Curry School of Education
Encyclopedia
The Curry School of Education is a public school of education in the U.S. Located on the campus of the University of Virginia
in Charlottesville, the Curry School offers professional programs designed to prepare individuals for a variety of careers related to the practice of education. The current Dean of the Curry School is Robert Pianta.
In 1919, the School was placed upon a professional basis similar to that of the Schools of Law, Medicine, and Engineering. In 1950, a graduate division was established, offering the degrees of Master of Education and Doctor of Education. An Education Specialist degree was approved and initiated in 1974. Additionally, the School continues to function as a department of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, offering the Master of Arts in Teaching and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
In 1968, the Curry School of Education entered a period of rapid and significant growth. By the mid 1970s, the faculty had increased to approximately 120 members, and there are now more than 20 specialized programs.
. Graduate programs include degrees in Master of Education
, Education Specialist, Doctor of Education
and Doctor of Philosophy
. The undergraduate programs include Communication Disorders
and Sports Medicine
.
The Curry School is organized into three areas of academic study:
• Human Services - Prepares individuals for professional careers in human development and clinical services (i.e., clinical and school psychology, counselor education, communication disorders, kinesiology, and risk and prevention in education sciences).
• Curriculum, Instruction and Special Education - Prepares students for teaching positions, pre-kindergarten through grade twelve, or for work as researchers and teacher educators working in higher education.
• Leadership, Foundations and Policy - Prepares students for leadership roles in administration, foundations of education, and educational policies.
The five-year teacher education program is sponsored jointly with the University of Virginia College of Arts and Sciences. The program leads to the simultaneous receipt of both a bachelor of arts degree from the College and master of teaching degree of the Curry School. Students meeting all requirements are then certified to teach on the elementary or secondary level. Students wishing to pursue careers as teachers major in an academic discipline in the College and simultaneously begin professional courses leading to teacher certification.
Students apply to the Curry School in their first or second year in the College. Throughout the teacher preparation program, they participate in clinical experiences, including observation, tutoring, and small- and large-group instruction.
Programs leading to teacher certification include specializations in early childhood and developmental risk, elementary education, secondary education, physical education, and special education. For secondary teachers, specializations are available in English, foreign languages, mathematics, sciences, and social studies.
Two additional programs areas are designed for students interested in pursuing human service careers related to communication disorders and physical education/sports medicine. These programs require that students transfer into the Curry School and are designed to conclude after four years (B.S.Ed. degree) so that students may pursue additional graduate study. In communication disorders, the program provides pre-professional training in audiology and speech-language pathology. The program in sports medicine is a pre-physical therapy and pre-athletic training program. These programs provide the necessary academic and practical work for the four-year B.S.Ed. degree and for application to graduate programs in the related specialties.
Areas of emphasis include teacher preparation, services to at-risk children and to academically diverse and low-performing schools, preparation of school leaders, and integration of technology into learning.
ranked #5, Secondary Education
ranked #7, and Educational Policy
ranked #18. In their 2007 edition, the Curry School of Education was ranked #19 when compared with other national schools of education.
In 2002 the Curry School was selected by the Carnegie Corporation as having one of the top teacher education programs in the country. The University of Virginia received a five-year, $5 million, Teachers for a New Era grant to develop new models in teacher education.
A 2006 report by Arthur Levine named the Curry School among four "distinctive university-based teacher education programs that are exemplars in the field."
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
in Charlottesville, the Curry School offers professional programs designed to prepare individuals for a variety of careers related to the practice of education. The current Dean of the Curry School is Robert Pianta.
History
The Curry School of Education, founded with two professorships in 1905 as one of the academic schools of the University, was endowed by gifts of $100,000 from John D. Rockefeller and $50,000 from the State General Education Fund. The School was named for Dr. J.L.M. Curry, a native Georgian whose widely varied accomplishments made him a man of great renown throughout the antebellum and reconstruction South. In addition to being an ordained minister, a Harvard law graduate, a member of Congress, and a U.S. Ambassador, Dr. Curry was a historian, an author, a college professor, a promoter of education, and a strong advocate of universal education.In 1919, the School was placed upon a professional basis similar to that of the Schools of Law, Medicine, and Engineering. In 1950, a graduate division was established, offering the degrees of Master of Education and Doctor of Education. An Education Specialist degree was approved and initiated in 1974. Additionally, the School continues to function as a department of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, offering the Master of Arts in Teaching and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
In 1968, the Curry School of Education entered a period of rapid and significant growth. By the mid 1970s, the faculty had increased to approximately 120 members, and there are now more than 20 specialized programs.
Curriculum
The school offers several programs to students. A five-year Teacher Education program includes both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in TeachingMaster of Arts in Teaching
The Master of Arts in Teaching degree is generally a pre-service degree that usually requires a minimum of 30 semester hours beyond the Bachelor's degree. While the program often requires education classes in order to meet state licensure requirements, it emphasizes advanced course work in a...
. Graduate programs include degrees in Master of Education
Master of Education
The Master of Education is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in a large number of countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum and instruction, counseling, and administration. It is often conferred for educators advancing in...
, Education Specialist, Doctor of Education
Doctor of Education
The Doctor of Education or Doctor in Education degree , in Latin, Doctor Educationis, is a research-oriented professional doctorate that prepares the student for academic, administrative, clinical, or research positions in educational, civil, and private organizations.-Differences between an Ed.D...
and Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
. The undergraduate programs include Communication Disorders
Communication disorder
A communication disorder is a speech and language disorder which refers to problems in communication and in related areas such as oral motor function. The delays and disorders can range from simple sound substitution to the inability to understand or use language...
and Sports Medicine
Sports medicine
Sports medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with physical fitness, treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise...
.
The Curry School is organized into three areas of academic study:
• Human Services - Prepares individuals for professional careers in human development and clinical services (i.e., clinical and school psychology, counselor education, communication disorders, kinesiology, and risk and prevention in education sciences).
• Curriculum, Instruction and Special Education - Prepares students for teaching positions, pre-kindergarten through grade twelve, or for work as researchers and teacher educators working in higher education.
• Leadership, Foundations and Policy - Prepares students for leadership roles in administration, foundations of education, and educational policies.
The five-year teacher education program is sponsored jointly with the University of Virginia College of Arts and Sciences. The program leads to the simultaneous receipt of both a bachelor of arts degree from the College and master of teaching degree of the Curry School. Students meeting all requirements are then certified to teach on the elementary or secondary level. Students wishing to pursue careers as teachers major in an academic discipline in the College and simultaneously begin professional courses leading to teacher certification.
Students apply to the Curry School in their first or second year in the College. Throughout the teacher preparation program, they participate in clinical experiences, including observation, tutoring, and small- and large-group instruction.
Programs leading to teacher certification include specializations in early childhood and developmental risk, elementary education, secondary education, physical education, and special education. For secondary teachers, specializations are available in English, foreign languages, mathematics, sciences, and social studies.
Two additional programs areas are designed for students interested in pursuing human service careers related to communication disorders and physical education/sports medicine. These programs require that students transfer into the Curry School and are designed to conclude after four years (B.S.Ed. degree) so that students may pursue additional graduate study. In communication disorders, the program provides pre-professional training in audiology and speech-language pathology. The program in sports medicine is a pre-physical therapy and pre-athletic training program. These programs provide the necessary academic and practical work for the four-year B.S.Ed. degree and for application to graduate programs in the related specialties.
Missions
- 1. To prepare the next generation of educators and administrators to teach and conduct research to address important problems facing the current educational system.
- 2. To enhance potential human performance by conducting important research in areas such as physical development, speech/language/auditory development, and psychological/emotional development.
Areas of emphasis include teacher preparation, services to at-risk children and to academically diverse and low-performing schools, preparation of school leaders, and integration of technology into learning.
Facilities and Centers
The majority of facilities, offices, and classes through the Curry School are held in Ruffner Hall, which includes its own education library. Centers at the Curry School include the following:- Center for the Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning
- Center for Academic Diversity and Excellence
- Center for the Study of Higher Education
- Center for Technology and Teacher Education
- Central VA Writing Project
- [Darden-Curry Partnership for Leaders in Education] http://www.darden.virginia.edu/html/area.aspx?styleid=3&area=ple
- McGuffey Reading CenterMarcia A. InvernizziMarcia Invernizzi is a professor, author, and researcher in the field of Reading Education. At the University of Virginia Curry School of Education, she conducts seminars and mentors masters and doctoral students in reading education. As founder of the Reading Buddies program, she is known across...
(Reading First and Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening) - Saturday and Summer Enrichment Program
- Teachers for a New Era
- Virginia Youth Violence Project
- Young Women Leaders Program
- Young Writers Workshop
Rankings
In 2005, the US News and World Report ranked a number of Curry's graduate programs in education as some of the highest in the country, with Special EducationSpecial education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
ranked #5, Secondary Education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
ranked #7, and Educational Policy
Educational Policy
Educational Policy is a peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes papers in the field of Education. The journal's editor is Ana M. Martinez Aleman . It has been in publication since 1987 and is currently published by SAGE Publications....
ranked #18. In their 2007 edition, the Curry School of Education was ranked #19 when compared with other national schools of education.
In 2002 the Curry School was selected by the Carnegie Corporation as having one of the top teacher education programs in the country. The University of Virginia received a five-year, $5 million, Teachers for a New Era grant to develop new models in teacher education.
A 2006 report by Arthur Levine named the Curry School among four "distinctive university-based teacher education programs that are exemplars in the field."