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Research Driving Change
Emily Tanner-Smith, PhD

Meet Our Interim Dean

Meet Emily Tanner-Smith, PhD, a Thomson Professor, and now interim dean. Dean Tanner-Smith takes on this new role after 8 years at the College of Education serving as a Thomson Professor in the Counseling Psychology and Human Services Department, a research scientist at the Prevention Science Institute, and executive director of the HEDCO Institute for Evidence-Based Educational Practice. 

More About Emily Tanner-Smith

No. 3
special education Graduate program in the nation
No. 5
graduate school of education among public institutions
No. 15
graduate school of education in the nation

Our faculty, staff, and students have one thing in common: A spirit of discovery and dedication to creating positive change with the goal of a more equitable, educated, and healthy tomorrow.

2,000+
students and faculty
3
departments
19
programs
13
research & outreach units
two students talking while sitting on a bench in front of HEDCO building
Our Degree Programs and More

If you plan to become a teacher, special educator, administrator, human service provider, or clinician you will find a diverse array of learning, social/cultural, professional, and practice opportunities at the University of Oregon College of Education. 

In addition to academic programs, the COE includes an alliance of nationally prominent centers, institutes, and affiliated research and outreach units working together to educate our students, further groundbreaking research, and provide vital services to the community. Along with our degree programs, we offer teaching licensure, endorsements, and certificates for students interested in increasing their knowledge and adding credentials to their resume. At the frontier of policy and practice, we offer new ways to think, know, and learn.

Explore Degree Programs and More

News 

June 30, 2025

HEDCO building

Four-day school week may not be best for students, review finds

A new University of Oregon review of 11 studies found little evidence that the four-day school week benefits student academic performance, attendance, behavior or graduation rates. The HEDCO Institute for Evidence-Based Educational Practice at the UO conducted the systematic review, a rigorous analysis of the highest-quality research available on the four-day school week in the United States.

June 18, 2025

Olivia Iverson

Alumni Spotlight: Olivia Iverson

Learn more about Olivia Iverson (Oglala Sioux Tribe) MEd '20, a Sapsik'ʷałá Teacher Education and UOTeach Elementary Education program alumna, through our Alumni Spotlight series. Olivia credits her family for inspiring her decision to attend Sapsik’ʷałá and UO Teach in pursuit of a master’s degree and teaching license in elementary education and ESOL.

June 13, 2025

Addie Cooper holding her graduation from the COE sash

Graduate Spotlight: Addie Cooper

Learn more about Addie Cooper, a student graduating from our Educational Foundations (EdF) program, through our Graduate Spotlight series. After graduation, Addie hopes to use her degree and become a substitute teacher for a year before returning to UO and getting her teaching certificate at UOteach. She then hopes to start teaching kindergarten here in Oregon. 

June 2, 2025

Emily Tanner-Smith, PhD accepting SPR Fellow award

Emily Tanner-Smith, PhD, selected as a Society for Prevention Research Fellow

The 2025 Recognition and Honors Committee, with nominations from the membership of the Society for Prevention Research (SPR), selected Emily Tanner-Smith to be a Fellow. Fellowship is an honor that SPR bestows upon a small and select group of members who have a particularly distinguished record of contributions in the field of prevention research.

 

 

 

 

All News  »

student looking down at book studying
Creating Change Through Research

We are the highest-ranked academic unit at the University of Oregon, due largely to a decades-long record of national and international research and development in special education, counseling psychology, educational leadership, and school psychology. Our research culture is unique and highly influential because our faculty have a long tradition of translating research into effective models, methods, and measures that improve lives.

We have 43 commercial education products on the market right now. These innovations have an enduring impact in Oregon and across the nation.

 

Research Center

Our faculty-developed research models, methods, curriculum, and assessment tools:

Reach
 
97%
of Oregon children
are used in
 
29,000+
schools in the us and internationally
 
Community and Outreach Centers

We are a premier provider of educational and related clinical services to local communities and the state of Oregon. We are also a critical provider of technical assistance to international governments ranging from Saudi Arabia to New Zealand to Denmark. And hundreds of children and adults are served each year by our outreach units.

With services such as learning disability assessments, speech-language pathology, family counseling, early childhood special education, and behavioral support for children with autism among many, we support children and families of all ages—from infants and toddlers to adolescents and young adults.

Community and Outreach Centers

graduate shaking hand with dean of college of education

Fund Your Future

$1.3M
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING IN 2024-2025
$382K
UNDERGRADUATE 
SCHOLARSHIPS
$697K
MASTER'S
SCHOLARSHIPS
$221K
DOCTORAL
SCHOLARSHIPS

We have a number of funding opportunities, both at the college and program level, that will help you to afford your education—from traditional scholarships to grant-funded positions, stipends, and service-pay-back programs. We encourage you to explore all the different options and to apply even if you initially think you might not qualify. It is our goal to make our programs as accessible as possible to all who are interested.

Student Academic Services

Aiming to make student services more accessible, the SAS office is now a “one-stop shop” for students seeking undergraduate advising.
Our academic advisors, along with our scholarship, international, and graduate recruitment folks are now all housed in the SAS office.

I want to meet the SAS team! 

a mix of College of Education students sitting in a classroom
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the College of Education

Our college is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates the diversity of our undergraduate and graduate students, our faculty, our staff, and our partners. 

See our plans, activities, and opportunities.

DEI Activities

University of Oregon International Students
COE International Students

Our international student scholars are represented across nearly all of our undergraduate and graduate programs. 

5 Continents, 27 Countries, 102 Students.

We have International Students all over the world. 

International Student Resources

Sapsik'ʷałá Teacher Education Program

Sapsik'ʷałá, a Ichishkíin/Sahaptin word meaning "teacher", is the name of a program created by the University of Oregon College of Education in partnership with the nine federally recognized Tribes of the State of Oregon. The 12-month program allows participants to earn a master of education (MEd) degree and teacher licensure.

The Sapsik'ʷałá Teacher Education Program supports American Indian and Alaska Native teacher candidates in becoming professional educators, provides funding for teacher candidates' cost of attendance, and provides two years of support services once in the field.

 

Sapsik'ʷałá cohort 2025

 

2002
Sapsik'ʷałá Program started to support american indian and alaska native teacher candidates
125
number of Sapsik'ʷałá Program alumni teaching in tribal communities
49
number of tribes represented by Sapsik'ʷałá Program alumni

Once a Duck, Always a Duck

We love our alumni. They are an engaged community of accomplished Ducks who support student success and faculty research, share their wisdom in the classroom, and help graduates launch careers. With a strong network of personal and professional connections that last a lifetime, our alumni have a lasting and profound impact on the success of the college.

 

 

Oregon News

In partnership with middle schools, the center will focus on identifying issues early on

A new University of Oregon review of 11 studies found little evidence that the four-day school week benefits student academic performance, attendance, behavior or graduation rates.

Journalists heard from education and psychology researchers and got an update on Ballmer Institute programs 

All Oregon News  »

Events

Graduate Student Welcome Lunch and Resource Fair
Sep23
Graduate Student Welcome Lunch and Resource Fair Sep 23 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Grad Student & Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event
Oct23
Grad Student & Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event Oct 23
What is Research? (2026)
Apr23
What is Research? (2026) Apr 23 University of Oregon Portland

 

All Events  »