College of Education - About the College
Message from the Dean - Dr. Carol A. Sharp
Welcome to the Rowan University College of Education. The College of Education houses one of the largest teacher preparation programs in the State of New Jersey and in the United States. It offers comprehensive programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the following departments: Educational Services, Administration, and Higher Education; Educational Leadership; Health and Exercise Science; Language, Literacy, and Special Education; and Teacher Education.
We also have an Early Childhood Demonstration Center, Reading Clinic, and Assessment Clinic.
We are fully accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). NCATE is officially recognized by the US Department of Education as an accrediting body for institutions that prepare teachers and other professional personnel for work in preschool, elementary, and secondary schools. It is a coalition of over 30 national organizations committed to quality teaching. Uniting teachers, teacher educators, policymakers, subject matter specialists, and members of the public, it sets rigorous standards for the preparation of teachers and other professional school personnel. Our college has been accredited since NCATE was founded in 1954.
Our theme is A Learning Community in Action. Our primary mission is to promote the development of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of our faculty and students that are necessary to achieve academic, social and personal responsibility, and social justice goals in themselves in order to facilitate high achievement in P-16 learners. We believe that a learning community in action will truly make a difference in the lives of all learners.
The college works very closely with the public schools in Southern New Jersey and has developed strong partnerships at different levels with over 200 schools. Whether in cities or rural schools, in elementary classes or secondary subject areas, we recognize the contributions that practitioners make to our programs. Field experiences are an integral aspect of our programs serving to unite the wisdom of practice with important teaching and learning theories. We continuously seek ways to work more closely to build strong relationships with area schools.
When I joined the faculty in 1987, but especially when I began serving in 2002 as interim dean, I saw my role as an advocate for the College of Education. As a graduate of the college’s elementary education program, I know first-hand how faculty and programs can enrich the lives of candidates. We live in exciting and demanding times, and the faculty and staff of the College of Education continue to actively respond to the challenges facing public education by working very closely with professionals in all aspects of educational practice. Please consider Rowan University as your first choice towards educational excellence.
