The designated undergraduate liberal arts university in the UNC system, UNC Asheville offers 30 majors in the Arts, Humanities, Natural and Social Sciences, Professional and Preprofessional areas leading to the baccalaureate degree as well as a master of liberal arts program. Nationally recognized for its required Humanities sequence and the Undergraduate Research Program, which promotes close faculty-student interaction and unique research experiences in all disciplines. The Asheville Experience emphasizes an integrative approach to learning and development. The University of North Carolina at Asheville is committed to equality of educational opportunity, and seeks to recruit and enroll a diverse student body. Our scenic 265-acre campus is located in the vibrant city of Asheville, a mecca for the arts, music, festivals and moviemaking. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a haven for both urban and outdoor adventures.

UNC Asheville's reputation as a high-quality public liberal arts university extends beyond the state. UNC Asheville has received national recognition for its integrative approach to the liberal arts, specifically its Undergraduate Research and Humanities programs. The noteworthy combination of innovative academic programs, interdisciplinary study and low cost draws praise from the national college guidebooks annually. The popular Fiske Guide to Colleges ranks UNCA among its top 20 Best Buys in public higher education, saying, "The University of North Carolina at Asheville offers all the perks that are generally associated with pricier private institutions: rigorous academics, small classes and a beautiful setting. And it does it for a fraction of the cost. All the ingredients for a superior college experience lie in wait at Asheville: strong academics, dedicated professors and an administration that continues to push for excellence." The Princeton Review: the Best 311 Colleges, lists UNCA in this select group, saying, "For students who seek a public education in a smaller campus environment, this is a great choice." And U.S. News & World Report's annual college rankings places UNCA fourth in the nation among public liberal arts colleges.

The current campus comprises about 30 buildings for classrooms, administration, residence and recreation, with a new Master Plan in place for expansion over 20 years. The newest buildings on the scenic mountain campus are two residence halls, South Ridge and West Ridge; a state-of-the-art Health and Fitness Center, which adjoins Justice Athletic Center; and the Dining Hall. UNCA's location one mile north of downtown Asheville (population 75,000) is convenient to the city's amenities of shopping, restaurants, art and crafts galleries, and nightlife, and it is minutes from some of the country's most spectacular mountain scenery and outdoor activities in the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Under the leadership of Anne Ponder, who took office October 1, 2005, UNCA is charting a new course toward building the premier public liberal arts university in the country, with emphasis on academic excellence, community partnerships and service learning.

As the designated liberal arts university in the University of North Carolina system, UNC Asheville emphasizes a personalized undergraduate education in a close-knit learning community. Small classes, valuable faculty-student interactions, relevant course work, and meaningful field experiences are the hallmarks of our Department of Education program and the overall UNC Asheville experience.

Our education students gain a perspective on life through our Integrated Liberal Studies program, depth of knowledge by studying in their major and resourcefulness in teaching through Education course work and a licensure program that is supported by extensive collaboration with area schools. We enable our students to gain the qualities and skills to succeed as teachers in the 21st century.

The faculty of the Department of Education at UNCA believe that a liberal arts education with a major in an academic discipline combined with training in skillful pedagogy and development of professional dispositions is the best program to prepare undergraduate candidates to become teachers. We believe that through attainment of discipline-specific knowledge, concentrated study of pedagogy, and training in a professional approach to teaching, our candidates develop into teachers who are prepared to meet the multifaceted needs of young people. The ultimate goal of the Department of Education at UNCA is to provide highly qualified teachers who will positively impact the children in the public school system and the profession in general.

We want our students to be:

1. Knowledgeable teachers who demonstrate depth and breadth in subject area content, pedagogy, instructional technology, and psychology as it applies to teaching.
   
2. Well-informed teachers who are aware of state and national professional standards and can apply them in the classroom.
3. Flexible teachers who are capable of performing successfully in various teaching-learning situations.
4. Creative teachers who appreciate the uniqueness of every individual and who use innovative methods to help all students meet curriculum standards.
5. Resourceful teachers who create, access, and utilize effective instructional tools, technologies, assessments and community resources.
6. Collaborative teachers who demonstrate awareness of and appreciation for the communities in which they teach and who foster mutually beneficial relationships with the community.
7. Responsible teachers who exemplify the skills, behaviors, dispositions, and responsibilities expected of members of the teaching profession.
8. Reflective teachers who maintain a commitment to excellence and to the continuous assessment, adaptation, and improvement of the teaching-learning process.
9. Humane teachers who value the dignity of every individual and foster a supportive climate of intellectual inquiry, passion for learning, and social justice.

For more information about UNC Asheville's Department of Education, click here.