Turn Passion Into Purpose
Where will your degree take you?
A degree from the College of Education can prepare you for impactful careers as a teacher, special educator, administrator, human service professional, or clinician, supported by rich hands-on learning and real-world practice opportunities. Through nationally recognized research centers, licensure pathways, specialized credentials, and scholarship opportunities, you’ll gain the skills, experience, and perspective to advance your career and shape the future of education, policy, and community well-being.
Academic excellence at the College of Education begins with our internationally renowned faculty. In the classroom, they are passionate teachers who inform and inspire. Out in the field, they are dedicated mentors who help students build real-world skills, secure meaningful internships, and develop strong professional networks.
From Experience to Expertise
Hands-On Learning for Career Success
Students benefit from a wide range of experiential learning opportunities, including participation in clinical placements, faculty-led labs, and internships. These hands-on experiences allow them to apply their knowledge in real-world settings while working alongside expert faculty and professionals in the field. Through these opportunities, students build practical skills, gain confidence, and develop meaningful connections that support their academic and career goals.
The HEDCO Clinic provides students with unique clinical and research training opportunities in an integrated healthcare setting. Student clinicians develop their skills each year by offering free and low‑cost mental health, behavioral, and speech‑language services to the community.
The University of Oregon hosts over 100 faculty-led research labs. Under the guidance of expert faculty mentors, students collaborate on meaningful research projects that address real-world questions and challenges. LeveLab, Renew Lab, Swallowing Lab (O-SEE), and NeseLab are a few examples of COE faculty led labs.
Students have the opportunity to intern with community partners in Eugene and surrounding areas. Programs like the Direct Service Intensive (DSI) through FHS and the UOTeach student teaching placement offer important hands-on experience to prepare students for their career.
Educator Preparation
Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA)
The University of Oregon partners with COSA to support its Educational Leadership programs. Through this collaboration, students benefit from expert instruction and mentorship from experienced Oregon administrators, as well as access to professional learning, networking, and career development opportunities.
Education Studies
The many strengths of our educational studies undergraduate and graduate programs include diverse field placements, opportunities to assist faculty with research, and a variety of other enriching experiences that are an integral part of the curriculum.
Unique to the COE is our “4+1” teacher education pathway. Educational Foundation students spend their undergraduate years immersed in the study of education and then complete their licensure year through UOTeach. This enables students to understand the factors that shape educational systems well before they enter their own classrooms.
Sapsik'ʷałá Teacher Education Program
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.
What's it like to be a COE Duck?
Meet Isabel Lastiri, a first-year Couples and Family Therapy (CFT) student. Isabel is an exceptional and deeply valued member of her cohort, known for her organization, insight, and quiet but impactful leadership. She keeps others on track academically through weekly updates and thoughtful guidance, while also fostering a supportive and harmonious group dynamic with her emotional intelligence and care for others.
Peers admire her intentional connections, generosity with her time and knowledge, and the steady, calming presence she brings to every space. Faculty similarly recognize her as a diligent, disciplined, and highly engaged student who consistently produces high-quality work and contributes meaningfully to the program. Overall, Isabel’s leadership, character, and genuine care make her presence truly special and widely appreciated.
College of Education alumni are making a meaningful impact every day by leading classrooms, shaping policy, advancing research, and serving communities as educators, clinicians, and changemakers. Equipped with hands-on experience, respected credentials, and connections to nationally recognized centers, our graduates do not just enter the field, they excel, innovate, and lead it.
COMMUNICATION DISORDERS AND SCIENCES
Melaney Grenz, MS '99
Project manager at the
Center on Brain Injury Research
and Training (CBIRT).
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
Shaji S. Haq, PhD, BCBA-D, NCSP, '16
Director of Severe Behavior
Services at Easterseals
in Southern California.
FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES
Sarai Santos MS, QMHP, LMFT, '17
Bilingual Mental Health
Therapist and BIPOC Outreach Coordinator at Looking Glass Counseling Program.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Alex Walker MS, '20
Teacher at Malabon Elementary, Track and Field Head Coach
and Assistant Coach for
Boys’ Soccer at Willamette
High School.
What Our Faculty Say
"We aim to train the next generation of systems level changemakers in education including leaders in state departments of education, founders and drafters of education advocacy organizations and policy researchers at think tanks."
—Professor Ilana Umansky, PhD, Education Policy and Leadership
Career Support
Career pathways for undergraduate majors in the College of Education are supported programmatically through field placements, internships, and graduate school guidance.
