Online BA in Learning and Education Studies
Use your passion for education to support growth in others
YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.
At a Glance
The online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a major in Learning and Education Studies is a fully online program designed to help you thrive in a high-demand field. Tailored for students who are at least 25 years old or five years post-high school or GED, and who have completed a minimum of 60 college credit hours, this non-licensure program empowers you to finish your degree and launch a meaningful career in PK–12 education.
Guided by expert instructors with real-world experience, the Learning and Education Studies program equips you with practical leadership strategies and a deep understanding of education, instruction, and diverse learning environments.
100% Online
Time to Complete:
12+ Months
Credit Hours:
30+
Time Commitment:
10 to 20 Hours Weekly
start dates
Fall, Spring, Summer
cost
The Learning and Education Studies bachelor’s degree delivers a strong return on investment, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to advance confidently in your management career.
This degree completion program requires 120 credit hours, and you can transfer 60 to 90 of those hours from other accredited institutions, making it easier to finish what you started.
Tuition and fees range from $15,450 to $30,900 ($515 per credit hour), based on the number of transfer credits. Books and additional materials are not included.
YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.
About the BA in Learning and Education Studies
With teacher shortages continuing across Oklahoma and the nation, the need for skilled educators who are passionate about student success has never been greater. The online BA in Learning and Education Studies is a 30 to 60-credit-hour non-licensure degree completion program built for working adults who want to pursue careers in PK–12 education. If you have already earned at least 60 college credit hours, you can complete your bachelor’s degree quickly and efficiently.
Offered through the OU College of Professional and Continuing Studies in collaboration with the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, this program prepares you to step into essential roles in PK–12 school environments, where professionals who support student learning and development are in high demand.
Graduates of this non-licensure program can pursue alternative certification through the State of Oklahoma, which requires completion of additional state-mandated coursework.
What Can You Do with a BA in Learning and Education Studies?
Earning your online BA in Learning and Education Studies from the University of Oklahoma positions you for career growth across a variety of impactful roles. This degree helps you accelerate your path in areas such as:
- Paraprofessional in classrooms
- School resources officer
- Student support services positions
- Classroom teacher (with alternative certification)
- Administrative and front office support
- Child growth and development roles, including youth camps and after-school programs
Industry Insights
- Median Pay: $62,310 to $64,580
- Job Outlook: Employment for K–12 teacher positions is projected to decline by 1% through 2033
- Job Openings: An estimated 41,400 to 106,500 K–12 teaching positions are expected to open each year over the next decade
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Program Outcomes: What You’ll Learn to Lead, Inspire, and Make an Impact
OU’s online BA in Learning and Education Studies stands out for its career flexibility and real-world relevance. You will graduate with both theoretical insight and practical tools that empower you to grow in your chosen educational setting. As you deepen your understanding of instruction, learning environments, and the broader purpose of education, you will also enhance your ability to support student success. Best of all, you can immediately apply what you learn to your current role in education.
Through this program, you will:
- Describe how beliefs and values shape the educational experience
- Analyze how social and political movements influence schooling
- Develop a critical awareness of how culture and education intersect in teaching and learning
- Articulate the purpose of education and its connection to socio-cultural experiences
- Apply knowledge of development and motivation to promote learning for all students
- Evaluate instructional models and research-based practices for their impact on student outcomes
- Design learning experiences using a variety of instructional approaches
- Set meaningful goals for student learning based on standards, objectives, and student needs
- Create inclusive learning experiences and assessments that respond to diverse student populations
Course Details
The BA in Learning and Education Studies builds a strong foundation in leadership, communication, and digital literacy, all essential for today’s educational landscape. You’ll gain practical skills and modern strategies rooted in current educational practices, giving you a well-rounded understanding of teaching, learning, and student engagement. Students will work with their advisor to choose additional courses if more than 30 credit hours of coursework are needed to complete their degree.
Effective Communication
Credit Hours: 3
Students will enhance their interpersonal and professional communication skills in this course. Special attention is paid to recognizing the role of listening in communication, in addition to enhancing verbal, nonverbal, written, and presentation skills. Throughout the course, students will apply these concepts to real-world situations and reflect on the impact of communication on their personal and professional lives.
Critical Inquiry in Interdisciplinary Studies
Credit Hours: 3
This course requires students to locate, critique, and integrate literature/concepts to demonstrate their understanding of the foundational principles of interdisciplinary studies and their primary area of concentration. During the course, students will complete a series of assignments that will be used in the development of a comprehensive ePortfolio in the program practicum course.
Portfolio in Interdisciplinary Studies
Credit Hours: 3
The practicum course for the Interdisciplinary Studies program requires students to create a comprehensive ePortfolio, which showcases their key learnings about effective communication, digital literacy, data analysis, innovative problem-solving, and their primary area of concentration.
Development, Motivation, and Learning
Credit Hours: 3
The course will examine our current understanding of various psychological processes and their relevance to teaching and learning in school settings. In other words, we'll be learning about psychology research, or how and why people think, feel, and behave, and how it relates to how adults working in education settings can most effectively engage their students.
Scaffolded Instruction for All Learners
Credit Hours: 3
Students will develop an understanding of student characteristics and prior learning histories to implement scaffolded instruction in real-life settings among a wide range of learners and learning communities. Students will learn how to become keen observers and will acquire proficiency in selecting materials that will provide useful information to guide the design, implementation, and assessment appropriate for the learning community.
Digital Literacy & Data Analysis
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to increase students' knowledge and application of digital and quantitative data literacy. Students will also be introduced to principles of ethical decision-making. Using applied activities and analyses, students will learn how to utilize these skills in the real world and the workplace.
Innovative Problem-Solving
Credit Hours: 3
This course is intended to empower students to think clearly and analytically about information and beliefs. Students will be prepared to recognize bias and common fallacies in reasoning and evaluate informational resources. An introduction to innovative thinking and creative decision-making will help position students to tackle problem-solving at the personal, academic, and career levels.
Introduction to Education
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to critically explore, question, and discuss issues in education. Questions to be explored include the following: What are teaching and learning? What are the relationships between the student, the school, and society? Emphasis will be reflective of learning as an active, contextualized act of creativity that involves the construction of and reflection on knowledge.
Learning Environments for Diverse Learners
Credit Hours: 3
There are two main purposes for this course. The first is to help students develop a better understanding of different cultures and the challenges and benefits of cultural diversity as it relates to educational contexts. The second is to provide students with background knowledge, understanding, and techniques to work effectively with learners from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Introduction to Instruction
Credit Hours: 3
This course will introduce students to teaching and instructional models with attention to alignment of instruction to educational objectives. Students will analyze basic and advanced models of instruction and associated teaching strategies for effectiveness in various educational settings. Finally, students will examine instructional models through case study analysis and then apply their knowledge in the construction of a plan for instruction and accompanying reflection.
Why Choose OU Online: A Smarter Path to Your BA in Learning and Education Studies
OU Online delivers high-quality, affordable undergraduate and graduate programs in a flexible, fully online format—backed by the reputation of a top-tier public university. Courses are led by seasoned instructors with real-world experience in PK–12 education, giving you practical insight into the challenges educators face and the strategies that drive real solutions.
Faculty Expertise
The Learning and Education Studies bachelor’s degree is built on the foundation of world-class University of Oklahoma faculty, mixed with professors of practice providing valuable instruction. By linking industry experts with our online programs, we offer the most advanced curriculum and prepare students for future career success.
Robust Student Support
OU Online offers robust student support services, including academic support, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and an online career development center. The program accommodates the needs of working professionals, allowing you to expand your career possibilities while maintaining full-time employment.
Global Alumni Network
With more than 250,000 alumni across the world, becoming a Sooner means you’ll have access to a strong network of education professionals to accelerate your career. As a Sooner, you’ll be part of a powerful network of leaders working in organizations across the world, helping you expand your career potential.
Still have questions?
Our FAQ provides answers to questions about what to expect, how to apply, and where this degree can take you.
Flexible Format
The BA in Learning and Education Studies is delivered in a fully online, flexible format designed to meet the needs of working professionals worldwide. Earn your degree in as little as 12 months while balancing full-time employment and other commitments. Study from anywhere while gaining the skills you need to advance your career.
Tailored Experience
Progress through the program as part of a focused cohort of professionals who share similar goals and interests in advancing their careers in PK-12 education. Courses consist of asynchronous online sessions for flexibility, while remaining highly engaging.
Cost & Financial Aid
Earning your BA in Learning and Education Studies is a powerful investment in your future—and OU Online is committed to keeping that investment accessible and transparent.
Tuition is $515 per credit hour, with total program costs ranging from $15,450 to $30,900, depending on the number of transfer credits. Books and additional materials are not included.
Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Our dedicated financial services team will guide you through every step of the funding process, so you can stay focused on your education and career goals.
For questions about financial aid, contact the Online Aid office at onlineaid@ou.edu or call 405-325-2929.
A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester’s tuition.
* Please be aware that tuition and fees may change, as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
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YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.
