In order to serve the construction and development goals of world-class universities, first-class disciplines, and internationalization of higher education in China, and fully promote the advantages of high-level higher education at home and abroad, with the approval of the Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Normal University and the University of Kansas established the Zhejiang Normal University Kansas University Joint School of Education (hereinafter referred to as the 'Joint School of Education') through a strong alliance to cultivate undergraduate and graduate students. The primary education major (teacher training) offered by the Joint Education Institute (enrollment code 040107H), relying on the advantages of the education disciplines and teaching staff of the two universities, began enrollment in 2023.

Training objectives

The primary education major of the Joint Education Institute aims to 'run education that satisfies the people', based on national teacher education standards, based on local and global perspectives, upholds the educational philosophy of cultivating students' independent thinking ability and innovative spirit, and implements the practical standard of 'not only teaching, but also teaching well'. The National Teacher Education Training Center, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education and Application Relying on national and provincial-level innovation platforms such as the Zhejiang Provincial Key Research Base for Philosophy and Social Sciences, we fully utilize the educational resources of the University of Kansas, including globally renowned professors and excellent disciplines, with the aim of cultivating high-level composite outstanding talents with open global competence, solid core discipline literacy, excellent international communication ability, and comprehensive problem-solving ability.

Educational conditions

High level disciplinary platform

The United College of Education actively relies on Zhejiang Normal University and the University of Kansas in the United States to carry out talent cultivation, academic research, international exchanges, and social services in primary education. Zhejiang Normal University's Education has entered the '2021 Best Discipline Ranking for Soft Science in China' and ranks in the top 10% of the country. The School of Education and Humanities at the University of Kansas ranked 17th in the 2022 U.S. News ranking of the best educational colleges in the United States and 9th among public education colleges. Education is one of the key disciplines of the university, ranking 18th in the 2021 TFE Education Ranking of American universities, with a high academic reputation and strength.

We will adhere to the idea of 'disciplinary construction driving professional development' and fully leverage the existing national and provincial disciplinary platforms, such as the National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center - Teacher Education Training Center, and the provincial key universities building first-class construction disciplines - Education; Key Research Base for Humanities and Social Sciences in Provincial Universities - Teacher Education; Zhejiang Basic Education Research Center - Primary Education Research; Provincial 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center - Integrated Training of 'UGS' for Outstanding Primary School Teachers; Efforts will be made to promote professional construction and development, and to promote the cultivation of outstanding talents.

Internationalized teaching staff

The teaching team of the Joint Education Institute has gathered excellent faculty from Zhejiang Normal University and the University of Kansas, establishing a teaching team with an international perspective and competitiveness. As an undergraduate major at the Joint Education Institute, one-third of primary education teachers come from the University of Kansas and undertake relevant core courses. This major will introduce top grade teachers from primary school disciplines to optimize the structure of professional teaching staff; At the same time, relying on the mobile station of special level teachers, a team of part-time teachers with significant influence in basic education will be formed through short-term employment, part-time work, and other forms.

Advanced teaching facilities

Joint Education Institute emphasizes the combination of theory and practice in the cultivation of primary education talents, and fully leverages the scientific research advantages, teaching team advantages, and practical teaching community advantages of the education disciplines of the two universities. The teaching facilities and practices will fully leverage the national teacher education and training center, the provincial-level extracurricular practical education base for college students, and the 'Zhejiang Normal University - Four Metropolitan Area New Normal Practice Education Center' The role of provincial-level teacher development schools reflects the informatization, internationalization, research-oriented, and practicality in talent cultivation.

Professional characteristics

Training mode

Joint Education Institute implements a '4+0' training model for primary education majors, which means that students can study in China for four years and enjoy the training methods of international prestigious schools. Upon meeting the corresponding conditions, they can obtain a degree certificate from the University of Kansas, Zhejiang Normal University, and graduation certificate. High level and international courses, teachers, and resources enable you to 'not only teach, but also teach well'.

Cultivation pathway

Adopting a combination of theory and practice, with 'small class teaching, bilingual teaching, and teacher training', students in this major can have a bilingual environment and enjoy the educational resources of international prestigious schools without going abroad; Enable students who want to pursue further education or experience abroad to achieve seamless integration not only in terms of language, major, and thinking; To enable students who want to become outstanding teachers to perceive a rich teaching experience, immerse themselves in management problem solving, participate in real teaching research, and help cultivate outstanding future teachers with an international perspective and equal emphasis on teaching, management, and research abilities.

Graduation Prospects

This major integrates the strengths of domestic and international education institutions, with a focus on international perspectives and student development. Graduates can engage in teaching, management, and research as primary school teachers; You can choose to pursue further education, and the dual education/degree of graduates provides unique conditions for students to pursue further education in China and the United States; You can also engage in teaching research in educational science research institutions or related management work in educational administrative departments.

Enrollment Plan and Fees

Joint Education Institute plans to enroll 90 students in the primary education major in 2024 (included in the national enrollment plan for ordinary universities);

Tuition fee: 80000 yuan/student/academic year (subject to approval by the pricing department);

Accommodation fee: 1000-1600 yuan/student/academic year.

Future development

Deeply implement the fundamental task of cultivating morality and talents, adhere to the opening up of education to the outside world, promote educational innovation, adhere to digital empowerment education, serve student development, adhere to diversified teaching evaluation, and promote the construction of an educational power and the cultivation of new talents in the era.