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.

By submitting this form, I consent to the University of Oklahoma (OU) and its agents contacting me about educational opportunities via automated calls, text messages, and/or email at the number and email provided. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not required to attend the OU or to receive information by other means. For details on how OU collects and protects your information, review the Privacy Policy.

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.

By submitting this form, l consent to the University of Oklahoma (OU) and its agents contacting me about educational opportunities via automated calls, text messages, and/or email at the number and email provided. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not required to attend the OU or to receive information by other means. For details on how OU collects and protects your information, review the Privacy Policy.

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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.

Students who are committed to the field of education and developing a deep understanding of supporting student learning are the inspiration for what I do. I will never grow tired of working alongside those who seek to empower themselves and others through igniting curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge.

Kelly Feille

Program Director

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.

Take the Next Step

To apply to the online BA in Learning and Education Studies program, you must meet the following criteria: Be at least 25 years old or five years post high school graduation or GED by the first day of class Have completed a minimum of 60 college credit hours Hold a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on prior college coursework These requirements ensure you're ready to succeed in a program designed for driven, goal-oriented adult learners.

Application Timeline

The admissions committee follows a rolling admissions process, reviewing applications as they are received. While admissions may remain open until two weeks before classes begin, some programs may set earlier deadlines. Once your application is complete, the committee typically responds within two weeks—so you can plan your next steps without delay.

Step 1

Contact an Enrollment Coach to discuss your qualifications and interest in the program.

Step 2

Complete the online application.

Step 3

Provide undergraduate transcripts from all prior institutions.