Early years History of Arizona State University

principal hiram bradford farmer opened territorial normal school’s 4 classroom building 33 students on february 8, 1886, first institution of higher education open in arizona. normal school charged provide instruction of persons, both male , female, in art of teaching, , in various branches pertain common school education; also, give instruction in mechanical arts , in husbandry , agricultural chemistry, in fundamental law of united states, , in regards rights , duties of citizens.

admission requirements minimum age of 16 years , successful completion of entrance examination. advanced placement examination accepted 22 weeks of attendance. principal farmer taught subjects. “sub-normal” classes offered students lacking high school diploma until 1923. upon completion of requirements diploma , teaching certificate awarded.

in 1899, requirement diploma increased three-year course test of proficiency in academic , professional (teacher instruction) studies. 1900 there 6 faculty members , 131 students.

as result of opening of normal school @ flagstaff, in 1901 legislature instituted official , legal name tempe normal school presented in official publications starting in 1903. department of manual arts (1906) , classes in agriculture (1912) introduced curriculum in accordance requirements of founding legislation. on march 20, 1911 president theodore roosevelt visited tempe normal school , spoke community steps of old main, 2 days after dedicated roosevelt dam. in thirteen-minute speech presented vision education of children, educational training , development of valley.

in 1920s alumni association led political efforts rename normal school , advance more robust teachers college curriculum. in 1923 admission requirements raised high school diploma. tempe state teachers college established in 1925 boasted 41 faculty members , 672 students, , 1929 arizona state teacher’s college offered 4 year-college curriculum leading bachelor of education. two-year curriculum available secure certificate of eligibility teach in arizona elementary schools.

students completing four-year course eligible graduate work in education @ university, , receive secondary certificates permitting them teach in arizona high schools. requirement diploma , grade school teaching certificates increased three-year curriculum.