Seattle Pacific University was established in 1891 on the north slope of Seattle's Queen Anne Hill. It was the outgrowth of a commitment by pioneer members of the Free Methodist Church to prepare students for Christian service around the world. The first building, now Alexander Hall, was built on the original 5 acres deeded to the fledgling school and still stands as one of the historic buildings located on what is known as the Tiffany Loop. Peterson Hall followed in 1905 and became the home of today's School of Education in 1987. This storied building celebrated its 100th year in 2005.

The university has been identified by several names over the years. It was originally called the Seattle Seminary, eventually serving students in the elementary, intermediate, and high school grades. It became known as the Seattle Seminary and College in 1913 after college-level courses entered the curriculum. Two years later its name became Seattle Pacific College. Finally, due to its organization and comprehensive programs, the College became Seattle Pacific University in 1977.

In 1921, the College established a Normal Training School to prepare individuals to become teachers. Progress was made so quickly that the two-year Normal Training School was approved by a joint committee from the State Board of Education and the University of Washington. The three-year Normal Training School was approved by the State Board of Education in 1932 and fully accredited by the Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools the following year, three years before full accreditation was obtained by the College. The first Master of Education Degree was awarded at the end of the 1954-1955 school year. The School of Education received accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) in 1964. In 1976, the continuing education program was initiated when SPIRAL, a catalog of courses for the lifelong learner, was mailed to 15,000 homes in the Greater Seattle area. Continuing its commitment to graduate education, the doctoral degree program was begun in 1993 at the request of school superintendents in the region, and the university's first online master's degree program was established in 1999.

The original normal school program has grown into today's School of Education, offering an undergraduate and post-baccalaureate teacher certification program, 5 master's degree programs, 4 graduate certification-only programs, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership. An online program allows students anywhere in the world to earn a master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction. Approximately 600 students are enrolled in these programs. While many students train to become teachers, others prepare for roles as school counselors, principals, superintendents, district office personnel, or professors in higher education. At the 2007 Commencement, 5 doctorates and 116 master's degrees were awarded to education graduate students, and approximately 122 students received teacher certification along with a bachelor's degree.

Building upon the dream of the university's founders, Seattle Pacific University's vision is to engage the culture and change the world by graduating students of competence and character. This vision guides the School of Education's mission: to prepare educators for service and leadership in schools, communities, the nation and the world, by developing their professional competence and character within the framework of Christian faith and values. Notably, the President's Citation for the Most Outstanding Graduate Student was awarded to students in the School Counseling Program in 2001 and 2003. The 2001 and 2004 recipients of the President's Citation for the Most Outstanding Undergraduate Student were students in the Special Education and the Residency Teacher Certification programs, respectively.

Since establishment of the first teacher education program at Seattle Pacific University, faculty members have worked to develop education programs of quality, rigor, and relevance - based upon current research and best practice in the field. All faculty members hold the doctorate and teach their own classes. They are known for mentoring their students during and following their educational programs. They model lifelong learning through scholarly activities of their own, publishing in their areas of expertise and presenting at professional conferences.