Description | Skills | Experience | Sample Careers/Work Settings | Salary
Double Majors/Minors | Advanced Degrees | NCSU Orgs | Prof. Orgs | Links | Next Steps

Description of Major

The Education, General Studies Program is intended for students with a strong interest in fields of education that do not require formal certification such as juvenile homes, day care, and other public and private agencies. An additional program emphasis serves those students previously enrolled in teacher education programs at North Carolina State University whose career goals have changed.

Students graduating from this program will earn a B.S. degree in Education, General Studies. Coursework mirrors that of other education programs and includes preparation in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Education, Natural Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Foreign Language.

The Education,General Studies major prepares students for a variety of possible careers in a variety of settings. Students in this major prepare themselves most effectively for employment after graduation by participating in related work experience and developing communication and leadership skills through their courses, internships and summer work, and student activities.

Courses include:

School and Society, Educational Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Community Relations, Sociology of Education, Race and Ethic Relations, Learning and Motivation, Cognitive Processes, Alternative Educational Agencies, Sociology of Education.

The Undergraduate Catalog shows a listing of Educaton, General Studies courses, and the degree audit shows the curricula requirements for this major. If you are interested in expanding your career options, consider double-majoring and/or adding a minor.

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Skills You Develop In This Major

• Instructing
• Planning
• Directing
• Critical Thinking
• Communication
• Organizing and coordinating
• Interpreting
• Analyzing
• Explaining
• Patience, flexibility, and creativity

Gaining Career-Related Experience

You are strongly encouraged to gain career-related experience prior to graduation in the form of an internship, summer job, or co-op. Though course credit is not available for this experience through the College of Education, you may or may not expect compensation from the employer.

Co-op is a program of alternating semesters of work and school. Paid work terms of increasing responsibility enable students to graduate with the minimum equivalent of one year of relevant work experience. Full-time enrollment during the semester prior to the first work term is required. You can begin co-op after completion of at least two semesters (30 credit hours) at NC State (one semester for transfers and graduate students). An NC State transcript must show grades and admission to a degree program. A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 (3.00 for graduate students) is required. The Co-op Office web site lists the Orientation Schedule, which is the first step to program participation.

Internships are typically full-time during the summer or (for some) part-time during the semester. You can start interning or seeking summer jobs related to your field, whenever you are ready. The University Career Center provides services to help you get started.

Participate in ePack, the Career Center's on-line system that connects employees with students through internship postings, on-campus interviews, information sessions, and resume searches. You may activate your ePack account at any time.

Internship Example

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Sample Career Titles and Possible Work Settings

The following lists provide a brief sampling of the kind of jobs and work environments you might find with a degree in this major. These titles and work settings are by no means an exhaustive listing. Because the world of work is always changing, over time job titles and work settings can change. The below listing is provided in hopes of giving you initial insight into a particular career field that would employ the skills and knowledge gained through this major.

Sample Career Titles	Sample Work Settings
Property manager	Hospital complex
Public relations specialist	Museum
Program assistant	Community agency
Correctional officer	Correctional facility
Group home worker	Group home for special needs clients
Buyer or manager	Retail store

Careers Needing Advanced Degrees

• Hospital administrator
• Counselor
• Director of Social Service Agency

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Salary

Baccalaureate - $ not available; depends upon type of position
From

The salary listed above is an average starting salary based on skills and experiences gained at the Bachelors level. Keep in mind that salary level typically increases with additional experience and/or educational degrees.

Furthermore, you may have the opportunity to mold an entry-level position into your dream job and subsequently increase your salary as you learn more, add responsibilities and gain experience.

NC State Related Organizations & Clubs

NC State Registered Student Organizations
This links to add NC State campus clubs and organization. Some specific organizations that may be of interest are listed below.

Entrepreneurs Club
Faculty Adviser: Gary Palin, 515.6957, garypalin@ncsu.edu

March of Dimes Collegiate Council
Student President: Allison Hauser, 832.9156, modccNCSu@hotmail.com

Society for Human Resource Management
Faculty Adviser: Shannon Davis, 515.3349, shannon_davis@ncsu.edu

Student Mentor Association
Faculty Adviser: Stacia Solomon, 515.3835, stacia_solomon@ncsu.edu

Student North Carolina Association of Educators
Faculty Adviser: JoAnn Robinson, 515.5519, joann_robinson@ncsu.edu

Professional Resources (Outside NC State)

These resources include organizations, clubs, and conferences not affiliated with NC State and can be an important part of your career pursuit.

• National Education Association
• NC Counseling Association

Links to Related Resources

• University Career Center
• For more specific information on occupation/job skills, expectations, and salary, go to the Occupational Information Network site and search for a specific job. (hint: for salary info, select a report on one of the jobs and find the wages link at the bottom of the page.)
• The list of available Minors at NC State.
• Experimental Courses Listing (a.k.a. Special Topics)
• Department of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education
• College of Education
• Cooperative Education Program
  

Next Steps

Need more information about this major? Contact the expert on this major,
Coordinator of Advising.

Don't want this major? Continue exploring the available majors.
Still unsure of your major and/or not sure what to do next?
You know you want this major. What do you need to do now?

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Last updated: 8th of September, 2009 at 10:40:03 AM

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