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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

The College of Education and Human Sciences

Strengthening the lives of individuals, families, schools and communities

History

A Brief History of the College of Education and Human Sciences

We have a long history steeped in tradition, service and academic achievement dating back to 1894 and 1908 when the seeds for our founding colleges were planted. In the fall of 2003 the College of Human Resources and Family Sciences joined together with Teachers College to create a new college: The College of Education and Human Sciences.

Throughout our history our college has been a pioneer in research, a resource for the state of Nebraska, and a training ground for emerging professionals in a wide variety of fields.

Highlights from Our History
children

1894 Rosa Bouton developed a course called Chemistry of Foods.

1908 The UNL Board of Regents established Teachers College to focus on "the history, theory and practice of teaching to improve the quality of secondary teaching".

Temple High School (also called Teachers College High School) was established as a laboratory school for the College.

1920 Teachers College building was dedicated. It is now Canfield Hall North.

1928 The first building dedicated to study of child development west of the Mississippi was opened. It was named for Ruth Staples, who taught the first child development course at Nebraska. building

1964 The College created the first Department of Clothing, Textiles and Design featuring majors in Interior Design, Textile Design, Textile Science, Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Design.

1970 The School of Home Economics was raised to status of College of Home Economics. Student enrollment tripled, and the college expanded into two new home management laboratories.

1980's Teachers College was identified in a national study as having the top student teaching program in the country.

In the 1990's a distance education doctoral program was established, the first of its kind in the nation.

1993 The Educational Psychology department was ranked No.1 in the country in scholarly publications.
quilt gallery

In 1994 The Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery, the only gallery dedicated to textiles in the region, was established.

1997 The International Quilt Study Center was added to the college to promote the appreciate of quilts as an art form.

2003 Teachers College and the College of Human Resources and Family Sciences join together to create a new college dedicated to strengthening individuals, families, schools, and communities.