Office of the Dean
Interim Dean: Nancy Sileo, Ed.D.
Associate Dean: Robyn Hess, Ph.D.
Associate Dean: Jingzi (Ginny) Huang, Ph.D.
Location: McKee 125
Telephone: 970.351.2817
The mission of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences is to contribute to the betterment of society through research, professional service, and the preparation of individuals who are skilled lifelong learners capable of working effectively with diverse populations in an evolving global community.
The College offers programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Graduate programs in Psychological Sciences and Applied Statistics and Research Methods and Educational Technology prepare students for employment in a range of fields including education and the business and technology sectors. The undergraduate program in psychology provides students with a liberal arts degree and transferable skills in several areas including research design and analysis and the ability to understand human behavior.
Several programs in the College provide professional training by offering specialized undergraduate licensure and graduate degree programs in education and psychology. The undergraduate licensure programs (Licensure and Endorsement Programs) prepare elementary, middle, secondary, K-12, and special education teachers. The Center for Urban Education in Denver prepares elementary, special education, and early childhood education teachers for work in urban schools. The DO IT Center offers an undergraduate degree in ASL-English Interpretation (both online and onsite at the UNC Denver Center) and a graduate degree in Teaching American Sign Language.
Graduate programs are also offered to prepare school administrators, school psychologists, educational technology personnel, counselors and counseling psychologists for schools, mental health agencies and private practice. These programs also prepare college and university faculty and administrators.
The professional education faculty members of the College are committed to the serious study of education and the promotion of professional standards to ensure quality and foster innovation in professional preparation. The College Conceptual Framework holds the view that education is a transformational enterprise and that professional educators use evidence in decision making; respect diversity; collaborate with others; are standards and performance-based; and can use technology to improve teaching and learning.
Programs in the College are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. All educator preparation programs are approved for licensure by the Colorado State Board of Education and authorized by the Colorado Department of Higher Education. The American Psychological Association and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs accredit programs in School Psychology and Counseling and Counselor Education. The ASL-English Interpreting degree is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education.
Other major units in the College are the Tointon Institute for Educational Change, Bresnahan-Halstead Center on Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, and the Kephart Memorial Child Study Center. A common focus of these diverse units is to provide teachers and administrators with advanced professional development.