Programs in Professional Education was begun in Harpur College, offering the master of arts (MAT) and the master of science (MST) degrees in teaching for secondary school teachers.
With funding from federal and state grants, the university became home to a newly created State Technical Services (STS) program, a unique government-business relationship. This program was the first outreach effort of what was to become the Community Programs Division and eventually the Division of Continuing Studies and, now, the Division of Professional Development and Research.
In another outreach effort, Binghamton was among those to receive a Talent Search grant as part of the federal government's new War on Poverty. The early intervention program was designed to encourage young people in grades six-12 from economically disadvantaged families in the community to pursue a college education.
Thirteen students in the inaugural class received master's degrees in education.
University President Bruce Dearing proposed a School of General Studies. John A. Granito, a vice president from Bank Street College in New York City, was recruited to launch the new school and be its first dean. He was to develop a school with a flexible curriculum that could be shaped to meet the needs of area residents, particularly adult students who wanted additional education to enhance or redirect their careers.
The mission of the new School of General Studies was to "consolidate and expand the continuing education efforts of the University." Originally open only to undergraduates, the school offered bachelor's degrees to area residents whose first two years typically had been at a community college. Most students were adult, non-traditional students who worked or aspired to work in the local area.
Initially the school offered two bachelor of arts degrees: one in American studies and the other in social sciences.
Bachelor of technology programs in electrical, mechanical and electro-mechanical technology were developed to meet the needs of local industry.
Bachelor of science programs in liberal studies and applied social sciences were added to round out the degree options for transfer students. A bachelor of science program (society and technology) with emphases in computer studies and transportation was also added.
The master of arts in social science (MASS) degree program was transferred from Harpur College and adapted to meet the needs of adults in the region who were seeking "positions of responsibility and leadership in fields where the social sciences can provide valuable background and insight."
Dean Granito formally merged all the units into the School of General Studies and Professional Education with the unwieldy acronym of SGSPE. The school, however, retained four distinct Divisions with distinct missions: the Division of Career and Interdisciplinary Studies, the Division of Technical Studies, the Division of Professional Education, and the Division of Community Programs.
Through the Career and Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS) and Technical Divisions, the school attempted to address disparate community education needs. The CIS Division offered degree tracks in interdisciplinary social science and business. Technical studies leading to bachelor of engineering technology degrees focused on specific technical and engineering skills.
The Professional Education Division attracted practicing teachers as well as traditional college students to its master's degree programs.
The Community Programs Division housed a full spectrum of non-credit courses and a variety of grant programs. In 1979 the Division offered the first workshop on management skills and developing awareness for professional women and secretaries.
The Technical Leadership Program was placed under the Community Programs umbrella in response to requests from the area's engineering-dominated employers. The non-credit certificate program was designed for students with a technical background who wanted to move into management of technical specialists.
The Thomas A. Watson School of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology was formed and the bachelor of technology programs were transferred to the new engineering school. The computer science/information science BS program remained as a separate Department with the School of General Studies until 1987, when it too was transferred to Watson and combined with the Graduate Department of Computer Science.
The year 1983 also brought new leadership to the school with the appointment of James C. Votruba as it second dean to replace Granito, who had taken on a larger University role as vice president for public service and external affairs.
With the transfer of the computer science programs to the Watson School, the school encompassed three Divisions: Career and Interdisciplinary Studies, Community Programs and Education. Its focus had been more finely tuned, and Votruba was among those arguing that the school's name needed to change as well. The School of General Studies and Professional Education was renamed the School of Education and Human Development.
The Career and Interdisciplinary Studies Division offered bachelor of science degrees in liberal studies and applied social science and a bachelor of arts degree in social science. Students could concentrate within their major in American studies, business, criminal justice, human services, health systems and peace studies. The master of arts in social science degree rounded out the graduate program.
James Votruba was tapped to serve as acting provost and vice president for academic affairs. Linda Biemer, an associate professor of education, became interim dean.
Linda Biemer is appointed the school's third dean.
The Division of Career and Interdisciplinary Studies was renamed the Division of Human Development and the bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in human development replaced the former degrees.
In the fall of 1992, the school accepted its first class of 11 doctoral degree students. After a lengthy process, the doctor of education degree in educational theory and practice was approved.
Curriculum revisions took place for the master of science in education degrees in reading, special education and elementary education. The school added MSEd degree programs in French, Spanish and chemistry.
In a collaborative effort with SUNY Albany, the school admitted its first candidates for the MSW/MASS degree. Using a combination of distance learning and classes in Albany to supplement MASS courses at Binghamton, students earn degrees at both institutions.
The School of Education and Human Development admits its first cohort of freshmen students to pursue BA and BS degrees in human development. Previously, the programs served only upper-Department students. The school moves into Academic B in August bringing all of the components of SEHD into one building.
Linda Biemer retires. Ernest Rose is appointed the school's fourth dean.
The school receives formal approval of a Master of Social Work program and admits the first cohorts of full- and part-time students for the fall semester. The Division of Social Work is created to house the new program. The last cohort of students in the MSW/MASS degree is graduated and the joint dual degree program is terminated.
Dean Ernest Rose resigns to become Academic Vice President at Loyola Mary Mount University in Los Angeles. Associate Professor of Education, Robert Carpenter is appointed interim dean. Long-term Associate Dean Theodore Rector retires. The Provost initiates activities to separate the Division of Education into a School and to create a new college with the Departments of Human Development and Social Work in combination with the Public Administration Program in the Graduate School.
Effective July 1st 2006 the School of Education and Human Development becomes the School of Education and College of Community and Public Affairs including Departments of Human Development, Public Administration and Social Work. Construction is underway on the Community Development and Education Center in downtown Binghamton which will house CCPA starting in August 2007.
