About the college
Our history
Since its official organization in 1905, the Florida State University College of Education has provided students with the resources and opportunities necessary to become educational leaders. The College of Education spans back more than a century to the normal schools of the 1800s. The first normal course was offered in 1884 at the Seminary West of the Suwanee. In 1901, Dr. A.A. Murphree created the Teacher's Training Department. Additional changes occurred during Dr. Murphree's tenure, and in 1903 the School for Teachers was established. Soon the newly named Florida State College for Women (FSCW) became the third largest women's college in the nation, and in 1922, the State School for Teachers was renamed the School of Education. The advent of model schools established Florida High School in 1927.
As FSCW continued to grow in faculty, staff, students, campus life, athletics and facilities, the 1940s brought a modernization for the time. After World War II, the College experienced continued growth, and in 1947 the FSCW became coeducational and received a new name — the Florida State University. The education program continued to thrive, and in 1968, FSU President Robert M. Strozier changed the status of the School to a College of Education. Progress continued with the construction of the Stone Building, named after former Dean Mode Stone, in 1977.
Our programs
Historically, the college has played an integral role in meeting the needs of the state and nation. As we continue to progress, we celebrate a rich heritage while ensuring that we continue to be a driving force in preparing educational leaders. We currently offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs in 40 fields of study. In recent years, many of our programs have been recognized for superior credentials and achievements.
The undergraduate programs in the College of Education prepare teachers and a variety of human services practitioners for a variety of educational careers. The faculty provides experiences that enable students to acquire professional competencies required in each field. We believe that all of its students should acquire a solid grounding in the liberal arts and an understanding of human learning and behavior.
Graduate programs in the College of Education prepare administrators, teachers, educational researchers, educational policy-makers, human service specialists, and other professional personnel for educational careers in both public and private settings. Our faculty is committed to conducting research that contributes to the science of education, to the ongoing assessment, and improvement of educational practice, both domestic and foreign. We offer master's, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees.
Our students
More than 3,000 students are enrolled in the college's five academic departments, and more than half of these are graduate students. Students entering teacher education have an average SAT score of 1050 and ACT score of 20+. (These are above the minimum required by state law to enter teacher education.) In addition, students are required to have a GPA of 2.5 and a C or better in all first and second-year math and English courses. Approximately 50 percent of the students entering teacher education programs come from Florida's community colleges.
Our faculty
Of the more than 100 distinguished College of Education ranked faculty, 100 percent hold doctorates. The college is proud that many of its faculty members have received honors including the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professors, FSU Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, and Developing Scholars Awards. In addition, a number of faculty members have assumed major leadership positions within the university and in the larger academic community. We actively recruit new faculty members who are leaders in their fields and passionate about education.