Education
The education minor is part of a rich liberal arts foundation that develops the most prepared K-12 teachers and future leaders. You will not only gain a depth to your knowledge, but also have the breadth that helps you serve students and families in diverse school settings.
Why Choose a Minor in Education?
Lewis & Clark students with a broad liberal arts background are well-positioned to serve children and families in the K-12 school system. You will gain an understanding of the ways knowledge is developed and accessed by people from different cultures, have awareness of the connectedness of humanity, understand and interrogate your own biases, and recognize the need to act compassionately and responsibility in our complex world. College of Arts and Sciences graduates stand out in the Lewis & Clark Graduate Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program for their unique ways of thinking through complexities, which are the characteristics that are needed in educators in the K-12 education system.
A Direct Path to Graduate School
If Lewis & Clark is right for you as an undergraduate student, then our Graduate School of Education and Counseling will be a great fit. Through Lewis & Clark’s Teacher Pathways program, we provide early admission to the graduate school and a way to earn your bachelor of arts degree plus your master of arts in teaching (MAT) degree—and licensure!—in five years. You can apply to Teacher Pathways as an incoming, first-year, or second-year student.
The Teacher Pathways Program provides opportunities in internships and volunteering, community events with current graduate students and faculty, and a way to get a feel for the Graduate Campus. The program will also help you with your graduate school application and provides guidance and support in the transition from undergraduate to graduate life. Students interested in the education minor are strongly encouraged to also participate in the Teacher Pathways Program so they can be part of a vibrant, education-focused community and one that directly connects them to graduate school and a teaching career.
Undergraduate Degree (BA)
While earning your BA in the Teacher Pathways program, you have access to an advisor and ability to enroll in undergraduate education courses with a social-justice focus. These courses are taught by graduate faculty—allowing you to establish relationships with the very professors who you will learn from as a graduate student—and will introduce you to educational theory and practice. The pathway also provides participants with the unique opportunity to attend events focused on education and social justice alongside current MAT students, and to experience a hands-on practicum at a local K-12 public school.
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)—and professional licensure!
Our nationally recognized teacher education graduate programs are the perfect preparation for a career in education. The programs are firmly grounded in principles of social justice and are committed to teaching for equity as a way to transform the lives of young people. A balance of coursework and practical experience in K-12 classrooms will prepare you to change schools from the inside out.
What You’ll Study
The interdisciplinary minor means you will have access to dedicated education courses with a social-justice focus and a wide variety of electives from across departments that serve your understanding of contemporary education in the United States. The education courses are taught by graduate school faculty. They will introduce you to educational theory and practice and you will participate in a hands-on practicum at a local K-12 public school. Many of our students also earn course credit while on an overseas program.
Complement Your Education With One of These Majors
The most popular majors for our education minors are psychology, philosophy, and sociology and anthropology.
What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark
Corey Van Landingham BA ’08More about CoreyI have completed a lot of my career goals, for which I largely have the mentorship of my professors at L&C to thank. I have a job I love, teaching undergraduate and graduate poets. I have published multiple books of poetry, and I get to help students complete their own first books.
Ela Gore BA ’26More about ElaL&C has helped me gain valuable experience in the health care industry, and I would highly encourage other students to tap into the Lewis & Clark network in Portland.
Alie Cicero BA ’24More about AlieLiberal arts students adeptly prepare themselves for their future workplace and learn how to be active and productive members of society.
What Can You Do With a Minor in Education?
You will be able to use your BA with a minor in education to pursue a wide range of careers, including teaching, administration, nonprofit advocacy work, journalism, and more. It is not unusual for our graduates to become leaders in their schools and school districts, but also take policy positions with research organizations and think tanks.
Dedicated Faculty
Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.
Education Minor Advising
Advising for the education minor will be provided by Professor Cari Zall, faculty in the Graduate School’s Teacher Education program. Cari is also director of the Teacher Pathway program and along with other faculty from the graduate school, she teaches ED205 and ED446. When you are ready, you can make an appointment with Cari, who will help you create a course planning chart based on the above course selections in collaboration with the departments offering those courses and your academic major advisor.
Carissa Zall More about CarissaIt’s such a gift to be able to connect with undergraduates and stay in relationship with them all the way through graduate school and beyond.
Invest in Yourself
A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate in four years with their bachelor of arts degree that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.
Find Your People
Our Teacher Pathways program provides participants with the unique opportunity to attend events focused on education and social justice alongside current MAT students, and to experience a hands-on practicum at a local K-12 public school. Lewis & Clark’s Career Center also provides many opportunities for students planning to continue in this field, such as volunteer work with community-based educational organizations. Lewis & Clark also has an Aspiring Educators Living-Learning Community, so you can easily live with and learn alongside like-minded students who want to explore careers working in education and are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and youth.
Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You
Spencer Byrne-Seres BA ’13More about SpencerL&C encouraged curiosity in me to see and cultivate new perspectives of the world, to listen, and to observe.
Dan Sizer BA ’16More about DanL&C showed me what it’s like to have an institution and its people believe in you. I was supported in any wild idea I had from start to finish. This gave me immense courage moving forward in starting my own business.
Ezri Reyes BA ’22More about EzriI really hope to move forward and experiment, specifically with music and movement in live performance, and one day be in a company that will help produce original work, welcome artists of all disciplines, and support artists’ dreams to come true.
Featured News
Four New Minors Expand Academic Paths
Lewis & Clark is expanding its curriculum with four new minors in law and policy, education, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Together, they give students fresh ways to connect a liberal arts education to rapidly changing fields and meaningful careers.