Our History

The education program at Loyola began in 1946 as one of five majors leading to the Bachelor of Science in Social Science (BSSS) in the Evening School and Adult Education Division. This was the first unit of the College to admit both men and women to its programs. In fall 1949, through the efforts of Fr. John E. Wise, S.J., the Evening School and Adult Education Division became the Graduate Education and Evening School of Loyola College, and offered its first graduate degree program - a Masters of Arts in Education.

The purpose of graduate study in education was to “first, further training of teachers, counselors and administrators in public and private schools; second, the preparation for further research and study in education fields” (p. 32, 1949-50 Graduate Education and Evening School Catalog). In 1971, Education became a department reporting to the College of Arts and Sciences dean. In 2008, Loyola's Board of Trustees voted to move forward with a planned School of Education and it was officially dedicated on October 14, 2009, under Founding Dean Peter C. Murrell, Jr., Ph.D.