KU School of Education & Human Sciences | Undergraduate Viewbook

WHAT WILL YOUR JAYHAWK STORY BE?

CREATE YOUR JAYHAWK LEGACY

In the School of Education & Human Sciences, students like you make history. Make memories. Make discoveries. They make news and become educators or human science and sport professionals prepared as leaders to face and shape the world. Every KU student becomes a part of the Jayhawk family.

SERVING KANSAS, THE NATION AND THE WORLD

Founded in 1909, the University of Kansas School of Education & Human Sciences educates future teachers, administrators, counselors, psychologists, and health and sport professionals. We serve Kansas, the nation and the world by preparing leaders and practitioners in education and related human science fields. Students expand and deepen their understanding of education as a fundamental human endeavor, gaining the necessary skills and experience to help society define and respond to its educational responsibilities and challenges.

We offer a variety of undergraduate programs from our Lawrence Campus sites at Joseph R. Pearson Hall and Robinson Center. The School of Education & Human Sciences also offers several degree programs at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park, Kansas.

Undergraduate degrees offered

• Bachelor ’s degree programs in curriculum & teaching

• Bachelor ’s degree programs in health, sport & exercise sciences

Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging

We believe that diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) are vital to our success — specifically, our teaching, advising, mentoring, research and service functions. As members of a university and the larger community, we value diverse viewpoints and knowledge, which requires a respectful, inclusive and caring culture.

Learn more about our commitment to DEIB: soehs.ku.edu/deib

GOOD TO KNOW

Of all students within the KU School of Education & Human Sciences, 55.4% 60.5% 19.5% 4.9% 55% are undergraduates are women are from are international are Kansas underrepresented students residents minorities

GOOD TO KNOW

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semesters of practicum and student teaching offer valuable classroom experience

98% of Jayhawks who graduate from the School of Education & Human Sciences pass their licensure exam

$54,000 average yearly teaching salary in the state of Kansas 2022 Kansas Department of Education

4 years to complete the teacher education program at KU when starting the program in your first college semester

<50 miles to a valuable student teaching experience, all within a 50-mile radius of Lawrence

CURRICULUM & TEACHING: TEACHER EDUCATION

“The most important lesson I have learned as a student in the School of Education & Human Sciences is how much educators impact the lives of young students and how much of a difference they make each and every day.”

Grace Mosier, unified early childhood, ’22, now pursuing a master’s degree in counseling psychology at KU

“My favorite thing about the elementary education program at KU is receiving a high-class education with empowerment of invested faculty and peers that become family. The School of Education & Human Sciences is one where excellence is the standard and perfection is a consistent goal. The faculty educate the holistic student, making every experience you encounter valuable so that you may then go and educate.”

Javen Betts, elementary education, ’23

“The STEMTeach program at KU gives me the opportunity to combine my love of science with my desire to guide kids throughout their educational journey. It has broadened my horizons on how young people learn today, as well as their enthusiasm for science and math. The program has allowed me to explore different career paths and has given me many mentors and friends along the way.”

Michael Abeita, STEMTeach KU

Students can study abroad, take advantage of learning from prestigious faculty, and gain diverse experiences through their fieldwork in Lawrence and surrounding school districts. The four-year initial licensure programs cover a wide variety of age ranges and subject areas. Licensure endorsements are available in Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Once they graduate from one of these teacher education programs, Jayhawks are prepared to pursue a teaching license in Kansas with support available for obtaining licensure in other states.

Elementary education and our two blended general education/special education programs (unified early childhood and elementary education unified) are each set up in a cadre model, which means that students complete a majority of their teacher preparation courses with a small group of 25 to 30 others. Students in secondary teacher education gain expertise in their chosen teaching interests by focusing a large percentage of time in that specific content area, while elementary teacher education students cover a wide breadth of subjects.

UNIFIED EARLY CHILDHOOD

A bachelor’s degree in unified early childhood teacher education prepares you for work in inclusive settings to meet the learning needs of young children, ages birth through 3rd grade, including those at risk for and with developmental delays or disabilities. Students who complete this program are prepared to apply for a teaching license in general education and special education.

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

A bachelor’s degree in elementary teacher education prepares you to teach children in kindergarten through 6th grade. This program combines general education courses and professional education coursework with multiple field experiences at the elementary level in diverse communities.

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION UNIFIED

A bachelor’s degree in elementary education unified prepares you for work in inclusive settings to meet the learning needs of all children in kindergarten through 6th grade, including those with disabilities. Students who complete this program are prepared to apply for a teaching license in general education and special education.

Teacher education programs at the University of Kansas lay the groundwork for successful careers in educational settings.

Most teacher education classes are in Joseph R. Pearson Hall, a former residence hall

SECONDARY HISTORY & GOVERNMENT

The bachelor’s degree in secondary history & government teacher education prepares individuals to teach in both middle school and high school classrooms. History and government is also commonly known as social studies. The teacher education program combines history, political science and geography courses, as well as professional education coursework, with multiple field experiences in diverse communities.

SECONDARY ENGLISH EDUCATION

The bachelor’s degree in secondary English teacher education prepares pre-service educators to teach adolescents in both middle school and high school classrooms. The program combines literature-based theory and knowledge with culturally diverse readings and discussions. In addition to the course offerings in the School of Education & Human Sciences, courses taught by faculty from the Department of English offer students learning options in rhetoric, linguistics and literature.

Field experience

FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION

The bachelor’s degree in foreign language education prepares individuals to teach foreign language to children and adolescents in Pre-K through 12th grade settings. The program serves native language speakers, as well as second language speakers, and allows students to select from four different language options: French, German, Latin and Spanish.

STEMTEACH KU

Careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) all require creative thinking and leadership. STEMTeach KU is designed to fit the unique needs of STEM majors in a way that develops their ability to be leaders in their field and in the classroom. In this program, students can pursue a teaching license alongside earning a degree in one of several STEM fields. This program is offered in collaboration with the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

KU students leave our initial teacher licensure programs with a clear understanding of the expectations of the teaching profession and with approximately 600-1,000 hours of field experience.

Student teaching

Student teaching is a requirement for all of our initial teacher licensure programs. Students have the opportunity to teach in a variety of settings — urban, suburban, or rural areas. Student teaching is completed within a 50-mile radius of the main campus in Lawrence, Kansas. Many of our teacher education programs include two semesters of practicum and student teaching, as well as multiple semesters of experience in education settings. STEMTeach KU, PE+, visual art education, and music education include just one semester of student teaching. Students interested in visual art education or music education should contact the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences or the School of Music for more information.

Learn more about student teaching and other field experience opportunities at KU: soehs.ku.edu/student-life/field-experience

“I truly feel as though I’m being prepared to enter the classroom feeling confident in my abilities and this is thanks to the truly phenomenal professors, advisors and peers I’ve been fortunate enough to work with here.”

Kaitlyn Moore, secondary English education

James Naismith, creator of basketball, was a physical education instructor at KU

HEALTH, SPORT & EXERCISE SCIENCES

“I have really enjoyed all aspects of being a part of HSES within the School of Education & Human Sciences. As a community health major, I think my favorite part is getting to explain what ‘community health’ really means and share the great experiences I have had so far learning about health-based sciences, connecting with amazing staff and faculty, and building relationships with peers.”

Alden Pennington, community health

“PE+ is more than just learning how to be a gym teacher. This program will teach you how to become a leader and a role model to your future students, and open up more opportunities for yourself far after graduation.”

Myltin

Bighorn, physical education plus, ’22, now pursuing a master’s degree in sport management at KU

“My favorite thing about the exercise science program at KU is the unity and respect everyone has for each other. The professors genuinely want you to succeed and will do whatever they can to help you reach your full potential. Classmates become your friends and you get to work together and help each other, and this has helped me have the best.”

Gabby Dorsen, exercise science, ’22

HSES students have access to study abroad programs, research with faculty, and volunteer opportunities in the immediate community and beyond. In addition to its academic programs, the department offers research opportunities for faculty and students in a variety of laboratories and clinics.

SPORT MANAGEMENT

The bachelor’s degree in sport management prepares students for a variety of positions in the sport and athletics industry: professional athletics, intercollegiate athletics, as well as other sport and health-related organizations. Students learn from full-time faculty who are prominent scholars and expert practitioners. Students also get to interact with program alumni and other sport professionals working for organizations such as the Kansas City Chiefs, Sporting Kansas City, Kansas City Royals and Kansas Athletics.

Internship

A semester-long internship, 600 hours or more, is required for sport management majors during the last semester of their program. The senior internship provides real-world experience and future employer contacts. All classes in the program must be completed before the internship.

Career directions

Ticket sales manager

New membership sales consultant

Youth soccer coordinator

Marketing and foundation coordinator

Guest services specialist

Events and operations coordinator

The academic programs offered through the Department of Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences (HSES) lay the groundwork for success in a variety of health, science and sport careers.

Most health, sport & exercise sciences courses are in the historic Robinson Center

PHYSICAL EDUCATION PLUS (PE+)

The bachelor’s degree in physical education plus (PE+) prepares individuals to become PE teachers at the PK-12 levels. Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in PE+ will have fulfilled the requirements for the degree as well as the requirements to pursue an initial teaching license in physical education for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Kansas.

Student teaching

Student teaching is required for PE+ majors. Student teaching sites are close by, within a 50-mile radius of Lawrence.

Career directions

Teacher

Fitness professional

Program coordinator

Curriculum specialist

Department chair

Physical activity leader

Athletic director

GOOD TO KNOW

65 internship sites

66% of Jayhawks who graduate with a major in community health enroll in graduate school

72% of Jayhawks who graduate with a major in exercise science enroll in graduate school

6 national championships won by the KU men’s basketball team (four NCAA Division 1 championships, two Helms championships prior to the formation of NCAA)

Rock Chalk!

COMMUNITY HEALTH

The bachelor’s degree in community health prepares students for career paths in a variety of public and communitybased settings. The program is rigorous and dynamic and allows students who are passionate about health issues in a community setting to work with individuals to develop healthy attitudes and behaviors. Students in this program acquire the knowledge and skills to engage with diverse communities in the development, implementation and assessment of health promotion programs. Coursework also prepares students for the Certified Health Education Specialist exam and to apply for graduate programs such as occupational therapy school.

Internship

A semester-long internship, 600 hours or more, is required for community health majors during the last semester of their program. The senior internship provides real-world experience and future employer contacts. All classes in the program must be completed before the internship.

Career directions

Hospital/clinic-based educator

Health consultant

Health education specialist

Health education program coordinator

Corporate wellness professional

EXERCISE SCIENCE

The bachelor’s degree in exercise science provides a thorough understanding of the human body and prepares you to work in health-related professional fields. The program is a designated Education Recognition Program through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Program coursework focuses on various studies — physiology of exercise, motor control, biomechanics, and rehabilitative exercise.

Preparation for professional programs

Coursework in our undergraduate programs prepares students to meet prerequisite requirements for many professional school programs including the physical therapy program at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Those who choose to pursue an advanced degree after graduation are considered for many highly-selective master’s and doctoral degree programs across the U.S.

Internship or approved electives

Exercise science students choose either to complete an approved internship experience or pursue a program track full of approved elective courses. The semester-long internship, 600 hours or more, provides students with hands-on experience and is completed during the last semester of the program, once all classes in the program have been completed.

Career directions

Exercise/fitness instructor

Personal trainer

Clinical exercise physiologist

Injury prevention specialist

Sport medicine specialist

Strength and conditioning coach

Sport scientist

“The most valuable part of being involved in the School is the relationships you develop with the faculty and staff. Every time you step into an advising appointment or a lecture you always feel welcome and embraced by the staff.”

Becker Elbanna, sport management, ’22

STUDY OR TEACH ABROAD

The KU Office of Study Abroad & Global Engagement (SAGE) offers programs for students in every part of the world and in a wide variety of majors. SAGE works closely with KU’s academic departments to identify and evaluate study abroad options and courses so you will know how a recommended program fits with the degree requirements of your major.

Curious about your study or teach abroad options? Learn more at studyabroad.ku.edu/major

EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITIES

RESEARCH

The KU School of Education & Human Sciences offers students, faculty and instructors access to a variety of campus-based labs, resources and technology services. As a student, you’ll have the opportunity to conduct research directly under the supervision of faculty members who are renowned scholars and established leaders in their fields of study. Here are just a few examples.

Black male teachers, movies and Hollywood stereotypes

The scripts of the most popular Hollywood films depicting Black male teachers from late ’60s onward are all derived from anti-Black social science scholarship’s depictions of Black fathers, a new study published by Daniel Thomas III, assistant professor of curriculum & teaching, finds. “The bodies of Black men and boys are discursively rearranged within movie scripts to quench America’s thirst for pathological representations of Blackness,” Thomas said.

Preparing educators in an era of change

“How do you feel about preparing teachers in an era of change in higher education?”

That’s the question at the center of a new book co-written by Heidi Hallman, professor of curriculum & teaching. At the Crossroads of Pedagogical Change in Higher Education chronicles the history of centers for teaching and learning, drawing on interviews with faculty developers and the literature of the field and higher education.

Effects of overtraining on muscle

A new study by researchers in KU’s Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory explores the role of hyaluronic acid in muscles and what happens when fit people overtrain.

“We want to understand what happens when you push things, because that’s what athletes do, they push themselves to the limit,” said Andy Fry, professor of health, sport & exercise sciences, lab director and study co-author.

Lessons in leadership from youth sports

Jordan Bass, chair and associate professor of health, sport & exercise sciences, couldn’t find a book that offered lessons in teamwork and growing from athletic failure for young athletes. So he wrote one himself. “The Youth Sports Handbook” serves as a guide for young people wanting to learn about the soft skills of sports.

For more information about labs and research within the School, visit hses.ku.edu/ mission-vision/ research-labs

HOW YOUR JAYHAWK STORY OFFICIALLY BEGINS

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

First-year undergraduate students may be directly admitted to their SOEHS major if they meet these assured admission standards:

• 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale, no test scores required or

• ACT score of at least 21 or SAT score of at least 1060, plus a GPA of at least 2.0

Current and transfer students may be admitted to their SOEHS major if they have a 2.75 KU plus transfer cumulative GPA

Read about admission requirements at soehs.ku.edu/admission

FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Since 1958, the School of Education & Human Sciences has offered financial support through academic scholarships to thousands of junior and senior undergraduate students who have been admitted to a professional program within the School. These scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account both need and merit.

For more about scholarships, visit soehs.ku.edu/admission/scholarships LET’S

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Joseph R. Pearson Hall

1122 W. Campus Rd

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