A Brief History of GCU and the College of Education

While walking around campus, or looking at pictures online, have you ever thought to yourself, “How old is Grand Canyon University? It looks so new!” Our modern suite-style dorms, new classroom buildings and 7,000-seat GCU Arena may be misleading when it comes to the age of our school.

Did you know:

• Grand Canyon University was founded in 1949
• GCU’s first campus was located in Prescott, Arizona
• GCU relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in 1951
• GCU has a rich history of providing high-quality education programs

Continue reading to get a more detailed recap of GCU’s exciting history and the legacy that has followed:

GCU’s History

The faculty at Grand Canyon University has continued to embrace their passion for education since the day the college was founded in 1949. In the early 2000’s, GCU struggled with financial support. To counter this hardship, our school began to implement new business practices, one of which was the decision to become a for-profit university.

During this transition, we placed a high importance on enhancing our curriculum in our nursing and education programs, as well as providing more opportunities for working professionals. To this day, we continue to adapt and advance our curriculum in these areas. Our student population and campus resources have continued to expand, and we now offer a wide variety of degrees in differing subjects in STEM fields, fine arts and more, in addition to top-quality teacher preparation programs.

GCU’s College of Education

GCU has strong roots in offering education degrees that prepare students to pursue their calling to education. If you have ever dreamed of going to school as an early childhood education major, an elementary education major or a secondary education major, GCU is the perfect place to be!

Our small class sizes make it easy to engage with your peers and instructors for a more involved learning experience. Our passionate faculty members deliver a rigorous curriculum to ensure that you will be provided with the necessary knowledge and skills for today’s diverse schools. In addition, our faculty encourages a spirit of servant leadership as you experience student teaching and move into your career as an educator. Finally, the College of Education Promise ensures that you will receive support if you need it throughout your first year as a new teacher.

If you would like to learn more about earning an education degree from GCU, visit our website or contact us today to learn more about Grand Canyon University’s College of Education!

Written by Jessica Meyer, a senior earning a marketing degree at GCU.