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A Rare Undergraduate Opportunity
Belmont University offers one of the few undergraduate Education Policy programs in the nation, which provides a non-licensure approach to education. This distinctive degree prepares you to become a changemaker in the education sector from day one of your college career.
From the Classroom to the Capitol
At Belmont, Education Policy majors study the systems, politics and communities that shape education, then step into internships and international experiences that put that thinking into practice. It's one of the few undergraduate programs of its kind in the nation, a non-licensure path for students who want to focus on advocacy in education systems.
Belmont's program pairs required coursework in education with sociology, political science and business, so you learn how policy decisions move through schools and communities. You'll complete a minor in a field you choose, an education-focused internship and an international experience, whether that's a summer course, a semester abroad, a Maymester or work with international communities in Nashville.
Whether you're headed to law school, a graduate program in educational leadership, a teacher licensure program or straight into policy or advocacy work, Education Policy gives you the foundation to lead change instead of just studying it.
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Who This Is For?
- Future policy advocates, researchers or consultants who want to work on education systems rather than in a single classroom
- Future teachers who want to explore the field of education before committing to a licensure program
- Pre-law students interested in educational law or policy
- Future school counselors, academic advisors or student services professionals
- Students planning graduate study in educational leadership, social sciences or law
A Front-Row Seat to Education Policy in Action
Nashville puts you close to where education policy actually gets made. The city is home to Metro Nashville Public Schools, the Tennessee Department of Education and policy organizations like the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), giving Education Policy majors real internship and networking access most undergraduate programs can't offer.
What Makes Belmont Education Policy Different
Belmont is one of the few universities in the nation offering an undergraduate Education Policy degree, an interdisciplinary, non-licensure path built for students who want to shape education systems rather than teach in a single classroom. Required coursework spans education, sociology, political science and business, and every student completes an internship and an international experience before graduating. The degree is also an ideal foundation for graduate study in law, educational leadership or education.
Choose Your Path After Graduation
Standard path: Complete your B.A. or B.S. in Education Policy in four years, with a required minor, internship and international experience, ready for graduate school or a career in policy, advocacy or an education-adjacent field.
4+1 accelerated path: Add Belmont's Master of Arts in Teaching to your degree plan and graduate in five years with both a master's degree and initial teaching licensure.
Voices of Experience
Juan Jose Escamilla Vaargas
Hometown: Nashville, TN
“My gravitation towards the education policy major was how diverse the disciplines of the major are. It covers so many areas of education that are important and for someone who wants to teach, this major felt like the best way to set myself up for success in the education field, both in and outside the classroom. My experience within the major and college of education has been amazing. The professors' expertise in the education world, alongside their diverse skillset, ensures that the students have amazing resources for all areas of education. The professors of the college of education care about the student, making themselves available. This intentional love connects all of the students together, and the culture that builds from their actions truly makes the college of education feel like home.”
Grenier Gumerson
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Government Relations Intern, State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE)
“This program is preparing me to be a strong leader with a deep understanding of my values. many of my peers are using the Ed Policy program to get a plus one masters program, and still be able to work as a teacher. I want to uplift the voices of those in the classroom, and use my public speaking skills and knowledge. Not only is it impactful, but I think policy is so interesting and might I say… fun!”
What You'll Study
Core Skills
- Analyze how policy decisions shape schools, students and communities
- Apply perspectives from education, sociology, political science and business to real education problems
- Advocate for systemic change in educational access, equity and outcomes
- Research and evaluate education policy and programs
- Communicate complex policy ideas to varied audiences
- Lead and collaborate across disciplines and sectors
Real-World Experience
- Complete a required education-focused internship
- Complete a required international experience, through a summer course, semester, Maymester or work with international communities
- Choose a minor to build a second area of expertise alongside your major
- Pursue Belmont's 4+1 Master of Arts in Teaching option to add a graduate degree and licensure in five years
- Get involved with Kappa Delta Pi, the Student Teacher Education Association, Best Buddies or Homework Hotline
Curious about your coursework? View requirements for this degree in the course catalog.
An international experience is required for all Education Policy majors. This requirement can be fulfilled through various options, including a summer course, a semester, a Maymester, or meaningful experiences working with international individuals, either locally or abroad. Major requirement courses may be completed through the international experience.
Master of Arts in Teaching 4+1
Students interested in earning a Master's degree can do so in our 4+1 program, allowing students to earn a Master's degree and initial teaching licensure in 5 years. The program offers a year-long internship experience across two diverse settings under the guidance of licensed experienced teachers. The intern program entails being school based during the day (following the school district’s schedule) and attending classes in the evening. The internship portion of the program runs from fall to spring only, and candidates must have completed the professional core courses before entering the internship part of the program. Education Policy majors will have the core requirements to earn the MAT and initial licensure.
Belmont Teacher Education candidates have many opportunities to practice their advocacy, leadership and teaching skills through participation in Belmont’s service-learning and volunteer opportunities as well as education department-specific opportunities.
Candidates should explore coaching, teaching and tutoring opportunities, as well as create their own opportunities as they engage in service in their new home community of Nashville.
Our community partners include area charter, independent and public schools, as well as nonprofit and for profit community agencies serving Nashville’s families. Belmont University requires all students to be engaged in community and service-learning opportunities but it is not uncommon for teacher education candidates to go beyond the required hours and in a number of opportunities take leadership roles.
Below are some of the opportunities in which our candidates engage:
Belmont’s Service-Learning and Volunteer Opportunities
Through Get Connected, Belmont’s online volunteer service directory, our candidates can connect with more than 70 area organizations where they can connect and serve. Our teacher candidates take seriously the opportunity to serve the greater-Nashville community and volunteer in programs such as: English Language Tutors with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, athletic coaches with area middle schools, tutoring programs with the YMCA, Martha O’Bryan Center and area faith-based programs.
Best Buddies©
BESTBUDDIES® builds one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), through school and community friendship programs that provide socialization opportunities to help erase the invisible line that often separates students or adults with and without IDD. Best Buddies at Belmont is an active student organization where Belmont students and community members with IDD become friends and hang out together with the focus on reducing barriers and building inclusive communities focused on strengths and relationships.
Homework Hotline
Homework Hotline is the largest provider of tutoring in Tennessee, the only service available by phone, and the only program that provides tutoring in six languages. Belmont University candidates serve as a volunteer satellite of Homework Hotline, housed on the Belmont campus. In this way, Belmont University students practice teaching techniques while providing one-on-one tutoring to at-risk children.
Kappa Delta Pi National Education Society
Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), International Honor Society in Education, fosters excellence in education and promotes fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. Belmont’s Nu Phi Chapter is additionally, concerned with assisting the community and has been involved with food drives, raising funds for local literacy programs, as well as helping with Homework Hotline.
Student Teacher Education Association
Through its affiliation with the Tennessee Education Association (TEA) and the National Education Association (NEA), our student program leads tomorrow's teachers to a bright professional future. STEA exists to help our members move smoothly from student on campus to beginning teacher. This is achieved through a variety of avenues including organization meetings with speakers who highlight opportunities at Belmont and beyond to broaden understanding of what it means to be an educator, discussion of issues and trends in education, conference attendance for members to network and develop professionally, and a focus on service to communities and families. STEA is proud to work with Belmont University for Annual Family Literacy Day each spring by forming a reading circle where we read aloud books around a theme with children from the community. We also collect canned goods for local food banks as well as school supplies for teachers and children in Nashville Public Schools. Each spring we also host a campus-wide Valentine’s Day Card-Making event for the children and families of the Ronald McDonald House and residents of local nursing homes. STEA provides all of the art supplies and the students provide the creativity for these amazing hand-made cards.
Create a BU4U account to apply, request information, and more! To apply for admission as a traditional freshman, traditional transfer, undergraduate non-degree seeking, or undergraduate Re-enroll student, please choose the Traditional Undergraduate Application.
Belmont University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Belmont University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Belmont’s Teacher Education Program is approved by the Tennessee Department of Education and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) legacy site visit of 2021.
The Belmont University School of Music is a fully-accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
The Watkins College of Art at Belmont University is an Accredited Institutional Member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
CAEP ANNUAL REPORTING MEASURES
The Belmont University College of Education prioritizes the use of data as part of its assessment and continuous improvement process. The below data provide summary of survey results, state data reports, and teacher candidate performance assessment data. Data are acquired from sources including the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE); Educational Testing Service (ETS); the Belmont Office of Career & Professional Development, and the Belmont Office of Assessment & Institutional. Data are linked to the reporting measures to assist prospective and current students, faculty, accrediting bodies, the public and researchers.
Please contact Dr. Cathy Eschete, Director of Clinical Practice and Accreditation Coordinator ( cathy.eschete@belmont.edu) before including any of this information in reports or research.
Career Possibilities
A Bachelor's in Education Policy prepares you for graduate school and for careers as an advocate, researcher, consultant or leader across education systems. Here's a sample of where the degree can take you.
- Educational & Social Policy Analyst: Research and shape policy decisions that affect schools, students and communities at the local, state or federal level.
- Educational Advocate: Represent the interests of students, families or schools within districts, nonprofits or government agencies.
- Educational Consultant: Advise schools, districts or organizations on program design, strategy or reform efforts.
- Educational Law: Pursue law school and a career representing schools, students or families in education-related legal matters.
- School Counselor or Academic Advisor: Support students' academic and personal growth, typically after graduate study in counseling.
- Educational Nonprofit or Community Outreach Leader: Lead programs that expand educational access and opportunity in Nashville and beyond.
- Instructional Designer or eLearning Specialist: Build curriculum, training and digital learning experiences for schools, universities or companies.
Learn from Expert Faculty
Sally Barton-Arwood
Email: sally.arwood@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 5028
Devin DeLaughter
Email: devin.delaughter@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 5033
Darcie Finch
Email: darcie.finch@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 5034
Joe Fitzgerald
Email: joe.fitzgerald@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 5019
Rachael Flynn
Email: rachael.flynn@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 5023
Jodi C. Green
Office Location: Ayers 5016
Annie Insana
Email: annie.insana@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 5034
Mona Ivey-Soto
Email: mona.iveysoto@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 5026
Lauren Lunsford
Email: lauren.lunsford@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2044
Emily Moses
Email: emily.moses@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 4104
Amanda Nelms
Email: amanda.nelms@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 5027
Jesse Wood
Belmont offers a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Education Policy, designed for students who want to become leaders and advocates in education.
No. Education Policy is a non-licensure pathway for students who want to study education systems, policy and leadership rather than pursue teacher certification at the undergraduate level.
Yes. You'll complete a minor in a field of your choice, so you can pair Education Policy with a second area of focus.
You'll complete both an education-focused internship and an international experience, applying what you learn in real-world and global settings.
You'll study education alongside sociology, political science and business to understand how policy decisions affect schools and communities.
Contact Us
Addison Wallace
Admissions Coordinator
615.460.5505
Email Addison
Plan Your Visit
There's no better way to experience Belmont than by visiting campus. Whether you attend an admissions event, take a student-led campus tour or explore Nashville while you're here, a visit helps you picture yourself as part of the Belmont community.