BES in Educational Studies

Degree Program Description

The Bachelor of Educational Studies (BES) is for students with interests in the scientific and scholarly study of education and/or education-related careers in non-school settings. Specific areas of interest may include learning theory, technology in education (including game design), educational and community leadership, organizational change, and policy. BES coursework provides a foundation in educational theory, research, and practice that engage students in settings where they can influence change (e.g., schools; international contexts; student affairs; churches; sports, non-profit, and private organizations). The College of Education & Human Development will not recommend certification to teach in the public schools on the basis of this degree. The Bachelor of Educational Studies may be completed on campus or online. Students interested in this degree on campus may complete an individualized major course of study developed with an advisor from the office of Advising Services. 

Major Program Requirements

Candidates for the BES degree must complete a total of at least 120 semester hours of college credit applicable to the Bachelor of Educational Studies degree. 

The remaining degree program graduation requirements are as follows:

  1. The candidate for the Bachelor of Educational Studies degree must meet the general education requirements of MU.
  2. The candidate must complete at least 24 semester hours of course work offered by the College of Education & Human Development in accordance with the candidate’s educational and career objectives.
  3. The candidate must complete at least one area of concentration totaling 24 or more semester hours (exclusive of 2 above) in accordance with the candidate’s educational and career objectives.
  4. The candidate must earn no less than a 2.00 GPA, as defined by the GPA of Record.
  5. The candidate must meet the residence requirement of MU.
  6. Candidates shall have a professional practicum or field experience for academic credit appropriate to their degree program.  This credit shall be for a minimum of 2 credit hours.  The instructor of record for this experience will be a faculty member within the College of Education & Human Development.
  7. The candidate must be recommended for the degree by the faculty of the College of Education & Human Development.
  8. At 60 credit hours of completed coursework, students will be required to complete a Graduation Plan that will serve as a preliminary graduation check.

Semester Plan

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGLSH 10003General Education Math Requirement3
Humanities3Biological, Physical, Mathematical Science3
Social or Behavioral Science3American History or Government3
Professional Education Course 3Humanities3
Elective3Professional Education Course3
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Biological, Physical, Mathematical Science3Biological, Physical, Mathematical Science w/Lab3
Humanities3Writing Intensive Course3
Social or Behavioral Science3Professional Education Course3
Professional Education Course3Content Area Course3
Content Area Course3Elective3
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Professional Education Course3Writing Intensive Course 3000-4000 Level3
Content Area Course3Professional Education Course3
Content Area Course3Content Area Course3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Professional Education Course3ED_LPA 49753
Content Area Course3Content Area Course3
Content Area Course3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Total Credits: 120

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major. 

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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