The Academic Senate advanced a proposal for Marquette’s School of Education to become a College of Education, with the authority to grant baccalaureate degrees, specifically a bachelor of science in education in either middle childhood/early adolescence (grades 1-8) or early adolescence/adolescence (grades 6-12) education. The proposal will now go to the university’s Board of Trustees for consideration at its March 2007 meeting.

Education Dean Bill Henk said the college designation would provide official recognition that “teacher education represents a discipline in which undergraduate students are specifically prepared for professional roles.” The School of Education prepares undergraduate students for careers as teachers, and graduate students as school counselors, counseling psychologists and school administrators.

The proposed majors in middle childhood/early adolescence (grades 1-8) or early adolescence/adolescence (grades 6-12) education, which the Academic Senate also passed, would require students to fulfill both the University Core of Common Studies and a second major in either the College of Arts and Sciences or the College of Communication. Students would also have to complete the education courses required to meet the licensing requirements of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

College status would enable the education unit to admit students as freshmen. Henk said this would allow students to begin taking education courses immediately. In combination with the ability to help students focus their curricular choices to meet both university and DPI requirements, this should help students complete their degree and licensure work sooner. Currently most students require at least an extra semester to meet all requirements.

Henk said the college designation would also help in the recruitment of students, recordkeeping and the ability to offer enhanced student services.