University of Illinois College of Education

College of the University of Illinois

The College of Education is the undergraduate and graduate education school of the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. It was founded in 1905 and took on its current name in 1918 after previously being known as the School of Education. The college offers undergraduate, graduate, and online programs in areas including elementary education, early childhood education, special education, and Educational Organization and Leadership. It began with six departments; three of them merged and formed the largest department in the college. All departments offer masters and doctoral degrees. However, only two departments offer undergraduate degree programs: Special Education and Curriculum & Instruction. The college also offers 16 online programs. Students seeking an undergraduate degree in the college must meet the minimum graduation requirement set forth by the university. To obtain a certification, students must also meet the requirements of the Council on Teacher Education, a professional educational administration at the University of Illinois. The total enrollment is 1,361 students as of 2015.

The main building of the College of Education is the Education building, which is located on the south quadrangle of the campus, near the Krannert Art Museum. The Education Building was built in 1964 and designed by the university architectural professor A. Richard Williams. The college planned to expand their building to accommodate for the number of growing students. A building model was made representing what would be the new college building. However, the date for this expansion has yet to be confirmed by the college.

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction prepares students on the issues of teaching, learning, and child development. This department is ranked #12 in the nation, according to U. S. News & World Report.

The Department of Special Education focuses on the education of students with intellectual and learning disabilities from birth to age 21. This department is ranked #7 in the nation, according to U. S. News & World Report.

All four of the college departments offer master's and doctoral degrees to graduate students. Funding for graduate students is limited.

The Greater China Initiative was established in the 2012 2013 academic year to enable a staff member of the college to based in Shanghai, China to "advance both the global influence and the international impact of the College of Education by promoting faculty expertise, undergraduate and graduate degree programs, non degree certificate programs, contract projects, and alumni events [in the region]." The initiative is partially supported by the Yew Chung Education Foundation which has allowed a Teach in China study abroad cohort composed of undergraduate and graduate students to teach for three to six weeks at Yew Wah School of Shanghai which is located in the Changning District of Shanghai.

Freshmen who applied to the college are all admitted to the Pre Early Childhood, Pre Elementary Education, Pre Special Education curriculum. Elementary education and early childhood education (academic programs in the Department of curriculum and instruction) requires Junior standing with at least 60 hours of coursework. The special education program requires student to have at least 30 hours by the end of freshmen year. Upon completion of these requirements, students will receive certification to teach. Each certification varies depending on the programs of study.

The College of Education hosts the annual Van Miller Distinguished Scholar Practitioner Award in Springfield. This award is given to those who have presented excellence in the field of education in the states of Illinois. The selection of the recipients is made by college administration alumni and professors.