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Museums, science centers, zoos and aquariums, parks, field stations and public gardens are a few examples of institutions that have informal education at the heart of their operations. UMSL’s BES program with an emphasis in Informal Science and Cultural Education prepares students to help these and similar institutions in fulfilling their educational missions.
In UMSL’s BES program, students gain skill and insights that can be applied as innovative educators, program managers, activity directors and as curriculum developers in these informal learning settings. BES students in the Informal Science and Cultural Education emphasis will be prepared for employment opportunities in organizations such as museums, science centers, children’s museums, national parks, and a variety of cultural institutions. Through the BES program, students have the opportunity to earn specific credentials, as needed, and to pursue academic minors related to their individual career goals. Traditional state teacher certification is not required for this emphasis area. Through our strong internship offerings, UMSL BES students have opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills in a variety of field and community based experiences which are included as part of their professional course work. These internship experiences take place in a variety of settings in the St. Louis region. Currently, the BES program offers internship experiences at recognized St. Louis institutions such as the St. Louis Science Center, Challenger Learning Center, Contemporary Art Museum and the Saint Louis Zoo. These and other sites provide opportunities to work with both suburban and urban populations of all ages and for students to participate in a variety of work roles and experiences.
UMSL BES program weaves student’s passion with opportunity
BES Graduate Finds Her Way Through The Program
Educational Studies student shows off her dream internship at the St. Louis ZooStudents in UMSL’s BES program with the Informal Science and Cultural Education emphasis have some of their courses in common with other BES students, and some of their course specific to the informal science and cultural education emphasis. For a list of these courses, see the emphasis area for Informal Science and Cultural Education in the requirements below.
Students follow the University's General Education Requirements, Mathematical Skills, Advanced Expository Writing, American History and Government, and Cultural Diversity Requirements. Due to prerequisites of required courses all students must take PSYCH 1003 and POL SCI 1100. Students pursuing the Exercise Science emphasis area must take BIOL 1012, BIOL 1013, and MATH 1030.
| TCH ED 1001 | Early Clinical Experience: Community Agency | 1 |
| TCH ED 2000 | Becoming a Professional Educator | 1 |
| EDUC 2002 | Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| EDUC 2222 | Interpretation: Connecting Audiences and Meaning | 3 |
| ED PSY 2212 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| or CNS ED 3200 | Interpersonal Skills in Helping Relationships | |
| PHY ED 2136 | Facilities Management | 3 |
| EDUC 3170 | Grant Proposal Writing for Educators | 3 |
| ED FND 3251 | Black Americans in Education | 3 |
| THEATR 3362 | Storytelling | 3 |
| MKTG 3721 | Introduction to Digital Marketing Strategies | 3 |
| ED TECH 4302 | Educational Technology Instruction in Educational Agencies | 3 |
| or ED TECH 4436 | Computer-Mediated Teaching and Learning in Education | |
| ED FND 4330 | History of American Education through the Lens of Social Justice | 3 |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Students must complete the requirements for one Academic Minor chosen in consultation with the advisor. The minor and electives in a related area must total 21 hours.
| Suggested Courses | ||
| MEDIA ST 2211 | Introduction to Digital Multimedia Production | 3 |
| MEDIA ST 2222 | Convergence and Digital Media | 3 |
| MGMT 3600 | Management and Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| or SOC 3600 | Management and Organizational Behavior | |
| SOC WK 2000 | Social Work and Social Issues | 3 |
| HLTH PE 3380 | Introduction to Nutrition for Health and Performance | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
