School of Education

Inspire the Next Generation

Cultivate a love of learning as a teacher. Develop policies to solve pressing education challenges as a public policy analyst. Boost team performance with cutting-edge strategies as a corporate trainer. And so much more. SOE’s Undergraduate Program — taught by world-renowned faculty — will help you inspire the next generation.

Undergraduate Research

UCR offers research opportunities to all undergraduate students! This advantage catapults you to the “top of the list” for jobs and/or graduate school. Current SOE research includes:

Maximizing educational outcomes for traditionally marginalized communities
Exploring the family context of youth with developmental disabilities or autism
Creating new ways to teach academic words to those with “below grade level” reading skills — thanks to $1.4 million grant from the Institute of Education Sciences

David Burghgraef, a student in the Graduate School of Education

“As a student in the SOE, I have built memorable relationships with a diverse group of students, and supportive faculty and staff. The experience and skills I have developed through the program helped prepare me for invaluable internship and career building opportunities.”

David Burghgraef (Education, Society, and Human Development)

Community Engaged Learning

SOE has partnerships with local school districts, nonprofits, and community-based organizations across the Inland Empire and beyond who share our commitment to transform education. Students in the education major can earn their required community hours by engaging with these partners in a variety of ways.

Organizations That Hire SOE Graduates

SOE graduates go on to become classroom teachers, administrators, legal and medical specialists, and nationally recognized experts in autism and learning disability research.

A UC Degree Is More Affordable Than You Might Think

85%

of UCR undergraduate students who applied for aid were awarded aid.

97%

of undergraduate students who were awarded aid received need-based scholarships and/or grants.

86%

of need was met with need-based aid.

(Financial Aid Office, 2022–23)

Let us show you how: financialaid.ucr.edu

Prestigious Scholarships and Awards

First-year and transfer UCR students can fund their education with prestigious scholarships, such as the Donald A. Strauss Scholarship and the Undergraduate Fulbright Scholars (Research and English Teaching Award). Support is offered throughout the application process. Also available are campus scholarships, and Financial Aid's Outside Agency Scholarship Search for regional and national scholarships.

Major

Gain real-world experience with the Education, Society, and Human Development Undergraduate major. You will explore issues, policies, and practices of education and research.

Choose a concentration for your major:

Minor

(All majors welcome)

Regardless of your major, a minor in education will enhance your ability to relay information to and work effectively with diverse populations. It will also boost your professional marketability in a wide variety of industries.

SOE offers two minors:

Athletic Leadership – Launched fall 2020 and is the first athletics-based undergraduate academic program for UCR and the UC system.
Education

Undecided? We Can Help!

SOE helps students successfully transition into a field of study that is consistent with their aptitudes, values, and goals.

rEQUEST INFORMATION

Take a Tour

Explore UCR’s park-like campus, the perfect setting for learning and thriving as a student in education.

View Tour Now

Notable Facts

55th

SOE is ranked No. 55 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Education Schools, up 24 spots from No. 79 in 2021.

World-Class Faculty

Includes three Spencer Fellows, two Ford Fellows, and renowned experts in autism and learning disability research.

Faculty Mentorship

You'll be mentored by SOE's nationally recognized faculty. Includes help with coursework, field research, and service learning.

A graduation cap sits on top of two closed books

Education, Society, and Human Development

SOE’s first undergraduate major began in fall 2018.

Award-Winning Faculty

RAQUEL RALL

Assistant Professor of Higher Education

Focuses on leadership and governance of higher education, and equity. Strives to identify best practices to increase access to and success in higher education for traditionally marginalized communities, and on bridging research and practice.

AUSTIN JOHNSON

Assistant Professor of School Psychology

Studies how to provide educators with effective and responsive tools for supporting positive student behavior. Works closely with local districts to develop, improve, and evaluate the effectiveness of behavior support strategies for students with and without disabilities.

Success Programs

Every program is designed to help you succeed from the moment you first step on campus, to the day you graduate.

FR First-Year Students TR Transfer Students

Academic Resource Center (ARC)

Maximize academic success with peer/staff mentoring, tutoring, and graduate school preparation. Improves leadership, time management, public speaking, and study skills.

First-Year Mentor Program

SOE Transfer Student Learning Community

Includes the EDUC 094 "Transfer Seminar-Opportunities" course, a weekly peer mentor through the ARC, and a pop-up peer mentor in the SOE student lounge.

SOE Faculty Mentoring

Connect with nationally recognized faculty mentors. Includes help with coursework, service learning, and field research.

SOE First-Year Student Seminars

Enjoy peer mentoring, career development, community building, and academic/professional workshops.

Student Spotlight

FRANCISCO “PANCHITO” J. RAMIREZ RUEDA

Class of ’19 (Education, Society, and Human Development with the Community Leadership, Policy, and Social Justice Concentration)

Research assistant for the Center for Educational Transformation
Participated in the UCDC program and interned with the League of United Latin American Citizens
Won a Presidential Public Service Fellowship
Received an undergraduate research mini-grant to conduct independent research
Co-founded The Dreamers Soccer Clinic, a nonprofit to help underprivileged youth

SAMIA ALKAM

Class of '21 (Education, Society, and Human Development; and Political Science)

Interns at the Riverside Community College District Chancellor’s Office
Serves as president of the Middle Eastern Student Assembly (MESA) at UCR
Gives presentations as a campus tour guide
Participates in the Civic Engagement Research Group to help improve education on civic engagement in grades K–12

SOE Alumni

SASHA M. ZEEDYK ’15

(Ph.D. in Special Education)

Assistant Professor of Child and Adolescent Studies at California State University, Fullerton
Current research projects focus on individuals with autism, specifically looking at their transition from adolescence into adulthood and college participation

Matthew Schiller, a UCR alumnus, teaches science

MATTHEW SCHILLER '01 and '02

(M.S. in Biochemistry; Teaching Credential)

Science Teacher at Riverside Polytechnic High School
Recipient of the 2010 Riverside Unified School District Teacher of the Year Award
Mentor in SOE’s Teacher Education Program
Member of SOE's Alumni Mentor Network
Chemistry Teacher in the UCR School of Medicine’s FastStart Summer Program

Career Center

UCR’s Career Center — and Virtual Career Center — offers full-service counseling and resources, regardless of major or class level.

Includes:

Career and graduate/professional school planning
Job/internship search strategies and database
Skill-building workshops, employer information sessions, and panel discussions
15 fairs and special events, including the Graduate and Professional School Information Day Fair, and the Teacher Job Fair