There are a number of reasons to expand the college. First, the expanded college will offer greater opportunity for collaboration across research areas related to the human experience. This research synergy will position FSU to better attract funding from federal agencies.  

Additionally, an expanded college will reap the benefits of enhanced infrastructure in areas such as academic advising, research support, information technology, fundraising, and communications, enabling it to provide more resources to students, faculty, and staff. For example, it is anticipated that more than $1 million in scholarship funding will be available in the first year of operation. This amount represents the most robust financial aid support available among any college at FSU. The college’s combined services will also provide additional support to staff members. 

Ultimately, this expansion will help the university better achieve its short- and long-term strategic goals.

The targeted date for the expansion is July 1, 2023. Certain shared services might proceed at a faster pace.

FSU Provost Jim Clark met with faculty and staff at both colleges in February 2023, as well as the College of Health and Human Sciences’ Dean’s Advisory Council and the College of Education’s Dean’s Circle. Following those meetings, each group was asked to provide written feedback about the possibility of expansion, and the faculty and staff of both colleges were formally surveyed. The results indicated that the majority of faculty and staff in both colleges supported college expansion. Additional focus group meetings were conducted by the Vice President of Research Stacey Patterson and the Vice President for Faculty Development and Advancement Janet Kistner. After taking into consideration additional feedback, Provost Clark recommended to FSU President Richard McCullough to move forward with the expansion.

A College Name and Bylaws Task Force will be tasked with developing a recommended name, which will then be voted on by faculty. The task force will be comprised of the six department chairs and Vice President for Faculty Development and Advancement Dr. Janet Kistner, who will serve as a non-voting chair.

With the new expanded college, students will have access to more resources than ever before. The new college will offer more than $1 million in scholarship support, more than any other college at FSU. Additionally, students will become a part of one of the largest colleges on FSU’s campus and, upon graduation, will be a part of the second largest living alumni network at FSU.

• Students graduating in Spring and Summer 2023 will have their current college name on their diplomas.

• Currently enrolled upper-division and graduate COE and CHHS students in Fall 2023 will be given the option to select either their former college name or the new college name to appear on their diploma. Once the new college name has been selected, students will receive correspondence in the Fall 2023 semester regarding this option. Students who go inactive and return to the university will receive a diploma with the new college name.

• If you are currently an upper-division undergraduate student in one of the BS/MS pathways within the COE or CHHS, you will be given the option to select the college name on both your BS and MS diplomas.

Students who are not yet certified to upper-division majors in one of the two colleges will graduate under the new college name.

At this time, it is not anticipated your advisor will change. Students should continue working with their current advisor.

All current degrees and majors will continue to be offered. The expanded college will be comprised of all departments and programs currently offered at the College of Education and College of Health and Human Sciences. The six academic units will continue to be: 

• Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies 

• Department of Educational Psychology & Learning Systems 

• Department of Human Development & Family Science 

• Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology 

• School of Teacher Education 

• Department of Sport Management 

No. There will be no changes to the curricular requirements for any of the degrees and majors in CHHS and the COE at this time.

There will be no changes to Summer or Fall 2023 class schedules.

No, there will be no changes to scholarships. Under the new college, more than $1 million in scholarship support is anticipated to be available within the first year of operation.

Since there will be no changes to the department, degree, and majors offered, the same faculty will still be associated with your department, major, and courses.

The new college will conduct operations in buildings previously associated with CHHS and COE (i.e. Sandels Building, William Johnston Building, Stone Building, Tully Gymnasium, etc.). At this time, it is not anticipated that there will be any changes to classroom locations.

The expansion of the college will not have an impact on any degrees already bestowed to graduates. 

Please contact the College of Education’s assistant director of communications, Josh Duke, at jmduke@fsu.edu. You may also sign up for a newsletter by using this link. 

All existing scholarships will continue to be offered. Scholarships not tied to specific programs will be awarded to students in a way that best respects the wishes and intentions of the donors. The expanded college will offer students the most scholarship support among any college on FSU’s campus, and it is anticipated the college will be able to offer more than $1 million in scholarship in its first year. 

For specific concerns, please contact Assistant Dean of Development Kevin Derryberry at kderryberry@foundation.fsu.edu. 

Please contact Assistant Dean of Development Kevin Derryberry at kderryberry@foundation.fsu.edu.