Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I begin the Minor?

The best time to enroll is second semester freshman year or first semester sophomore year. Beginning early gives you time to think about what you are learning and relate it to other ESS courses. We want you to be able to consider the issues over time and in relation to new perspectives that you acquire in your courses.

2. How do I enroll?

Make an appointment with Nancy McAdams, the ESS Associate Director. Her office is in the Institute for Educational Initiatives building behind the Basilica and the Dome. Phone: 631-0985; nmcadams@nd.edu.

3. Why can’t I finish the ESS minor in one year if I have lots of free time during my senior year?

As explained in the answer to question #1 above, because we are studying complicated issues, we would like you to have the time to connect and deepen ideas. Also, it is impossible to guarantee that you could find enough electives to take all 3 in your senior year.

4. Should I take an ESS elective class before entering the Minor?

It is fine to start with an elective class. The Introductory class, ESS 33600 is offered every fall. Therefore, if you begin ESS in the spring taking an elective is a good way to get started.

5. Can I do the ESS minor and still go abroad?

Yes, many of our students do both. Beginning the ESS minor early helps in planning so that you can accomplish all of your goals by graduation. However, if you do not enroll in the program until your junior year, you may not be able to fit the required courses into your remaining three semesters.  Please talk to your advisor about your course options to determine whether the ESS minor works with your schedule.

6. Does ESS prepare me to teach?

No. ND has a cooperative program with St. Mary’s where our students earn elementary or secondary certification. ND students who are interested in pursuing supplemental studies in education at St. Mary's should contact: Arts and Letters - Vicki Toumayan (Vicki.M.Toumayan.5@nd.edu) and in Sciences -
Sr. Kathleen Cannon (Kathleen.Cannon.1@nd.edu).

Whether you choose ESS or Saint Mary's College education depends on your goals. Completing the education program at Saint Mary's College gives you a teaching certificate. ESS is designed not to certify you to teach (though you may want to do this after graduation), but to take a scholarly approach to studying important issues and research in education. In ESS you will take a look at the big picture; in a teaching certification program, you will not focus on these issues, but on learning to teach.

7. Is ESS a good background for teaching?

Yes, it is. In the ESS minor, you will learn a great deal about the history and goals of American education, the effects of certain organizational structures (like tracking) on students and teachers, about who the “winners and losers” are in American education, and why, and what constitutes learning and effective teaching. These are questions that are not addressed in teacher education programs because the focus is different. We feel that ESS is very complementary to learning to teach—it gives you a context for the choice of instructional strategies and many other teaching decisions.

8. Are there ways to obtain my teaching certification after completing my BA with an ESS minor?

Yes, talk to Dr. Julie Turner or Nancy McAdams about master’s degree programs in education that also offer certification. There are traditional and alternative programs. In fact, many different kinds of programs are being developed to meet specific needs of people who want to teach. Our own Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) is one of those.

9. Does ESS run tutoring programs?

No, but many ESS students participate in tutoring programs. We do offer a course for Teamwork for Tomorrow tutors (in the fall) and for any interested tutors (in the spring). It is ESS 30611 and is one credit hour, meeting once a week for one hour. It is taught by our teacher in residence. A good source for tutoring programs is the Center for Social Concerns.