Welcome to the ECU College of Education

The College of Education is North Carolina’s largest producer of educators, preparing teachers, school leaders, counselors, and other professionals through nationally recognized undergraduate and graduate programs. The college houses key centers and institutes—including the ECU Community School, McClammy Counseling and Research Laboratory, Irene Howell Assistive Technology Center, Center for STEM Education, and the Rural Education Institute—that drive innovation and address the unique educational needs of Eastern North Carolina and beyond.

As a host institution for the North Carolina Teaching Fellows and Principal Fellows programs, the college additionally offers donor-funded scholarships and robust scholar communities designed to foster student success and professional development. Meaningful donor partnerships further enhance these efforts by providing essential resources and expanding opportunities for students and communities. 

Committed to preparing transformative educators, scholars, and leaders, the college cultivates a supportive environment focused on student growth, academic excellence, and innovative licensure pathways that empower current and future educators to thrive. 

Nationally Ranked Programs

ECU College of Education earned an A+ rating in Elementary Reading and Mathematics from the National Council on Teacher Quality and ranked 54th out of 313 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024–25 Best Online Programs, placing it in the top 20% nationally.

Educators in Action

Over 13,000 ECU-trained educators are employed in North Carolina public schools. ECU educator preparation program completers are employed in 2,276 schools across 115 districts in North Carolina.

Funding Student Success

The College of Education awarded $1.2 million in scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students for the 2025–2026 academic year, supporting both full- and part-time, campus-based and distance learners.

 

Expanding Research Impact

One-third of College of Education faculty are engaged in grant-funded research, contributing to a positive trajectory in external funding and advancing community-focused projects that support ECU’s R1 designation and create meaningful impact across eastern North Carolina.

Empowering Student Service

College of Education students complete over 5,000 hours of community service each year through program-led initiatives, gaining meaningful insight into the real-world experiences of students and families across eastern North Carolina.

Practice-Based Preparation

Each year, over 1,000 ECU pre-service teacher candidates complete field experiences and internships across North Carolina, supported by the 43-district Latham Clinical Schools Network and partnerships with more than 90 districts statewide.

College of Education Mission

The mission of the College of Education is the preparation of professional educators and allied practitioners, including professionals in business information systems, counseling, electronic media, and librarianship. Significant to this mission is a strong commitment to three important related areas, all of which are realized through partnerships and other endeavors. These three areas are:

  1. the encouragement and nurturing of professional growth for educators and allied practitioners at all levels and in all areas of the educational endeavor;
  2. a continuing emphasis on and support for scholarship and research/creative activity; and
  3. service in all areas of professional education.

Critical to such commitment is the promotion of effective teaching; staff participation in the improvement of schools; and, in concert with other state agencies, the development and creation of educational policy for North Carolina.

History of the College of Education

  • 1907 East Carolina Teachers Training School chartered
  • 1909 First students enroll for classes
  • 1911 First class graduates
  • 1921 ECTTS renamed East Carolina Teachers College and begins four-year programs
  • 1922 First bachelor degrees awarded by ECTC
  • 1932 First Founders Day Celebration
  • 1951 ECTC receives college status, renamed East Carolina College
  • 1953 School of Education organized
  • 1967 ECC receives university status, renamed East Carolina University
  • 1972 ECU joins the University of North Carolina System
  • 2003 School of Education formally renamed College of Education