The original charter of North Carolina Central University issued by the General Assembly of North Carolina in 1925 (Chapter 56, Private Laws, 1925) set forth an institutional purpose that included the training of Negro high school teachers and principals. By 1927, the institution had in place sets of "combination courses" especially designed for high school teachers (English and French or Latin, English and History, History and French or Latin, Mathematics and Science, Mathematics and History, History and Science).
In 1928-29, the Department of Education became one of the units of the College of Liberal Arts, and it offered six courses in professional education—expanding to 20 courses by 1937. By 1939, the General Assembly enacted a statute which authorized the Board of Trustees at North Carolina College to establish graduate programs. Majors included the Master of Arts degree in Administration, in Secondary Education, and in Elementary Education. In 1952 the first Ph.D. program was offered in Administration and Supervision, Elementary Education, and Guidance. Five graduates were awarded the Ph.D. degree before the program was discontinued in 1964.
The Master of Education degree in Graduate Elementary Education was established in 1954 replacing the Master of Arts degree which had been established in 1939. The Sixth-Year Program leading to the Advanced Principal’s Certificate was established in 1960 but was discontinued in 1972.
The following undergraduate programs were added in the order shown:
*circa
The following graduate programs were added in the order shown:
Distance Education Programs
According to archival records, the first chair of the department was Dr. Ruth Rush, appointed around 1937. Others who followed her include Dr. Joseph Pittman, Dr. Rose Butler-Browne (1948 - ), Dr. Norman Johnson, Dr. Charles Alcorn (Interim), Dr. Furman Moody, and Dr. Waltz Maynor (1987- 1989). Dr. Rose Butler-Browne is credited with organizing the department and laying the foundation for today’s modern School of Education - a complex organization that provides sixteen undergraduate licensure areas and eight graduate programs.
In 1989, the Department of Education was elevated to School status. Dr. Walter Brown served as the first dean (1989-1992). Others included Dr. Carolyn Whitted, Interim (1992-1995), Dr. Sammie Campbell-Parrish (1995-2001), and Dr. Cecelia Steppe-Jones (2001-present).
Under Dr. Campbell-Parrish’s leadership, departments were established but were reorganized when Dr. Steppe-Jones assumed the position. Departments now include Curriculum and Instruction, Counselor Education, Communication Disorders, Educational Leadership, Research and Technology, and Special Education.
The first “real” home for the Department of Education was the Taylor Building, which was named for Dr. James T. Taylor, a faculty member of 33 years. The Taylor building was dedicated November 6, 1970 on Founder’s Day. This three-story building also housed the Departments of Geography, Psychology. The Dark Room Production Studio, Conference Room, Lounge, Auditorium, and offices were located on the first floor. The second floor had classrooms only. The third floor housed the Departments of Geography and Psychology.
The School of Education moved into its present facility in August 2000. It was named in honor of The Honorable Representative H. M. Michaux, Jr. of the North Carolina House of Representatives and was dedicated on June 15, 2007. The 109,000 square foot state of the art building has full wireless capability and contains the following resources:
The mission of the North Carolina Central University School of Education is to prepare educational professionals to serve and inspire excellence in teaching, administration, counseling, communication, technology and other related services. The central focus of our mission is the development of leaders who promote social justice and dedicate themselves to the well-being of a global community.
“Preparing Educators for Diverse Cultural Contexts”
A Beacon for Educators in North Carolina and Beyond
“On Time, On Task, On a Mission”
The School of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction and the Council on Academic Accreditation of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Programs (CAA). The School of Education is also accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
In addition to academic programs, the School of Education faculty conducts many supplementary programs of excellence including the following:
Students and faculty have engaged in study-travel opportunities in Kenya, China, Belize, Ghana, Mexico, Canada, England, and Ethiopia.
Students are awarded scholarships through these resources: Teaching Fellows, Principal Fellows and Wachovia Scholars.
The Brenda Brodie Endowed Chair is held by Dr. Diane Wormsley who is highly respected in her field of Visual Impairment.
The School of Education faculty keeps abreast of innovations in teacher education. The following experiences have been incorporated into professional development activities for our candidates:
Knowledge Skills (Cognitive)
Dispositions (Affective)
The School of Education has been awarded major grants to assist us in research, service, professional development, and public school/community partnerships. Some of these grants include the following:
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