The 26-unit minor offers 14 units of foundational coursework, including human development, positive youth development, anti-oppressive practices with multicultural populations, an internship experience; and 12 units of focused coursework in one of two tracks: 1) Positive Youth Development: Justice, Advocacy & Sport or 2) Developmental & Educational Psychology.

Minor in Applied Human Development

Foundation Courses (14 Units)

• WED HD 136 Introduction to Human Development (4 units)
• WED CE 142 Anti-Oppressive Practice: Education & Psychology (4 units)
• WED HD 400 72-hour Internship & Seminar: Fall Semester Only (2 units) – Must be coordinated the semester before, please reach out to the internship coordinator 
• WED YJ 360 Positive Youth Development (4 units)

Track Requirements (12 Units)

Positive Youth Development: Justice, Advocacy & Sport Track (12 Units)

Core course:

• WED YJ 201 Introduction to Youth Justice & Advocacy (4 units)

Choose 8 additional elective units:

• WED YJ 301 Juvenile Courts & Law (4 units)
• WED YJ 302 Causes & Prevention of Delinquency (4 units)
• WED YJ 380 Youth Advocacy (4 units)
• WED PE 211 Movement Education: Early Childhood to Adolescence (2 units)
• WED PE 250 Community Leadership through Youth Sport Coaching (2 units)
• WED PE 375 Psychology of Sport (4 units)
• WED PE 500 Universal Design for Working with Youth (2 units)

Developmental & Educational Psychology Track (12 Units)

Choose two core courses: 

• WED HD 224 Emotional Development (4 units)
• WED HD 300 Educational Psychology (4 units)
• WED HD 354 Achievement Gap (4 units)

Choose one elective:

• WED HD 211 Student Motivation (4 units)
• WED HD 311 African American School Achievement (4 units)
• WED HD 316 Children’s Political Lives (4 units)
• WED HD 327 Asian American Psychology (4 units)
• WED HD 330 Psychology of Race (4 units)
• WED HD 385 Psychological Trauma (4 units)

The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) minor includes courses designed to build students’ knowledge and skills related to (a) understanding the history, etiology, and characteristics of ASD; (b) conducting educational assessments of students with ASD; (c) developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs for students with ASD; and (d) collaborating with professionals and families in the development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs.

This minor is open to all BU undergraduate students; however, it may be of particular interest to students intending to work in education, human services, medicine, or law. Undergraduate Wheelock students seeking licensure in Moderate Disabilities PreK–8 or 5–12, or Severe Disabilities ages 3–21 will be eligible for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE) Autism Endorsement (603 CMR 7.14(5)) if they complete the requirements as a part of their degree program.

20 units for minor; 22 for those eligible and also seeking MA DESE endorsement

Minor in Autism Spectrum Disorders  (20 -22 Units)

Required Courses: (14 Units)

• WED SE 250 Disability, Education, and Public Policy (4 units)
• WED SE 535 Understanding Autism (2 units)
• WED SE 536 Assessment and Instruction of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (4 units)
• WED SE 601 Parent and Professional Collaboration (2 units)
• WED SE 534 Classroom and Behavior Management (2 units)
  

Choose one of the following: (4 Units)

• WED SE 502 Behavioral and Emotional Problems: Characteristics and Methods (4 units)
• WED SE 533 Families of Children with Special Needs (4 units)
  

Field Experience* (choose one): (2 or 4 Units)

• WED SE 317 Fieldwork in Special Education: Autism (2 units)
• WED SE 596 Practicum: Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (4 units)

*Fieldwork courses require communication with the Special Education Program Director prior to the semester of intended enrollment to arrange placement and supervision.

The Deaf Studies minor provides students with the opportunity to develop advanced proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) while gaining a deeper understanding of Deaf culture, history, literature, and the Deaf community as a linguistic and cultural minority. Through coursework focused on language development, cultural analysis, and social contexts, students build applied ASL skills and explore issues of access, identity, power, and advocacy within the Deaf world. The minor is designed for students interested in education, linguistics, psychology, social justice, healthcare, or community-based work, and emphasizes both linguistic competence and cultural engagement. 

The minor consists of a minimum of 24 units. A grade of C or higher is required in all courses taken toward the minor concentration, and only two classes may be used toward a major and minor. No more than two classes may be taken at an external institution and applied to a Wheelock minor.

Minor in Deaf Studies

Core Courses: (16 units)

• WED DE 381 American Sign Language I (4 units)
• WED DE 382 American Sign Language II (4 units)
• WED DE 383 American Sign Language III (4 units)
• WED DE 384 American Sign Language IV (4 units)
  

Electives (choose 8 units)

• WED DE 300 Introduction to the Deaf World (4 units)
• WED DE 350 History and Culture of the Deaf (4 units)
• WED DE 351 Deaf Literature and Visual Arts (4 units)
• WED DE 372 Social Psychology and the Deaf World (4 units)
• WED DE 385 Applied ASL (2 units)
• WED DE 386 Academic ASL (2 units)
• WED DE 472 Sign Language Structure (4 units)

Minor in Deaf Education (26 Units)

The Deaf Education minor provides students with foundational knowledge in language, literacy, and cognitive development necessary for working in Deaf education, with a strong emphasis on the integration of American Sign Language (ASL), English, and Deaf culture. Through coursework and field-based experiences, students gain introductory skills in curriculum design, instructional planning, assessment, and collaboration with families and communities. The minor is open to students across the University and is designed for those interested in Deaf education or in pursuing graduate study and licensure as a Teacher of the Deaf; however, the minor alone does not lead to licensure.

Prerequisites:

• WED DE 381 American Sign Language I (or equivalent)
• WED DE 382 American Sign Language II (or equivalent)
• WED DE 383 American Sign Language III (or equivalent)
• WED DE 384 American Sign Language IV (or equivalent)
  

Required Courses: (20 Units)

• WED DE 351 Deaf Literature & Visual Arts (4 units)
• WED DE 385 ASL V (2 units)
• WED DE 386 ASL VI (2 units)
• WED DE 503 ASL/English Instructional Methods: Content Areas (4 units)
• WED DE 504 ASL/English Instructional Methods: Literacy (4 units)
• WED DE 507 Dynamics of Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice within Deaf Communities (4 units)
  • OR WED DE 506 Teaching and Creating ASL Literature (4 units)

Field-Based Practicum Experience: (6 Units)

• WED DE 561 Pre-Practicum: Initial Strategies (2 units)
• WED DE 562 Practicum: Deaf Students with Disabilities (4 units)

Additional Coursework (Recommended for Students Interested in Dual Licensure):

• WED DE 531 Early Language and Social Learning in Deaf Children (4 units)
• WED DE 532 Disability Studies and Deaf Education (4 units)
• WED DE 533 Social Psychology and the Deaf World (4 units)
• WED DE 534 Sign Language Structure (4 units)
• WED DE 535 Teaching ASL as a First Language (4 units)
• WED TL 520 Teaching English Language Learners (4 units)

The Education minor provides undergraduate students with a broad foundation in education, emphasizing equity, justice-based practice, and collaboration with families and communities. Through interdisciplinary coursework, students develop an introductory understanding of educational systems, anti-oppressive practice, and disability policy, while exploring how education operates across diverse contexts and populations. The minor is designed for students interested in education-related careers, graduate study, or applying educational perspectives to fields such as psychology, human development, policy, and social services.

Minor in Education (24 Units)

Core Courses: (16 Units)

• WED CE 142 Anti-Oppressive Practice: Education & Applied Psychology (4 units)
• WED ED 200 Introduction to Justice-Based Education (4 units)
• WED ED 406 Family & Community Engagement (4 units)
• WED SE 250 Disability, Education, and Public Policy (4 units)

Elective Courses : (8 Units)

Select two of the following:

• WED ED 331 Approaches to Learning (4 units)
• WED ED 350 Sense-Making in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (4 units)
• WED ED 507 Global Citizenship in Education (4 units)
• WED EN 512 Methods of Teaching Writing in Secondary English Language Arts (4 units)
• Other approved WED course (with permission of the Education minor advisor and student advisor)

The Emotional & Behavioral Challenges in Schools minor provides students with foundational coursework and field-based experience focused on student mental health, behavioral development, and school-based supports. Through an interdisciplinary lens, students examine how emotional and behavioral challenges affect children’s experiences in educational settings and develop introductory skills related to behavior management, assessment, and intervention. The minor is open to all Boston University undergraduates and is particularly relevant for students interested in education, psychology, human services, medicine, or law.

Minor in Emotional & Behavioral Challenges in Schools 

Core Courses in Special Education: (14 Units)

• WED SE 250 Disability, Education, and Public Policy (4 units)*
• WED SE 317 Fieldwork in Special Education: Autism (focus on students with emotional and behavioral disorders) (2 units)**
• WED SE 502 Behavioral and Emotional Problems: Characteristics and Methods (4 units)
• WED SE 534 Classroom and Behavior Management (2 units)
• WED SE 535 Understanding Autism (2 units)

Elective Courses (choose 8 units)

Courses focused on families and children at risk, developmental psychopathology, and behavior management

• CAS PS 434 Principles of Behavior Management (4 units)
• CAS PS 472 Family Violence: Theories and Research (4 units)
• CAS PS 475 Counseling: Theory and Listening Techniques (2 units)
• CAS PS 549 Developmental Psychopathology (4 units)
• CAS PS 550 Childhood Adversity: Risk and Resilience (4 units)
• WED CE 500 Introduction to Counseling (4 units)
• WED SE 533 The Families of Children with Disabilities (4 units)
• WED SE 536 Assessment and Instruction of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (4 units)
  

* This course must be taken at the beginning of the minor sequence.

** Fieldwork courses require communication with the Special Education Program Director prior to enrollment to arrange placement and supervision.

The English Education minor provides students with foundational pedagogical knowledge in teaching literature, writing, and literacy across diverse educational contexts. Through coursework focused on lesson design, teaching diverse readers and writers, and equitable literacy practices, students develop an introductory understanding of English education and the role of language arts in schools and society. The minor is designed for students interested in education, literacy-focused careers, or graduate study, and offers both a general elective pathway and a pre-licensure pathway.

Minor in English Education 

Core Courses (16 units)

• CAS/WED EN 538 Teaching American Literature (4 units)
• WED EN 500 Lesson Design and Instruction Delivery in the Humanities (2 units)
• WED EN 501 Teaching Classic and Contemporary Texts (4 units)
• WED EN 512 Methods of Teaching Writing in Secondary English Language Arts (4 units)
• WED EN 630 Educating for Equity and Literacy in the Humanities (2 units)

Elective Courses (choose 8 units)

• Additional elective courses in education selected in consultation with the student’s advisor
  

OR

Pre-Licensure Pathway (8 units)

• WED DS 502 Adolescent Development (2 units)
  • OR WED SE 510 Introduction to Special Education (2 units)
• WED EN 520 Pre-Practicum in English Education (2 units)
• WED TL 525 Teaching English Learners: Middle/High School (4 units)

The Mathematics Education minor allows undergraduate students to explore the teaching and learning of mathematics through coursework focused on mathematical content, pedagogy, and educational equity. Students examine key issues impacting mathematics education while developing specialized knowledge related to teaching mathematics and working with students in K–12 settings. The minor is open to students across the University, satisfies select BU Hub requirements, and does not lead to licensure as a mathematics teacher.

Minor in Mathematics Education 

Students are required to complete the following 18 units of mathematics education core courses. Those interested in mathematics teaching at the elementary grades should take ME 503 instead of ME 360 and ME 504 instead of ME 559.

Core Courses: (10 Units)

• WED ME 200 Introduction to Mathematics Education (2 units)
• WED ME 363 Problem Solving in Mathematics (4 units)
• WED ME 501 Methods for Tutoring Math Students (2 units)
• WED ME 530 Equitable Pedagogies in STEM Education (2 units)
  

Choose one from each pair: (8 Units)

• WED ME 360 Mathematics for Teaching: Algebra (4 units)
  • OR WED ME 503 Mathematical Reasoning in the Elementary Grades: Number Systems (4 units)
• WED ME 559 Mathematics for Teaching: Geometry (4 units)
  • OR WED ME 504 Mathematical Reasoning in the Elementary Grades: Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics (4 units)

The Special Education minor provides students with a foundational understanding of disabilities across the lifespan and the educational and public policies that support individuals with disabilities and their families. Through coursework and field-based experience, students examine learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral challenges, and severe disabilities, while developing introductory skills in assessment, instruction, and classroom support. The minor is open to all Boston University undergraduates and is particularly relevant for students interested in education, psychology, human services, medicine, or law.

Minor in Special Education 

Core Courses: (18 Units)

• WED SE 250 Disability, Education, and Public Policy (4 units)*
• WED SE 315 Field Experience in Special Education: Severe Disabilities (2 units)**
• WED SE 502 Behavioral and Emotional Challenges: Characteristics and Methods (4 units)
• WED SE 503 Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia: Assessment, Instruction, and Identification (4 units)
• WED SE 504 Early Childhood Special Education: Policy and Practice (2 units)
• WED SE 505 Self-Determined Transition Planning for Youth with Disabilities (2 units)

Elective Courses (choose 6 units):

• WED ED 200 Introduction to Justice-Based Education (4 units)
• WED SE 533 The Families of Children with Disabilities (4 units)
• WED SE 572 Culturally Relevant Approaches to Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units)
• WED SE 535 Understanding Autism (2 units)
  

* This course must be taken at the beginning of the minor sequence.

** Fieldwork courses require communication with the Special Education Program Director prior to enrollment to arrange placement and supervision.

The Teaching Science Education minor prepares students interested in teaching Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or General Science to communicate scientific concepts effectively across formal and informal learning environments. Grounded in evidence-based instructional theory and supported by supervised fieldwork, the minor provides practical experience in curriculum design, classroom instruction, and meeting the needs of diverse learners. Open to students with appropriate coursework in a related science field, the 28-unit minor prepares students for initial Massachusetts state licensure in biology, chemistry, or physics (grades 8–12) and general science (grades 5–8).

Minor in Teaching Science Education 

Required Courses: (22 Units)

• WED SC 575 Foundations of Science Education (4 units)
  • OR WED SC 521 Introduction to STEM Education Theory and Practice (2 units) and SC 375 Exploring Science Teaching: A Practical Experience (2 units)
• WED TL 525 Teaching English Language Learners in Middle/High Schools (4 units)
• WED DS 502 Introduction to Adolescent Development (2 units)
• WED SC 570 Science Teaching Methods I (4 units)
• WED SC 576 Science Teaching: Pre-Practicum (2 units)
• WED CT 534 A Practical Approach to Classroom Management (2 units)
• WED SE 510 Special Education: Curriculum and Instruction (2 units)

Practicum (choose one): (8 Units)

• WED SC 509 Student-Teaching Practicum: Science, Grades 5–8 (8 units)
• WED SC 510 Student-Teaching Practicum: Science, Grades 8–12 (8 units)