UCR School of Education: Shaping the Future of Education

The UCR School of Education (SOE) stands as a beacon of innovation and equity within a public research university. Leveraging its extensive expertise, the SOE cultivates impactful partnerships, collaborations, and evidence-based resources that are essential for effective teaching, learning, and student success. The school's core mission centers on advancing equitable educational systems and practices, with a strong emphasis on recognizing, honoring, and collaborating with the diverse communities of the region. This commitment aims to create transformative opportunities and contribute to a better world.

Mission and Values

The UCR School of Education is dedicated to developing future educators, administrators, policymakers, researchers, and leaders who champion socially just, evidence-driven, and culturally sustaining principles in their work. The SOE actively strives to identify and dismantle injustices, while simultaneously promoting structures that foster opportunity for all.

The SOE takes on the status quo. We believe educators are liberators because knowledge is transformative.

Innovative Research Initiatives

The UCR School of Education is home to several groundbreaking research initiatives, each focused on addressing critical challenges and advancing knowledge in specific areas of education and human development.

Social Cognitive Development Neuroscience Lab: Led by Dr. Katherine Meltzoff, this lab employs neuroscience methods to investigate social motivation, restricted interests, probabilistic learning, and related processes in children and adults, with a particular focus on individuals with Autism. Research areas include social and cognitive development and neuroscience. The lab also studies "cute aggression".
Multiplicative Reasoning Intervention Project: This project is dedicated to developing and piloting a supplemental intervention program focused on multiplication and division for 3rd-grade students who experience difficulties in mathematics.
SEARCH Family Autism Research Center: Under the direction of Dr. Katherine Meltzoff, UCR's first family autism resource center provides invaluable services such as free autism screenings, support, advocacy, and cutting-edge research aimed at improving educational access and familial well-being for individuals with autism and their families. Dr. Meltzoff's specialization is in developmental psychology.
Revolutionizing Early Literacy Project: Directed by Dr. Linda Ventriglia-Navarrette, this federally funded and UC-endorsed initiative utilizes the RULE of 3 system to accelerate English learners' language, literacy, vocabulary, and thinking skills in kindergarten through early grades, leading to significant improvements in performance on standardized assessments. Dr. Ventriglia-Navarrette's expertise lies in language education and literacy intervention.

Career Opportunities in Education

A career in education offers a multitude of rewards - financial, emotional, and intellectual - and encompasses a wide array of job opportunities. While teaching, administration, and school counseling are traditional paths, education can also lead to specialized careers in STEM education, special education, bilingual education, and speech pathology. The field of school psychology is experiencing rapid growth, as is education IT. Many graduates choose to work in the public sector as policy administrators or education researchers. A BA in ESHD prepares students to make a difference in the world.

Bachelor of Arts in Education, Society, and Human Development (ESHD)

The UCR School of Education offers a Bachelor of Arts in Education, Society, and Human Development, known as ESHD. This program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the social, cultural, and historical contexts of education, as well as the developmental processes that influence learning.

Is ESHD Just for Teachers?

An ESHD degree prepares you to create more equitable systems and practices inside a classroom. The curriculum is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address complex issues in education and to advocate for positive change.

Teacher Education Program (TEP)

In order to teach in a California public school classroom, you have to earn your teacher credentials. For those who aspire to teach in California public schools, the SOE offers a Teacher Education Program (TEP) that allows students to earn their master’s degree and credentials or just their credentials in one year. The TEP also offers programs in bilingual authorization and special education.

Concentrations within ESHD

Students can choose from two concentrations within the ESHD program:

Education for Social Justice: This concentration focuses on examining the social, political, and economic factors that contribute to inequality in education. Students in this concentration learn how to advocate for policies and practices that promote equity and social justice.
Learning and Behavioral Studies: This concentration explores the cognitive, social, and emotional processes that influence learning and behavior. Students in this concentration develop the skills to design and implement effective interventions for students with learning and behavioral challenges.

While the concentrations will guide course decisions at the upper level, many courses are the same for both, ensuring a solid foundational learning experience for all students.

Double Major Opportunities

A significant number of ESHD students pursue double majors in fields such as psychology, sociology, liberal studies, ethnic studies, public policy, and anthropology. This allows students to gain a broader perspective on education and its relationship to other social issues. Students can get two degrees in the same amount of time as one, without incurring additional costs.

Preparation for Graduate School

An ESHD degree provides a strong foundation for graduate studies in education and related fields. Graduates of the ESHD program have gone on to pursue advanced degrees in teaching, educational leadership, counseling, and research.

Resources and Support Systems

The UCR School of Education provides a range of resources and support systems to help students succeed in their academic and professional endeavors.

Research and Writing Support Center: SOE students have access to a devoted Research and Writing Support Center.
Community Engaged Learning: Students participate in a professional development program called Community Engaged Learning.
Dedoose Training: The SOE provides access to Dedoose, a cloud-based qualitative and mixed methods research program, for faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Training sessions are available to help users learn how to use the program effectively. These sessions cover basic overviews, advantages of the cloud-based application, and advanced analytical features.
Professional Development Series: The SOE's Professional Development Series offers support and tools to help students prepare for their chosen careers. These sessions feature panel discussions and learning opportunities led by faculty, post-docs, administrators, and professionals. Topics covered include gender recognition and pronouns, navigating higher education roles, preparing academic job materials, and tips for navigating graduate studies.
Graduate Program Coordinator: Students can contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for assistance with program status, degree progress, and other administrative matters.
Guidance on Academic Issues: The Graduate School of Education provides guidance on unresolved academic issues.

A Unique Learning Environment

The UCR School of Education offers students the resources of a large, public university combined with the personalized attention of a small college. UCR boasts D1 athletics, brand new residence halls, modern recreation facilities, multiple dining facilities, hi-tech classrooms, and a diverse array of student groups.

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