Program Overview
Education
Learn by doing from your first year while preparing to become a thoughtful, confident educator who makes a lasting impact.
Gain 700+ Classroom Hours
Work alongside experienced educators from your first year through student teaching.
Learn Through Experience
Connect coursework with field experiences, student teaching, and Independent Study.
Become a Reflective Educator
Use research, data, and classroom practice to continually improve your teaching.
Why study Education at Wooster?
At Wooster, studying Education means learning how to think as well as how to teach.
Through a liberal arts education, you'll explore ideas across disciplines, evaluate evidence, solve complex problems, and understand why effective teaching strategies work. Small classes and close faculty mentorship help you develop into a confident educator who is prepared to adapt to the needs of every classroom.
Throughout the program, you'll gain extensive classroom experience while connecting theory to practice. During student teaching, you'll conduct action research in your own classroom, collecting and analyzing data about student learning and using those insights to strengthen your teaching. By graduation, you'll be prepared not only for teacher licensure, but for a career of continuous learning and leadership.
Featured Courses
Explore how students learn through courses such as:
- Introduction to Education
- Intervention and Support
- Children's and Young Adult Literature
- Methods courses aligned with your licensure area
Many courses include more than 50 hours of classroom field experience with local teachers and students.
Learn, teach, reflect, and grow.
Education students complete Independent Study while student teaching, creating a capstone experience that directly connects research with classroom practice.
Rather than writing a traditional thesis, you'll conduct action research in your own classroom by asking meaningful questions, collecting evidence about student learning, and using that information to improve your teaching. This practical research experience prepares you to enter the profession as a reflective educator who continually evaluates and strengthens your practice.
Ready to Inspire the Next Generation?
Whether you see yourself teaching elementary students, leading a high school classroom, or pursuing careers in educational leadership, nonprofit organizations, or learning and development, Wooster prepares you to help others succeed.
Career Opportunities
Education graduates pursue careers in a wide variety of learning environments.
Many graduates also pursue leadership roles in education, community organizations, and business.
Key Areas
Graduates work as:
Elementary, middle, and high school teachers
Special education specialists
Literacy coaches
Instructional leaders
School counselors
Educational technology professionals
Curriculum designers
Corporate learning and development specialists
Youth development and nonprofit professionals
Camp and outdoor education leaders
Where Our Alumni Go
Education graduates have built careers with organizations including:
- Shaker Heights City Schools
- Worthington Hilliard City Schools
- Wooster City Schools
- Francis W. Parker School
- Gilman School
- Russian School of Mathematics
- Peace Corps
- Teaching Assistant Program in France
Licensure & Accreditation
Choose from 13 teacher licensure pathways, including:
- Primary Education (PreK-5)
- Integrated Mathematics (Grades 7-12)
- Integrated Social Studies (Grades 7-12)
- Integrated Language Arts (Grades 7-12)
- Music Education (PreK-12)
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Life Sciences
- Earth Sciences
- Spanish
- French
- German
- Arts Education
Additional pathways in Physical Education and Intervention Specialist are planned beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.
Accredited for Your Future
The College of Wooster's Education program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Graduates earn Ohio teacher licensure, and Ohio's high standards help prepare graduates to pursue licensure in many other states.
Scholarships & Student Opportunities
Education students may be recognized through awards and scholarships including:
- William Edgar Hoffman, Jr. Prize in Education
- Whitney E. Stoneburner Memorial Prize in Education
- Barbara Ward McGraw Memorial Prize in Education
- Whitmore-Williams Scholarships
These awards recognize academic achievement, commitment to teaching, and excellence in education.
Gretchen Tefs
Visiting Instructor of Education
gtefs@wooster.edu
Allison Neptune
Visiting Assistant Professor of Education
aneptune@wooster.edu
Megan E. Wereley
Associate Professor of Education
mwereley@wooster.edu
Matthew W. Broda
Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams, Jr. Endowed Associate Professor and Department Chair of Education
mabroda@wooster.edu
Ryan Ozar
Assistant Professor of Education
rozar@wooster.edu
Connect With the Department
| Interested in Education? We'd love to help you learn more about licensure pathways, classroom experiences, faculty mentorship, and career opportunities. |