External shot of Bavaro Hall from McCormick Road in the early fall

About

At this school your passion and drive to make a difference in the lives of people and their communities is matched by outstanding faculty and staff who will prepare you to become not just a professional in your field, but a leader.

The UVA School of Education and Human Development is considered one of the leading education schools in the country, and many of our programs are ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report. Our evidence-based approach to developing leaders in the practice of education, health, and human services, is paired with rigorous and practical research. Our students work closely with faculty to discover innovative and proven-effective methods that address challenges in schools, clinics, and communities across Virginia, the nation, and around the world.

Mission, Vision and Values

Teacher interacting with a young student on an art project

Mission

We are scholars, teachers, clinicians and innovators whose work promotes human development across a broad array of settings, experiences and backgrounds. We prepare leaders in the practice and study of education, health, wellbeing, and human services. We foster authentic partnerships linking application and scholarship. We build knowledge and tools for evidence-based application. We shape practice and policy to achieve important societal and personal outcomes.

Student in lab wearing a white coat conducting and experiment

Vision

We will spur transformative change in education and human development through rigorous practice-informed scholarship and professional preparation. EHD strives to create a feedback loop that ties together the actions of discovery, instruction and practice for mutual benefit. Research and instruction conducted by our faculty is inextricable from practices in our broad fields; and we envision ourselves as leading and cultivating the “science of applied practice” in education and human development.

Five students at a podium with the student in the middle speaking

Values

We value rigorous scholarship and impactful application; high academic standards and integrity; diversity and inclusivity of multiple ideas and points of view; respectful and caring professional and learning environments; and partnerships with each other, our local, and greater communities.

Rankings

Ranked among the nation's top schools of education – the UVA School of Education and Human Development consistently produces innovative research and houses some of the best faculty in the field.

2nd
2024 US News & World Report Online Graduate School Rankings

Ranked the No. 2 best online graduate education program in the country and No. 1 best online master’s in education program for veterans. Four online programs are ranked in the top 11– administration and supervision (4th), curriculum and instruction (4th), special education (4th), and media design (instructional design) (11th). 

Two students on the Lawn at graduation smiling at the camera holiday balloons giving a thumbs up
2024 US News & World Report Graduate School Rankings

The School of Education and Human Development is ranked 16th with nine programs receiving special honors–special education (5th), elementary education (11th), administration and supervision (9th), secondary education (10th), education policy (12th), student counseling (16th), curriculum and instruction (14th), higher education (19th) and education psychology (13th).

8th
World Rankings

2022 Global Rankings of Academic Subjects by Shanghai Ranking: UVA School of Education and Human Development is 8th in the world

Up angle view of the Rotunda exterior
U.S. News & World Report Top U.S. Public Universities

The University of Virginia is currently ranked 3rd.