Old Dominion University Darden College of Education and Professional Studies

Old Dominion University Darden College of Education and Professional Studies
Name	Darden College of Education and Professional Studies
Parent	Old Dominion University
Established	1961
Type	Public college
City	Norfolk
State	Virginia
Country	United States
Dean	JoAnn G. Fiss
Students	1,800 (approx.)
Website	Official website

Old Dominion University Darden College of Education and Professional Studies is a collegiate unit within a public research university located in Norfolk, Virginia. The college offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees emphasizing teacher preparation, counseling, leadership, and applied kinesiology while engaging regional school divisions, healthcare providers, and military partners. Its mission aligns with statewide licensure standards, accreditation bodies, and workforce development initiatives.

History

The college traces its origins to teacher preparation programs developed at Old Dominion University during the post‑World War II expansion of higher education in the United States and the evolution of normal schools into comprehensive universities such as University of Virginia, College of William & Mary, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Institutional milestones include program accreditation by Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and expansion concurrent with federal programs like the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Leadership transitions mirrored trends at institutions such as University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Teachers College, Columbia University in adopting standards from professional organizations including the American Counseling Association and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Academic Programs

Programs span initial teacher licensure, advanced practitioner preparation, and professional studies similar to offerings at Pennsylvania State University, University of Michigan, and University of Texas at Austin. Degree pathways include Bachelor of Science degrees paralleling curricula at Florida State University and Master of Education programs analogous to those at University of Florida. Specialist and doctoral programs reflect graduate models at Vanderbilt University, University of Pennsylvania, and Peabody College. Certifications and endorsements prepare candidates for state licenses regulated by the Virginia Department of Education and intersect with standards from the Council for Exceptional Children and the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

Departments and Centers

The college comprises departments and centers that mirror structures at peer institutions such as Boston College and University of Georgia. Academic units include departments of Teacher Education and Leadership reminiscent of programs at Ohio State University, Counseling and Human Services with professional ties like those at Indiana University Bloomington, and Kinesiology and Health Sciences similar to University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Centers and institutes support applied work in collaboration with entities such as the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, and local school divisions akin to partnerships with Hampton City Schools or Norfolk Public Schools.

Research and Partnerships

Faculty engage in research themes that resonate with projects at Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, and George Mason University, securing competitive funding from agencies like the U.S. Department of Defense, the Institute of Education Sciences, and private foundations comparable to the Gates Foundation. Partnerships extend to healthcare systems such as Sentara Healthcare and military installations including Naval Station Norfolk, facilitating translational work in sport performance, veteran education, and mental health services. Collaborative networks with regional universities and K–12 systems parallel consortia found at University of Richmond and Christopher Newport University.

Student Life and Organizations

Student engagement includes chapter affiliates of national groups like Kappa Delta Pi, student chapters associated with American Counseling Association, and clubs that mirror organizations at Sigma Phi Epsilon and Phi Kappa Phi on other campuses. Clinical practica, internships, and service learning place students in settings such as Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters and community organizations resembling partnerships with United Way affiliates. Career preparation programs coordinate with municipal employers including City of Norfolk human services and regional school boards.

Facilities and Campus Resources

Facilities supporting instruction and applied practice include specialized laboratories, clinics, and performance spaces comparable to centers at University of Maryland, Harvard University, and Yale University in scope if not scale. On‑campus resources provide assessment suites for teacher candidates, counseling clinics that serve community clients, and kinesiology labs equipped for biomechanical analysis used in collaborations with organizations like USA Track & Field and regional athletic programs such as Old Dominion Monarchs. The college also leverages university libraries and digital platforms aligned with consortia such as the Association of Research Libraries.

Notable Faculty and Alumni

Faculty and alumni have contributed to statewide policy, professional standards, and scholarship in venues akin to publications from American Educational Research Association, presentations at Society for Research in Child Development, and leadership roles in organizations like the Virginia Education Association and National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Alumni career placements include public school leadership, higher education appointments, clinical practice, and positions with nonprofit partners reminiscent of careers at Teach For America, Peace Corps, and regional health systems. Recognized scholars and practitioner leaders from the college have been honored through awards and fellowships similar to those from the Fulbright Program and the Spencer Foundation.

Category:Old Dominion University Category:Colleges of education in the United States