The North Carolina Central University School of Education began in 1925 as a collection of courses intended to train black teachers and principals to work in the racially segregated school system of the Jim Crow South. It became a department in the College of Liberal Arts in 1928 and a fully-fledged school in 1989.
Conceptual Framework
“Preparing Educators for Diverse Cultural Contexts”
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" specially designed for high school teachers (English and French or Latin, English and History, History and French or Latin, Mathematics and Science, Mathematics and History, and History and Science).
In 1928–1929, 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. In 1939, the General Assembly enacted a statute that 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 PhD program was offered in Administration and Supervision, Elementary Education, and Guidance. Five graduates were awarded the PhD 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 that was established in 1939. The Sixth-Year Program leading to the Advanced Principal’s Certificate was established in 1960 but discontinued in 1972.
The following undergraduate programs were added in the order shown:
* Approximate date.
The following graduate programs were added in the order shown:
The following distance education programs were added as follows:
According to archival records, the first chair of the department was Dr. Ruth Rush, appointed ca. 1937. Others who followed her include Dr. Joseph Pittman, Dr. Rose Butler-Browne, 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), Dr. Cecelia Steppe-Jones (2001–2011), Dr. Wynetta Lee (2012–2015), and Dr. Audrey Beard (2015–present).
Today, SOE's departments now consist of Allied Professions and Curriculum and Instruction.
The mission of North Carolina Central University's School of Education is to prepare candidates to assume socially responsible positions that advance the general welfare of North Carolina people. The university is committed to serving its historical population of African American students as well as an increasingly diverse clientele. The School of Education's conceptual framework, "Preparing Educators for Diverse Cultural Contexts," undergirds the school's curriculum and represents the faculty's commitment to preparing teachers to teach children from all racial, cultural, socio-economic, and religious backgrounds. The program is also designed to engender in graduates the ability to see the social and political implications of their actions and the social contexts in which they are carried out. This paradigm further supports the notion that graduates use their skills and knowledge to promote greater equality, justice, and humane conditions in schooling and society.
Our mission applies to all professional education programs at the University, including those housed in the College of Arts and Sciences. The "unit" is considered to be all professional education programs, with the unit head being the dean of the School of Education. As such, the School of Education is the academic unit responsible for all NCCU teacher education programs.
Strategic planning goals and strategies for the School of Education (SOE) align with and support the goals and strategies identified by the North Carolina Central University 2019–2024 Strategic Plan. The SOE’s goals and strategies are defined here in compliance with the four goals established by the University.
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 on November 6, 1970—Founder’s Day. This three-story building also housed the Departments of Geography and Psychology. The darkroom 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 of 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 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).
Signature Programs of Excellence
In addition to academic programs, the School of Education faculty conducts many supplementary programs of excellence, including the following:
International Travel
Students and faculty have engaged in study-travel opportunities in Kenya, China, Belize, Ghana, Mexico, Canada, England, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic.
Scholarship Programs
Students are awarded scholarships through Principal Fellows and Wachovia Scholars. For more information, please refer to our scholarship contact (below):
Sharon A. Coleman
Executive Assistant to the Dean of the School of Education
North Carolina Central University
H. M. Michaux, Jr. School of Education Building
700 Cecil Street
Durham, NC 27707
919-530-6466
[email protected]
Endowed Chair
The Brenda Brodie Endowed Chair is currently held by Dr. William R. Wiener, who is highly respected in the field of visual impairment.
School of Education Grants
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: