The vision of the College of Education is to be a leader in the preparation of urban professionals.

We envision an institution that substantially improves the intellectual lives of students by offering world-class education, conducting world-class research and otherwise serving our community. Our well prepared, dynamic, and intellectually engaged faculty works within a comfortable academic environment with the benefit of state-of-the-art technology. We serve a qualified, diverse student body, the City of Memphis, and the regional, national, and international communities.

Quality teaching is our paramount concern. We seek to enhance all of our programs: undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. Therefore, our instructional activities must be systematically improved to support the development of faculty, staff, and students. Quality instruction occurs in myriad ways, and our innovations will be shared through research, and participation in the professional dialog that occurs within and among academic disciplines.

The college fosters relationships that enhance our mission. Partnerships make available the services that we are best able to provide. Our creativity serves the needs of Metropolitan Memphis and the national and international communities. Programs that meet these needs must be created and sustained to help the college achieve its goals of excellence in teaching endeavors, research efforts, and service activities.

The college approaches its research mission in an evolutionary way, providing structures and opportunities for individual development. Scholarship is important if the college is to respond to the needs of the communities. A strong, college-wide research agenda allows all faculty members the opportunity to engage in this fundamental academic endeavor.