Arizona State University
Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching & Learning Innovation
OVERVIEW:
The Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College (MLFTC) at Arizona State University is a nationally recognized leader dedicated to revolutionizing the field of education. Founded on the belief that education is the most critical driver of a thriving society, MLFTC prepares highly skilled teachers, visionary educational leaders, and rigorous researchers across all learning sectors.
Choosing a career in education is choosing one of the most rewarding paths possible. The MLFTC makes this meaningful career accessible, personalized, and transformative for you. Offering a range of flexible program formats and entry points, paired with individualized academic and support services. With the result being graduates who make a tangible, positive impact on individual learners, schools, and communities. Join us: Our undergraduate programs prepare you to excel as an educator, while our graduate and professional programs empower you to lead as a principal, policymaker, or scholar.
ROLES:
Graphic Design
Brand Design
Art Direction
BACKGROUND:
The college is distinguished by its deep commitment to innovation, utilizing cutting-edge research to design and scale new models for learning—from early childhood development through higher education—thereby ensuring every learner has access to a powerful and effective educational experience. This unwavering commitment to excellence extends beyond the classroom, directly influencing policy, practice, and community engagement both regionally and globally.
The college operates under the mission to "create knowledge, mobilize people and take action to improve education," driven by a core value called Principled Innovation. This approach demands that all activities—from academic programs to strategic initiatives—deliver positive social value and prepare children to thrive.
Research & Specialized Centers:
MLFTC houses research organizations like the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE), which looks at systemic barriers to equity.
It also focuses on specialized areas such as the Center for Whole-Child Education and projects dedicated to integrating STEM, Literacy, and Language for English Language Learners, showcasing a commitment to addressing complex, real-world educational challenges.
Academic Excellence & Reach:
MLFTC is consistently recognized as a top graduate college of education in the U.S. It stands out as one of the few colleges to excel at both teacher preparation and world-class scholarly research. It is a leader in education-related funded research, receiving substantial funding annually. The college offers a vast array of programs, including:
Undergraduate Degrees: Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Educational Studies.
Graduate Degrees (Master's and Doctoral): Programs in Educational Leadership (Principalship), Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education, Learning Design and Technologies, and Education for Planetary Futures.
Online Leadership: The college is consistently ranked in the top tiers for its online Master's programs in areas like Educational Administration and Curriculum and Instruction, making quality education accessible to professionals nationwide.
Innovation in the Workforce (Next Education Workforce):
MLFTC is at the forefront of redesigning education with its Next Education Workforce initiative. This program partners with schools across multiple states to create new team-based staffing models.
The goal is to redesign the traditional single-teacher classroom, allowing educators to specialize, advance their careers, and provide more personalized learning opportunities for students.
CHALLENGE:
Partnering with the leadership team at the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College (MLFTC), we developed a unique brand voice and visual presence rooted in the core Arizona State University (ASU) standards. Recognizing the restrictive nature of the university's common brand guidelines, we executed a unique creative approach that allowed the team to powerfully emphasize their mission, extensive reach, and, most importantly, their core values.
The resulting asset suite effectively delivered MLFTC's overarching message while emphasizing the fundamental importance of interconnectedness and interpersonal engagement. This strategy reinforced the college’s vision: creating powerful educational systems built to foster deep and meaningful learning experiences that prioritize forming strong relationships within the community.
RESULTS:
Enrollment Data and Trends
While exact 2022 enrollment increase numbers for the college alone aren't fully detailed, the overall data points to high and growing enrollment, aligning with the college's strategy of combining access and excellence:
Largest Graduate Enrollment: As of the 2021 data used for the 2023 rankings, MLFTC reported the largest graduate enrollment (4,833 students) among all universities included in the U.S. News graduate rankings.
High Total Enrollment: Recent figures show the college has a total of over 10,000 students (graduate and undergraduate).
ASU Online Growth: The college is one of only four universities ranked in the top 15 for both overall graduate rankings and online master's degree rankings, reflecting significant growth and accessibility through its online programs (ASU Online and ASU Sync).
Specific Enrollment: One of the largest graduate programs at ASU in Fall 2022 was Special Education, with 2,462 students enrolled.
The Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation (MLFTC) received significant accolades in 2022, primarily related to its graduate program rankings and research funding. There are also indications of high and increasing enrollment, especially at the graduate level.
Key Accolades from 2022 (Based on 2023 Rankings)
In 2022, the college's graduate programs were highly recognized in the U.S. News & World Report's 2023 Best Graduate Schools of Education rankings:
Overall Graduate Ranking: Placed No. 12 in the nation among all universities.
Public University Ranking: Ranked No. 5 among all public universities.
Funded Research: Ranked No. 1 in the survey for education-related funded research, reporting a total of $73.5 million.
Top-Ranked Specialty Programs
Several of the college's graduate specialty programs were also ranked among the best in the nation:
No. 11 – Best Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Programs
No. 12 – Best Master's in Elementary Education Programs
No. 12 – Best Master's in Special Education Programs
No. 15 – Best Master's in Educational Administration Programs
No. 17 – Best Master's in Secondary Education Programs
