Education Studies at NYU: Everything You Want to Know

In fact, one of the core courses is called Education as a Social Institution. Here, students dive into how our everyday lives influence what happens—or doesn’t happen—in the educational world. “It’s all about exploring the intersections of society, culture, and schools,” says Jasmine Hawkins-White. She’s an assistant clinical professor of education studies and the Education Studies program director. As a former middle and high school math teacher, Hawkins-White says she began to notice how inequities shaped her classrooms in ways her teacher training hadn’t fully prepared her for. Her class today addresses topics like equity, access to resources, language barriers, and more.

“The course challenges students to question norms, dream big, and grapple with the real-world implications of their ideas,” she says. “It’s a space for curiosity, critical thinking, and bold conversations. It’s a reminder that education isn’t just about schools, it’s about society and the possibilities we create together.”

Experiential learning is at the heart of the Education Studies curriculum. Courses incorporate experiential learning in unique and meaningful ways. Throughout their studies, students partner with clients in university offices and at local schools and nonprofits. What’s more, they work alongside international organizations focused on the education sector. With each of these clients, students have the chance to get out of the classroom and tackle practical issues in real time.

“The heart of education is putting yourself on the ground,” says Education Studies major Miranda Lowe. “What we learn in the classroom becomes even more meaningful when we practice it and recognize the real conditions that exist in schools, school boards, communities, and educational settings. Only when we acknowledge the realities of our education system can we begin to make change.”

For Richard Fang, a senior in the Education Studies program, it was that experiential learning aspect that made the course Education Consulting so impactful. “It was amazing to have a dynamic experience of both in-class learning and real-life work,” says Richard. “The hands-on experience of working with educational institutions in New York was invaluable. It offered me a closer look at the complexities of real-world education challenges. It provided a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the inequities we discussed in class.”

Miranda says she grew up attending schools that faced a severe lack of resources and support. It was this personal experience that drove her to choose the Education Studies major. Out of the core classes, Introduction to Education Policy Analysis has been her favorite. “This course expanded my understanding and critical thinking of modern-day education issues,” she says. “It presented a wide range of positions, policy tools, and measures that can be used as future policymakers, analysts, and advocates in education. It was a safe space to utilize my experience within education and also amplify other perspectives that are often missed.”

Though she notes it’s tough to pick just one, Education Studies major Emma Kate Allman says her favorite core class has been Globalization and Education. “On top of eye-opening readings on the impacts of neoliberalism and our ever-globalizing world, my class was incredibly diverse in perspectives, making discussions fulfilling to be a part of,” says Emma Kate. “Taking this class solidified my growing interest in international education, humanitarian aid, and development.”