Recently, unrest has been circulating around the University about changes to the School of Education, ever since students within the college received an email last December that the School of Education would be closing its doors. The email, sent by University President Marvin Krislov, stated that the University would be focusing on “aligning our academic offerings around programs that are distinctive, mission-aligned, and positioned for growth.” This functionally means removing the Undergraduate Education Programs and absorbing any post-graduate programs in Dyson School of Arts & Sciences.
For nearly 60 years, the School of Education was home to several major programs. This even used to include combined degree programs, where students could earn an Undergraduate and Masters degrees in only 5 years. Some of these undergraduate degree programs included Early Childhood Education, Adolescent Education and Special Education—at least, that used to be the case. Right now, if one were to go to the official University School of Education website and browse Undergraduate degree programs, they would be met with a “No Results Found” message. However, there are still four graduate degrees listed — Adolescent Bilingual Education, Adolescent Education, Literacy Specialist, Advanced Certificate and Literacy Specialist, MSEd.
This is a direct result of “The Academic Master Plan” described by Krislov in his initial email. The email further explains that the crux of the changes within the School of Education are all revolving around one singular shift — as of the fall semester of 2026, the School of Education is being absorbed into Dyson School of Arts & Sciences, set to be converted from an entire college to a department within Dyson.
An undergraduate student currently enrolled in the School of Education who chose to remain anonymous, set to graduate with the class of 2027, discussed the students’ responses to the aforementioned email. explained that all of the current students enrolled in the undergraduate programs will be allowed to complete their degrees with little to no changes, but next year’s incoming class of 2030 will be the final class who will be permitted to pursue an undergraduate degree in Education at the University. Beyond next year’s freshman, the only education programming the University will provide will be entirely online graduate degree programs, in the above listed categories.
When asked about the immediate responses of other School of Ed students to these changes, the source said that it was, “At first, really confusing and upsetting.” She described how all of the School of Education students received an email saying that the college would be closing its doors, and it wasn’t until they inquired with the Dean that they got some assurances about their current standings.
The source continued, seeming assured now that “all the people who are here are going to be able to graduate with what we were promised, which is amazing because that’s why we committed to Pace in the first place.” While the sudden shift certainly caused its fair share of uproar in the immediate wake of the decision, the University has promised that the current undergraduate students and one additional incoming class will be able to complete their undergraduate degrees, as promised — but beyond the class of 2030, any undergraduate Education degree programs at the University will by completely voided.
The change is allegedly happening due to budget cuts, and according to an email that was sent to School of Education students by Krislov, the University’s desire to focus its financial resources on the future of the University. They will focus that funding on other opportunities for University growth and enrichment within other colleges and degree programs.
