In the early years, the School of Education focused on addressing the need for qualified teachers in a rapidly developing city, offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, with a strong emphasis on practical training and classroom experience.
By the mid-20th century, the school expanded to include advanced degrees and specialized programs in educational leadership, special education, and educational psychology. This period marked the school’s transition from a primarily teacher training institution to a multidisciplinary hub focused on a broad spectrum of human development. In 1935 the Dade County Public Schools established the Merrick Demonstration School in partnership with the University to provide students with hands-on classroom experience. In 1954, that partnership between the county and the School of Education blossomed into the Henry S. West Laboratory School. Shortly after, the first doctoral programs were offered.
The late 20th century saw a shift in the school’s focus to include programs in counseling and physical education, reflecting a more holistic view of education. This led to the school’s renaming in 2011 to the School of Education and Human Development to better reflect its diverse academic offerings and its commitment to fostering human potential and well-being across multiple contexts. The school further extended its reach by offering the University’s first online graduate degree.
Today, the school’s multidisciplinary programs now include teaching and learning, kinesiology and sport sciences, and educational and psychological studies. New programs in applied learning sciences, sports medicine, and data analytics address the demands of the modern workforce. These programs allow students to explore the full spectrum of lifelong human development, from early childhood through adulthood, while fostering community engagement.
Throughout its history, the school has remained committed to research and innovation. Faculty members engage in diverse projects, ranging from neuromuscular research and active aging to STEM education in bilingual classrooms and culturally informed family therapy interventions. The Community and Educational Well-Being Research Center, the Max Orovitz Kinesiology Lab, the Institute for Individual and Family Counseling, and the Responsible Educational Analytics Hub prepare future educators, researchers, and leaders in the fields of education, psychology, kinesiology, and research measurement that impacts both the academic community and broader society.
Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations and public schools in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, the school addresses critical issues such as college access for foster care youth, sports injury prevention, climate gentrification, and affordable housing. Driven by a vision based on the transformative power of education, programs emphasize pedagogically innovative teaching and experiential learning.
The school leads in translational research, learning sciences, and community impact, developing future leaders to make a difference in classrooms, clinics, and communities worldwide.
Read the full issue of Miami Magazine Centennial Edition online.
