Shape the Future for Children, Youth, and Families
Learn to transform systems that create equitable outcomes for children and families. As an undergraduate at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, you’ll enroll in the undergraduate major, the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Education & Human Development.
The bachelor’s degree in education and human development program combines coursework and field-based experiences in education, human development, psychology, and the social sciences, and opens doors to future opportunities such as undergraduate research, teacher licensure, and diverse careers. In your junior year, you’ll choose one of five specializations: Teaching & Learning; Child & Adolescent Mental Health; Deaf Studies; Educational Design for Transformative Futures; or Youth Development & Justice.
Program Features
Specializations
Choose from a range of specializations to tailor your BS in Education & Human Development to your interests and career goals. Whichever specialization you choose, you’ll gain focused expertise while gaining the broad foundation and hands-on experience needed to make a meaningful impact on children, youth, families, and communities. You’ll select your specialization at the start of your junior year.
For those interested in careers that involve children, youths, and emerging adults. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of child and adolescent emotional and behavioral health, and will study mental health/illness, biological, psychological, and social factors that affect young people’s well-being, and professional ethics.
For those interested in working with Deaf people across a range of careers including education, interpreting, research, social work, medicine, law, and more. Through coursework and field-based experiences, you will engage with Deaf communities, develop an appreciation for Deaf culture, and gain an understanding of the histories of Deaf communities around the world. You’ll also build fluency in American Sign Language (ASL).
For undergraduate students who are interested in becoming creative, innovative educational designers who collaborate with communities, families, youths, and educators to transform education across a range of settings. You’ll learn to integrate critical theory, collaborate with others on design-centered research projects, and have access to community and field apprenticeships.
For students who are interested in developing an understanding of the processes of teaching and learning with a focus on children and youths, the contexts where those processes occur, and the role that education can play in creating and supporting equity in society. Recommended for students interested in pursuing a teaching license in early childhood education, elementary education, or special education at the graduate level, as well as careers in humanities and STEM education in community-based educational settings.
For students who are passionate about work for and with young people through jobs in fields such as law, policy, politics, education, after-school time, recreation and sports. You will be prepared as a professional and a leader who has a firm grounding in adolescent development and is ready to work for and with youth in a wide range of settings.
Pathways to Licensure and Graduate Study
The BS in Education & Human Development prepares students for meaningful careers in education and human development. After completing this program, you’ll be prepared pursue teacher licensure or continue into graduate study, building on your undergraduate experience to create positive change for children, families, and communities.
Planning to continue your education after your bachelor’s degree? You can build a pathway to graduate study at BU Wheelock, including teacher preparation programs at the elementary or secondary level that lead to licensure. If you’re interested in becoming a licensed teacher or pursuing licensure in school or mental health counseling, talk with your academic advisor early to explore your options and choose a related specialization by your junior year.
Students in the BS in Education & Human Development may be eligible for preferred admission into one of our several master’s degree licensure programs and bachelor’s-to-master’s sequential degrees.
Research
Get involved in research from the start of your undergraduate experience. Through Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), student research opportunities, and BU Wheelock’s research centers, institutes, and labs, you can explore your interests, work alongside faculty, and contribute to research that makes a difference for children, youth, families, and communities.
Minors
Explore something new—or go deeper into an area you love. With 10 minors to choose from, BU students can complement their major, build new skills, and tailor their undergraduate experience to their interests and goals.
I chose BU Wheelock because I was looking for a program that blended academic rigor with real-world impact—and that’s exactly what I found here. From day one, it was clear that the faculty weren’t just educators—they were mentors, advocates, and professionals deeply embedded in the work I hope to do one day.
What You’ll Learn As a BU Wheelock Undergrad
- Study complex real-world challenges such as systemic racism or global interconnectedness
- Discover and understand your role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Explore field-based experiences in settings such as schools, hospitals, and mental health agencies
- Engage in research for community impact in a Boston-based health organization, neighborhood, museum, or other community organization
- Create systemic, positive change through innovation and research
- Obtain professional training and preparation across psychology, education, and human development
Career Outcomes
As an Education & Human Development major, you’ll be introduced to a range of potential careers, including those as e
- Educator
- Mental health counselor
- Youth justice advocates
- Deaf education support specialists
- Child policy analysts and researchers
- Educational designer
- Social entrepreneur
Professor Willie Rodriguez is a senior lecturer and faculty member in the Youth Development & Justice specialization of the bachelor’s degree program at BU Wheelock. He teaches youth justice, juvenile law, advocacy, and positive youth development, connecting classroom concepts to his real-world experience working with young people.
Passionate about human rights, educational equity, inclusion, and criminal justice reform, Professor Rodriguez encourages students to think critically about social justice issues and see themselves as advocates who can create meaningful change.
Education & Human Development Courses
As a Boston University student majoring in the BS in Education & Human Development, you’ll take core and signature courses, and fulfill your BU Hub requirements to complete the 128-unit Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Development. At the start of your junior year, you’ll select one of the five specializations: Teaching & Learning; Child & Adolescent Mental Health; Deaf Studies; Educational Design for Transformative Futures; or Youth Development & Justice.
Core and signature courses include:
- An Interdisciplinary Approach to Professions in Education & Human Development
- Language Development in Education and Society
- Social Science Research for Community Impact
- Introduction to the Deaf World
- Introduction to Justice Based Education
I picked BU Wheelock because of its amazing community and unique educational programs. I loved my undergrad experience so much that I chose to return to BU Wheelock for my master’s degree. The faculty and staff are truly inspiring and supportive of the students. The program allows students to explore themselves as individuals but also as learners. BU Wheelock really set us up to be successful.
Learn More about the Education & Human Development Program
Connect with Boston University to learn more about the undergraduate admissions. Learn about application requirements and deadlines, sign up for an information session, or start your application today. For questions about undergraduate academics and student life, reach out to BU Wheelock’s Student Services Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
The BS in Education & Human Development combines education, human development, psychology, and social sciences with hands-on, field-based experiences. The program prepares students to understand and address complex challenges affecting children, youth, families, and communities.
After completing core and signature courses in your first two years, you’ll choose one of five specializations: Child & Adolescent Mental Health, Deaf Studies, Educational Design for Transformative Social Futures, Teaching & Learning, or Youth Development & Justice. Each specialization includes focused coursework and field-based experiences aligned with different career and academic interests.
Students gain practical experience through field-based learning, community-based research, internships, and opportunities in settings such as schools, hospitals, mental health agencies, museums, and community organizations. These experiences allow students to connect classroom learning with real-world challenges.
The degree can prepare you for diverse careers working with children, youth, families, and communities across education, mental health, healthcare, social services, policy, research, and other fields. Students can also pursue graduate study or continue into BU Wheelock’s teacher preparation programs for pathways to licensure.
BU Wheelock emphasizes research, innovation, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Students explore complex social issues, develop professional skills across education and human development, and apply their learning through research and community-based experiences designed to create positive impact.
Background Checks
Students who are admitted into BU Wheelock routinely participate in field experiences as a part of their respective program curriculum and requirements. Most field sites require criminal background checks to determine students’ eligibility for participation. History of a criminal background may disqualify students from participating in these required experiences, which in turn may impede the successful completion of one’s degree program.