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School of Education, Counseling and Human Development

The mission of the School of Education, Counseling and Human Development is to provide high quality educational experiences to learners across the education and human science fields and to generate knowledge of human behavior, learning science and interpersonal relationships.

The School of Education, Counseling and Human Development creates a unique niche across programs in education and human science fields that emphasizes developmental sciences and the science of learning. By more fully integrating human development and education, we will be able to better ground teacher education in the context of developmental and cultural relevance and we will further strengthen our offerings in human development by grounding them in the science of learning. Both areas underscore the importance of how learning across the lifespan develops in diverse learners. Diverse here references not only differences in cognitive and learning styles, but differences in culture, socioeconomic status and lifestyle.

The Fishback Center for Early Childhood Education

The Fishback Center for Early Childhood Education's philosophy is grounded in social constructivism and inquiry-based learning. Children are capable, competent, and able to build their knowledge through exploration and social interaction. The program is in conjunction with the early childhood education program at SDSU. The classrooms are led by SDSU faculty, who not only teach children, but also support and mentor college students while they gain hands-on experience in teaching. One of the components to the program is our observation booths where families and SDSU students can observe and learn from children engaging in activities in an unobtrusive manner.

For more information, contact:

  • headshot 2022

    Anne Karabon

    Wendell and Marlys Thompson Director of the School of Education, Counseling and Human Development

    School of Education, Counseling and Human Development

    Teacher Education

    Counseling and Human Resource Development

    College of Education and Human Sciences

    Human Development and Family Studies

    Exploratory Studies Program

School of Education, Counseling and Human Development News

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A ribbon cutting was held Oct. 11 for the Thompson Center at South Dakota State University.

SDSU celebrates grand opening of Thompson Center

The Thompson Center, South Dakota’s most comprehensive counseling education center, and its supporters were celebrated at a grand opening event on the South Dakota State University campus Oct. 11.

Experiencing SDSU in Sioux Falls

From NASA rovers and jumping challenges to medieval weapons and a virtual reality exploration of the ocean, South Dakota State University Day at the Washington Pavilion gave students and visitors a taste of what SDSU has to offer. More than a dozen academic programs took over the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls Sept. 20-21 to showcase the many different opportunities at SDSU in a first-of-its-kind event.

The Yellow & Blue Podcast | Mental Health in Agriculture | S1E5

Associate professor and Extension specialist Andrea Bjornestad is researching key mental health issues affecting individuals in the agriculture industry. Her research has gained regional attention, prompting others to take action and work to provide resources to farmers, ranchers and families. Learn more about her research, outreach and what's available in a critical time of need.