SES occupies an unusual niche in the world of graduate education programs.  We are small, intimate, “high touch”, high quality, and deeply committed to the vision of promoting both social justice and accountability for America’s schools. None of our peer institutions quite compares with us in all of these ways, so we have a quality and character that we can take advantage of as we move forward in a capital campaign. 

For most of its 81 year history SES has concentrated on providing very high quality teaching in a small, classical environment. Faculty take enormous pride in their teaching, and students have responded with great praise and satisfaction. We are known as a place that will create an individualized academic program for every student and that will support the student through the successful completion of their doctoral degree.

In Teacher Education program, CGU initiated the internship model of teacher preparation in California in the 1960s, and this model has become widely regarded as the best way to prepare teachers. In the 1980s we became a leader in the preparation of minority group teachers. Today we are known for preparing teachers to deal effectively with the complex problems of today’s urban schools and as one of the best, if not the best, teacher education programs anywhere.

The School of Educational Studies believes that public education in America is entering a period of reconstruction similar to that which occurred 100 years ago from about 1900 to 1920. We do not know exactly how long this restructuring will take nor just what it will entail but there are significant changes already underway, such as the taking over of urban school by mayors and the focus on small schools that seem to work by the Gates Foundation. We will be directly involved in this restructuring process and will provide both advice and leadership as it unfolds. SES students can join in the action research that will help society move toward the goals of social justice and equity.

Perhaps our most valuable role will be as a bridge between the public officials who are responsible for this restructuring and the universities and think tanks that attempt to provide research advice. CGU/SES can assume this critical role and play a major part in creating the kinds of public educational institutions that are academically effective, socially just, and publicly accountable.