College of Education

You’ll change lives. (We’ll show you how.)

It takes more than passion alone to change the trajectory of a child’s life. You need to understand how to be a great mentor and advocate for communities. You need to know the ins and outs of building a lesson plan from scratch. You need hundreds of hours of classroom experience to hone your abilities.

For all of the above and more: Butler delivers. (Which is why our Elementary and Middle/Secondary Education students have had a 100 percent placement rate for well over a decade.)

Whether your aspirations lead you into the classroom or to another educational setting, we provide you with the tools and confidence needed to shape how future generations learn, dream, and prosper.

Butler student examines an item that a young student is showing her

Butler/IPS Lab Schools

Philosophy Into Practice

All teacher education students are given the opportunity for site-based instruction at our two IPS/Butler Lab Schools, which are Reggio Emilia inspired, project-based schools—and models for others to follow.

Our Lab Schools
Backpacks at a Butler Lab School

More than just practice

Real-time teaching opportunities

At Butler, we believe in the power of experience to develop extraordinarily prepared teachers. From their very first semester, Butler education majors are put in real classroom settings—with students of all ages—to see firsthand what it’s like to be an educator. Our extensive hands-on experience gives alums a competitive edge in the job search.

COE student at class in garden

Youth and Community Development

Go Beyond the Traditional Classroom

Our Youth and Community Development major prepares students to provide high-quality educational and outreach practices in community settings. Graduates are hired for positions in museums, nonprofit youth organizations, educational policy roles, recreation and sports programs, and community centers.

Youth and Community Development

Learning Never Stops

Butler offers graduate degrees and certificates that prepare you to be successful principals and school counselors. Boost your career and reach more students through our on-campus master’s and certificate programs aimed at counselors, social workers, and educators.

See COE Graduate Programs

Upskilling Educators

Butler University offers two Adult Learning Programs to help educators at different stages of their careers. Whether you’re a new teacher, working with an alternative certification, or focused on early childhood education, our programs are designed for your success.

The Teacher-Led, Teacher Education Program provides support new teachers, alternatively credentialed, emergency-permitted, or long-term substitute teachers with the training they need to succeed in the classroom.

In partnership with Early Learning Indiana, the Early Childhood Educator Certificate Program helps educators strengthen their skills and make a positive impact on early childhood education, improving the quality of early learning centers.

Take the next step in your teaching career with these impactful programs.

Teacher-Led, Teacher Education Program Early Childhood Education Certificate Program
COE graduate classmates

Innovative Classrooms

See Inside
South Campus

Our new home on the 40-acre South Campus includes a library for Education students and classrooms equipped with the latest technology, including video cameras to record practice teaching.

Watch Flythrough Video Take the Virtual Tour

Grant Recipient From Lilly Endowment Inc.

Butler received a $748,616 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support Science of Reading-aligned principles as they are integrated into teacher preparation programs.

Advancing the Science of Reading in Indiana
5
Available concentrations for Youth and Community Development majors
100%
Placement rate of COE graduates
1,500
Student-teaching hours logged by Elementary Education majors

Alumni Spotlight

2019 graduate Tommy Roers studied Secondary Education and Spanish and went on to become a Fulbright Scholar in Uruguay where he taught English. He now serves as an English as a Second Language teacher at Pike High School in Indianapolis.

Read Tommy’s Story
A language class with different colored flags

Who will be your next great colleague?

Know a student who would be a great fit for Butler’s undergraduate or graduate programs? Nominate (TAP) them today!

TAP Here
Contact the College of Education
Address

South Campus, Room 163
Butler University
4600 Sunset Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46208

Phone

317-940-9517
Toll Free: 888-940-9517

Email

coe@butler.edu