--- title: Dordt University expands education offerings with Education Studies program date: 2026-01-30T13:00:00-06:00 author: Jennifer Vermeer canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-university-expands-education-offerings-with-education-studies-program" section: News --- [ View Dordt News](https://www.dordt.edu/news) [Academics](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=academics) [Education](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=education) Jan 30, 2026 # Dordt University expands education offerings with Education Studies program With the new Education Studies program, Dordt University expands opportunities for students pursuing careers in education and community engagement. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/20250206-_DSC2542.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=66&h=57&f=webp&c=a5907b1d&v=cd1736e8128074353680870caf3ef2e20cf24f2b1e9b7e360890a93c162a2de4) ![]()Dordt University’s Education department has introduced a new [Education Studies](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/education-studies-ba) program, expanding the pathways available to students interested in education-related careers. The program is designed to equip students with practical skills and foundational knowledge for diverse roles in educational and community settings. According to Dr. [Dave Mulder](https://www.dordt.edu/people/david-mulder), chair of the Education department at Dordt, the new program reflects Dordt’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful service in a wide range of educational settings. “There are a growing number of roles in education that do not require a four-year degree culminating in a teaching license,” he says. “Our hope is that offering a non-licensure pathway in Education Studies can offer more options for students who are interested in learning about education but are not intending to serve as classroom teachers.” In addition to Dordt’s [thriving education major](https://www.dordt.edu/news/thriving-in-the-field) that culminates in preparation for licensure, the Education Studies program will offer students three distinct non-licensure pathways: a [major](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/education-studies-ba), [minor](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/education-studies-ba/education-studies-minor), and [AA degree](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/education-studies-ba/education-studies-aa). ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/2022-09-08_000811.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=57&h=65&c=5ab3fa19&v=230cc618d3cbcb8fd4aaf5757b22e95221483acd6ee9f02f89be409d3a6be0ee) While, in part, the program aims to replace the para-educator AA program offered at Dordt, the Education Studies program will meet the needs of students looking to gain a deeper understanding of education best practices for a variety of fields. “A degree in Education Studies is excellent preparation for people interested in youth ministry, school social work, juvenile justice, environmental education, and other non-traditional education settings, such as museums and interpretive centers,” Mulder explains. “It is also great preparation for graduate programs in educational fields, such as speech and language pathology, or library and information science.” “Having a strong background in learning theory, human development, teaching methods, and curriculum design can be an asset for anyone interested in pursuing these kinds of fields,” Mulder adds. Learn more about all of Dordt’s education programs at [dordt.edu/academics/programs/education-ba](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/education-ba). --- **About Dordt University** As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review. --- [Previous Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/DSC4295-1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=9af6f67d&v=a647f8155ccc38f4e02b168e9d55cb66c24c0ed880ab332a7cfec5b3f87ef148) Academics Feb 02, 2026 ## Dordt University bucks “brain drain,” sending more graduates into Iowa’s workforce Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-university-bucks-brain-drain-sending-more-graduates-into-iowas-workforce) [Next Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/smies-3.jpg?mode=crop&pos=0.6116-0.5675&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=8c93d8f0&v=28bfdcab7fe2e3af1812a4599c577efbc63a4cee6373d2079e400922b8ef0cdc) Education Research and Scholarship Jan 28, 2026 ## Dordt Noyce scholar to present at American Chemical Society conference this spring Noyce scholar Ada Smies will present her summer STEM education research at the 2026 American Chemical Society (ACS) conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-noyce-scholar-to-present-at-american-chemical-society-conference-this-spring) [ ![]() ## View All Dordt News View News ](https://www.dordt.edu/news) Aug 19 General #### [International Student Orientation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/international-student-orientation-2026-08-19) Aug 20 General #### [International Student Orientation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/international-student-orientation-2026-08-20) Aug 20 Athletics Men's Soccer #### [8/20 8:00 PM Dordt University Men's Soccer at Carroll - Nelson Stadium ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/8-22-100-pm-dordt-university-mens-soccer-at-carroll) ![A picture of campus behind yellow prairie flowers](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2021-22/Buildings-and-Campus/2021-09-23_001574-1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=50&h=50&f=webp&c=3d670641&v=d2bdb7cbdc83e5be46d3a10afe8a1214a0e770536697eb0ddbe29e017d2e9577) <![CDATA[YII-BLOCK-BODY-END]]>