Graduate and undergraduate enrollment increases

The quality and rigor of the College of Education’s programs is clear: U.S. News and World Report has ranked our graduate programs in the top 20 percent of all U.S. colleges of education for the past eight years.

Interim Associate Dean for Learning Phil VanFossen speaks to incoming College of Education freshmen at iTeach 2016.

The College of Education’s undergraduate enrollment has increased 35 percent this fall over last fall. This counters a national trend that has seen enrollment decrease in colleges of education. Graduate enrollment continues an upward trend and has increased 43 percent over the past five years. Much of that growth is attributed to the success of the college’s online master’s degree programs in learning design and technology and special education. The percentage of student credit hours attained through online courses in the College of Education is among the highest on Purdue’s campus. Our online programs provide rigorous, high-quality curriculum for students all across the country.

What’s more, our students are in demand from employers. Ninety-four percent of our 2015 graduates reported being employed or continuing their education. School districts from Indiana and beyond attended our spring job fair. A recruiter from Texas said, “Purdue is a wonderful university. The College of Education is top-notch and its students are very well-prepared. We try to recruit the best teachers, and that’s why we’re here.” A local school administrator commented, “The quality of the candidates was outstanding. Well done, Purdue College of Education!”

Dean Maryann Santos said, “Teaching is a profession that has a high potential for impact — it’s clear that people see the value of a teaching career. Teachers are needed and they make a difference.”