Webster University Tashkent to Offer Bachelor’s of Education Studies Program This Fall
June 27, 2022
Webster University Tashkent has received recognition from the government of Uzbekistan
for its new undergraduate program, the bachelor’s of Education Studies (BEd). The
major is offered with three emphases: preschool education, primary education and English
education. Webster University Tashkent is the only institution of higher education
in Tashkent to offer a BEd program with these emphases.
The first Tashkent BEd students will start classes in the fall.
The curricula are aimed at preparing teachers to meet today’s standards and expectations of learner-driven, collaborative and inclusive classrooms.
“We are proud to offer this unique professional undergraduate educational program and opportunity to our students in Uzbekistan that will help develop and serve local education and its instructional workforce," said Eric Click, acting vice rector for academics. "The BEd is complementary and builds on our existing graduate educational programs and certificates: master’s in Education and Innovation (EDIN), master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and certificates in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Creativity and Innovation and International Teaching.”
Rokhatoy Boltaeva, who heads both the MA in EDIN and BEd programs in Tashkent, explained that the major is valuable for undergraduates who want to become teachers at schools in Uzbekistan and abroad.
“The BEd is designed for students to start with our Global Citizenship Program (GCP) courses during the first year, providing foundational knowledge and skills, which are unique to Webster University worldwide,” Boltaeva said.
Boltaeva said another major difference between Webster’s program and other educational program bachelor’s degrees available in Uzbekistan is that the BEd “includes courses that improve soft skills such as critical thinking, ethical reasoning, written and oral communication, and intercultural competence, while student-teachers also receive more support during their practicum with an individual approach that allows one teacher to supervise one student.”
The program serves Uzbekistan’s growing need for qualified educators. More than 60% of the country’s population is under the age of 30. The government of Uzbekistan is undertaking serious reforms in public education, including in the higher education institutions that specialize in training teachers.
Education is a field that many high school graduates are interested in. A recent survey shows the discipline was chosen by 21% of seniors when asked which profession they wish to join. All students who enroll will take the same courses during their freshman and sophomore years, after which they will choose an emphasis. Students become educators who are equipped with technology-enabled teaching skills and content knowledge required to teach any of the three emphases.
Admissions for the bachelor of Education Studies program at Webster University Tashkent is open now.