At the time, the School of Education (SOE) occupied rented space in an office park, and enrolled approximately 750 FTE students. The School grants three Master's degrees: Master of Arts, Master of Education, and Master of Arts in Teaching. A Doctor of Education degree is offered in Leadership Studies and Learning and Teaching.

The impetus for this project came from a desire to create a facility that would accommodate the School's needs in a professional manner, and to make a "statement" about the important role of the SOE on the University of San Diego campus. The programming process included interviews with faculty, staff, and students to determine the facility rationale and goals and to establish space needs. Additionally, Rickes Associates (RA) conducted a review of office space, academic programs, and the impact of increased enrollment.

RA recommended a total program of 56,000 assignable square feet. The main programmatic elements in the new School of Education included dedicated instructional space, faculty and administrative offices, significantly expanded student space, as well as space to support various entrepreneurial activities. (2002, updated in 2004)