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Educational Policy and Practice

Undergraduate

The Nexus in Educational Policy and Practice is intended to provide you with an opportunity to conduct a cross-disciplinary exploration of an education-related topic.

Program Overview

The multidisciplinary nature of the Nexus offers varied perspectives on contemporary contexts and historical moments that shape and define knowledge, behavior, structures, organizations, and policies both in and out of educational settings. Examples of these varied perspectives include Education: Policy and Politics; Philosophy and the Child; International Education; Women, Leadership and Higher Education; Education, Health, and Sports Pedagogy; Education and the Arts; Environmental Education.

Community Voices

Stories from Educational Policy and Practice students and alums

Marley Berano, class of 2025

Student athlete finds her next court

Marley Berano ’25

she/her

Ansley Keane ’23

Gaining confidence to pursue opportunities like learning a new language and doing an independent study

Ansley Keane ’23

she/her

Pink blooms on campus

From college, back to high school: Comentarios de una maestra de español

Emily McClintock ’14 Spanish Language Teacher

EXPLORE MORE STORIES

Courses and Requirements

Requirements for the Nexus

A minimum of 18 credits:

Four courses chosen from the list of courses approved for this Nexus or selected with approval of the track chair16
At least one course at the 300 level
At least one course at the 200 level or above
One course at the 100 level or above 1
A substantive summer internship 2
COLL-211Reflecting Back: Connecting Internship and Research to Your Liberal Arts Education2
A presentation at LEAP Symposium
Total Credits18
1

Only one course at the 100 level is permitted to count toward the Nexus.

2

The summer internship must meet College requirements for a substantial educational experience: At least 200 work hours and responsibilities that exercise ability to think analytically and creatively, and contribute meaningfully to the organization’s stated mission and complements the student's area of focus.

Additional Specifications

  • Nexus students will develop a brief proposal outlining their specific area of focus including a course outline. Students will schedule an advising meeting with a track chair to get approval and complete an online Plan of Study form to be returned to the Nexus Program office.

  • The sequence of a Nexus is part of what makes it unique:

    • In preparation for the summer internship or research, students complete courses chosen in consultation with the track chair. If seeking funding through LYNK UAF, students will additionally complete orientation and advising, and online training.

    • COLL-211 is taken after the internship or research project and culminates in a presentation at LEAP Symposium.

Selection of Courses Counting toward the Nexus

Courses other than those listed below may count toward the Nexus. Students should consult the Nexus track chair for consideration of courses not on the list.

College(Interdeptmnt) Courses
COLL-211Reflecting Back: Connecting Internship and Research to Your Liberal Arts Education2
Education
EDUC-205Social Justice in Education4
EDUC-220Foundations of Multicultural Education4
EDUC-233Educational Psychology4
EDUC-267Children's Literature for Educators4
Educational Studies
EDUST-339EPSeminar in Educational Studies: 'Educational Policy'4
EDUST-351LGSeminar in Developmental Psychology: 'Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood'4
Entrepreneurship, Orgs & Soc
EOS-299NDTopic: 'Individuals and Organizations'4
EOS-349MVTopic: 'Motivation'4
Psychology
PSYCH-213Psychology of Racism4
PSYCH-230Developmental Psychology4
PSYCH-233Educational Psychology4
PSYCH-331Laboratory in Early Childhood Learning and Development4

Contact Us

The Nexus Program

The Nexus Program allows students to create an individual program of study combined with an internship experience in one of nine pre-professional tracks. College 211 and the annual LEAP symposium are components of the Nexus program.

Katie Walker

Katie Walker

  • Associate Director of Nexus Program

Next Steps

Apply to Mount Holyoke

Mount Holyoke seeks intellectually curious applicants who understand the value of a liberal arts education and are driven by a love of learning. As a women's college that is gender diverse, we welcome applications from female, trans and non-binary students.

Start Your Application

Financing your education

Everyone’s financial situation is unique, and we’re here to make sure cost does not get in the way of an exceptional education.

Affording Mount Holyoke Tuition and Fees