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 education professionals through nationally recognized undergraduate and graduate programs. Host to the North Carolina Teaching Fellows and Principal Fellows programs, the college also supports a variety of institutes, centers, and initiatives—including the ECU Community School—dedicated to advancing education and addressing the unique needs of Eastern North Carolina and the state.

Faculty and staff engage in meaningful collaboration with regional partners to promote research, professional development, and community engagement that strengthen schools and support student success. Committed to preparing and supporting transformative educators, scholars, and leaders, the college fosters a supportive environment focused on student growth and academic excellence.

Through innovative licensure and credentialing pathways, vibrant student support communities, and robust professional development opportunities, the College of Education empowers current and future educators to thrive. Meaningful donor partnerships and strategic scholarship investments, resulting in over $1 million awarded annually, further ensure opportunity, advancing the college’s mission to promote excellence in education.  

Online Program Ranking

The ECU College of Education ranked 54 out of 313 institutions on the U.S. News and World Report's Best Online Programs Survey in 2024-25, placing the COE in the top 20% of ranked institutions.

Post-Degree Success

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 scholarship funding for undergraduate and graduate students for the 2025-2026 academic year. Scholarships are available for full time and part time students as well as campus-based and distance education.

 

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