In 1945, by agreement between the Government of Alberta and the University of Alberta, teacher education became the responsibility of the University. Prior to that time the education of the vast majority of prospective teachers was carried out in the Normal Schools of the province, one of which had operated in Calgary since 1906. The Calgary Branch of the University of Alberta opened on the former Normal School/Technical Institute campus in north Calgary in 1946, and all students in attendance registered in the Faculty of Education. The program was provided by faculty in Education and in Arts and Science. A Dean of Education was appointed in 1962, but the Faculty remained part of the U of A Faculty of Education until 1963 when a separate Faculty of Education was formally established in Calgary. Calgary Branch staff meetings were begun in 1945, and Calgary faculty attended the Faculty of Education Council in Edmonton.
Associate Dean (Academic) (1961-1985) had responsiblity for curriculum, calendar, early childhood education, practicum, inservice, general academic matters. Associate Dean (Administration) (1950-1973) had responsiblity for chair or membership of university and faculty committees, membership of external organizations, representation to government, internal faculty matters. Associate Dean (Student Affairs) (1966-1974) had responsibility for admissions, scholarships, grade summaries, curriculum, new building plans.
In 2013, the Faculty of Education was renamed the Werklund School of Education.
Deans of the Faculty of Education: H.T. Coutts, 1960-1961; H.S. Baker, 1961-1970; A.A. Gibb, 1970-1971 (Acting Dean); John Macdonald, 1971-1975; F.D. Oliva, 1975-1976 (Acting Dean); R.F. Lawson, 1976-1986; F.D. Oliva, 1986-1994; W.I.S. Winchester, 1994-1999; A.V. LaGrange, 1999-2007; B. Clark, 2007-2009 (Acting Dean); D. Sumara, 2009-.