list of 500-level courses that will be available to senior students in the minor who possess a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA.

Prerequisites: None

Requirements for the Minor: 18 credits

Prescribed Courses (6 credits) (Semester Standing 1-2 or 3-4):
EDTHP 115     EDPSY 14

Select 12 credits from (Semester Standing 5-6 or 7-8):
CI ED 470 

EDLDR 405, EDLDR 409, EDLDR 476, EDLDR 480, EDLDR 481, EDLDR 485, EDLDR 496 (Independent Studies), or EDLDR 497 (Special Topics) with department approval  

EDTHP 401, EDTHP 411, EDTHP 416, EDTHP 420, EDTHP 425, EDTHP 427, EDTHP 430, EDTHP 440, EDTHP 441, EDTHP 496 (Independent Studies), or EDTHP 497 (Special Topics) with department approval

Application Procedure 

Students who have achieved fifth semester standing (60 credits completed) may apply for admission to this minor by submitting a completed Application for Entrance to Education Policy Studies Undergraduate Minor to Karen Tzilkowski in the Education Policy Studies office, 300 Rackley Building, University Park, PA 16802. For more information, contact Dr. Roger Shouse, 204F Rackley Building, University Park, PA 16802

Contact Us

Roger Shouse, Associate Professor of Education
(814) 863-3773

Karen Tzilkowski, Staff Assistant
(814) 865-1488

Education Policy Studies
Penn State
300 Rackley Building
University Park, PA 16802