A brief history of the Graduate School of Education

1889: UC Regents announce, “the intention…to establish a course of instruction in the science and art of teaching.”

1892: Elmer Ellsworth Brown is hired as the first Professor of the Science and Art of Teaching. The Department of Pedagogy is established. The B.A. degree in education is offered through the College of Letters and Science.

Elmer Ellsworth Brown (1861-1934). First professor of Education at Cal, designed first statewide standards for secondary teachers

1894: First California high school teaching certificate that is based on standards developed by Prof. Brown issued by UC Berkeley.

1898: The Department of Pedagogy grants its first Ph.D. to Millicent Washburn Shinn. Hers is the first doctoral degree earned by a woman in the University of California.

Millicent Washburn Shinn (1858-1940). First Ph.D. in Education at Cal, first woman Ph.D. in the University. Inscription on back of photo: “with apologies for that poison oak that spoiled your examinations, Millicent W. Shinn, '79.”

1900: The Department of Education established as a unit of the Graduate Division.

1903: UC students begin practice teaching in Berkeley public schools.

1905: Masashi Yoshimi becomes the first Asian American to earn an advanced degree from UCB’s Department of Education, writing a master’s thesis on secondary school organization in Korea.

1913: On recommendation of the Academic Senate, the Regents establish the School of Education. Alexis Lange becomes the first dean.

1922: The School of Education begins offering the Ed.D. degree.

1924: The School moves into the newly-completed Haviland Hall. Many credential programs offered, including administrative credentials.

The School moved into Haviland Hall in 1924.

1936: First M.A./Advanced Credential programs developed.

1941: Courses in special education first offered; elementary and secondary credentials separated.

1947: First funding of educational research through grant from University funds. In the following year, research is clearly articulated as a major goal.

Students in the Lange Library of Education, Haviland Hall, 1950

1952: Field Service Center established for “promoting professional services to the public schools.”

1956: School Psychology credential program instituted.

1959: Elementary School Science Project is formed to research problems and design improvements in science education.

1962: School of Education moves to new home in Tolman Hall. Theodore Reller begins his nine-year term as dean.

1970: Academic divisions officially formed. Merle L. Borrowman begins six-year deanship the following year.

1973: Bay Area Writing Project founded at UC Berkeley. Later giving rise to California Writing Project and National Writing Project.

1983: Bernard R. Gifford starts his five- year term as dean. Funding for research projects grows dramatically under his leadership.

1988: William D. Rohwer begins term as dean. Flanders Fellowships initiated. Restructuring effort starts in 1994.

1995: Eugene E. Garcia named dean. School consolidates divisions and moves toward more inclusive structure, hosts national conference on collaboration and excellence in 1996.

2001: P. David Pearson takes over as dean.

2003: UC Berkeley collaborates with California State universities at Hayward, San Francisco, and San Jose to start Joint Doctoral Program for school administrators.

Joint Doctorate Program in Leadership for Educational Equity students, faculty and staff