Berkeley School of Education: A Legacy of Innovation and Equity
The University of California, Berkeley School of Education (BSE) stands as a prominent institution dedicated to advancing the understanding of learning and fostering equitable educational practices. With roots tracing back to 1889, the BSE has evolved into a leading center for research, teacher training, and policy development, committed to shaping the future of education across diverse contexts.
Historical Overview
The journey of the Berkeley School of Education began with the University of California Regents announcing their intention to establish a course of instruction in the science and art of teaching in 1889. This vision materialized in 1892 with the introduction of the Bachelor of Arts in Education within the College of Letters and Science. Further solidifying its commitment to education, the university established the Department of Education in 1900 as a unit of the Graduate Division. In 1913, the UC Board of Regents formally established the Graduate School of Education, with educator Alexis F. Over at the helm.
Over the subsequent decades, the school expanded its offerings, developing Doctoral, Master's, and Credential programs, alongside notable research initiatives, programs, fellowships, and institutes. This growth reflected the school's dedication to providing comprehensive training and fostering impactful research in the field of education.
Academic Programs and Areas of Study
The Berkeley School of Education offers a range of academic programs designed to prepare students for diverse roles in the field of education. These programs include a Bachelor of Science in Educational Sciences and a minor in Education for undergraduate students.
The BSE houses Master's Degree and Ph.D. programs within three Areas of Study (with the exception of LEEP, which is a schoolwide program) and grouped by Degree and Credential objectives. All four Credential programs include an M.A. degree. These graduate programs emphasize the integration of theory with practical application, ensuring that students are well-equipped to address real-world challenges in education.
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Tuition and Fees
Tuition costs at the Berkeley School of Education vary based on the program and student residency status. For California resident graduate students, the fees for the 2017-2018 academic year were $9,315.75 per semester, while nonresidents and international students paid $16,866.75 per semester. Students enrolled in the Leadership Education and Teacher Education MA-only programs faced fees of $11,827.25 for California residents and $17,949.75 for nonresidents and international students. These fees encompassed student services, tuition, campus access, transit, and health insurance, with the possibility of waiving health insurance fees upon providing proof of comparable coverage. Summer Sessions fees were determined by the number of units taken and the student's residency status.
Focus on Equity and Inclusion
The Berkeley School of Education is deeply committed to equity and inclusion in education. Its research, teaching, and practice approaches support a vision of public education that strives for equity and inclusion at all levels, from classrooms to global contexts. The school aims to positively impact personal growth and social transformation through its efforts.
Dean Michelle D. emphasizes the importance of educational systems for the well-being of schools, communities, and democracy. The BSE remains focused on the future and is committed to deepening its impact through expanding access to high quality education, fostering innovative research, and preparing educators who center student learning and cultivate equity in their classrooms, schools, and communities.
Professional Programs
The BSE's professional programs focus on equipping equity-driven future teachers, school psychologists and school leaders with the skills and mindsets needed to transform classrooms and schools into places where diverse students and communities thrive. These programs are designed to provide educators with the tools and knowledge necessary to create inclusive and supportive learning environments for all students.
Undergraduate Minor in Education
The Undergraduate Minor in Education (UME) is one of Berkeley’s most popular Minor programs. Students gain a critical understanding of the correlations between education and the development of societies and individuals. The BSE also offers an online minor in education, which can be completed in two summers.
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The Berkeley Review of Education
The Berkeley Review of Education (BRE) is a peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal that engages issues of educational diversity and equity from various cognitive, developmental, sociohistorical, linguistic, and cultural perspectives. The BRE accepts two types of manuscripts, research papers and theoretical essays.
Understanding issues of diversity and equity to be central, yet highly contested, themes in educational research, the BRE seeks to foster critical awareness and analysis of these issues in educational processes and practices in and out of school settings. The BRE seeks to capitalize on the theoretical and empirical contributions of scholars from diverse fields and disciplines. To that end, the BRE encourages submissions that foster critical communication spanning a broad range of disciplines including, but not limited to, anthropology, cultural studies, disability studies, ethnic studies, family studies, gender and sexuality studies, information studies, linguistics, psychology, sociology, and women’s studies. The BRE is published biannually in March and September. All papers are subject to a double-blind peer review process, and authors will be notified about their submissions in a timely manner. Authors retain the copyright to the articles they publish in the journal.
Impact and Recognition
The Berkeley School of Education has consistently been recognized as a top-tier institution in the field of education. Its programs have earned high rankings, reflecting the school's commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and community impact.
Connection to the Land
UC Berkeley sits on the territory of xučyun (Huichin), the ancestral and unceded land of the Chochenyo speaking Ohlone people, the successors of the sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County. The university recognizes that every member of the Berkeley community has, and continues to benefit from, the use and occupation of this land, since the institution’s founding in 1868.
Research and Innovation
Students and faculty tackle difficult questions - from how children, youth and adults learn, inside and outside classrooms; to how schools, communities and societies advance the educational and life chances of those they educate. The Berkeley School of Education has long been at the forefront of transformative work in education.
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Notable Figures
Keane has loved reading for as long as she can remember. From story time in Ms. Acorn’s kindergarten class to seeing her mother read at home, to the hours Keane spent in the public library as a child, she surrounded herself with books. And so it seems fitting that her scholarly work centers on literacy. “I believe every child has a right to read, and every teacher has a right to learn how to do it well, and I care deeply about being a part of helping that be true,” Keane says.
Hughes MA Education '07, BA Sociology '02, a three-year starting center for California men's basketball, has spent his career in higher education, academic programming and student development, with a strong commitment to supporting young athletes and scholars.
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