College of Education & Health Professions

University West, Suite 228
3007 N Ben Wilson, Victoria Texas 77901
Phone: 361.570.4371 Fax: 361.580.5580
Email: education@uhv.edu
Website: uhv.edu/education/

Mission

The mission of the College of Education & Health Professions is to contribute to the total educational experience of candidates enrolled at the University of Houston-Victoria. In teaching, research, and service the college’s faculty is committed to preparing qualified professionals for varied educational roles, teaching, counseling, and administration. The College of Education & Health Professions promotes an educational system responsive to the challenges of a modern society.

Goals

In order to achieve the mission of the College of Education & Health Professions, the faculty is committed to the following goals:

Encouragement of ethical practice
Meaningful faculty-student interactions
Promotion of learning as a life-long process
Achievement of student and faculty academic excellence
Appreciation of student diversity and a multicultural society
Support of a practical foundation through extensive field experiences
Creation of an educational environment that supports critical thinking
Innovative instruction and an understanding of the use of technology in learning

Initial undergraduate preparation of prospective elementary teachers is provided through the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. Graduate preparation of teachers, professional certification programs and preparation for specialized service in education are provided through the Master of Education degree programs. Initial preparation for prospective secondary teachers is available through courses supplementing Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences and the Bachelor of Business Administration in the College of Business. Appropriate certification sequences are also available for persons who have earned degrees in academic fields offered in the public school curriculum. Although there is a growing emphasis on laboratory and clinical approaches and on directed field experiences, an appropriate balance between professional and academic emphasis is sought in all programs.

One of the prime objectives of the college is to acquaint its students with various cultural subgroups that characterize the college’s area of influence. The prospective student should consequently anticipate the opportunity to work with learners in a wide variety of educational settings.

The University of Houston-Victoria educator preparation program is accredited by the Texas Education Agency. Information about program participants and finishers is reported annually to the Texas Education Agency and can be viewed on-line at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/.

Education & Health Professions_Undergraduate Table of Programs

Certification and Supplements

The following certifications and supplements are offered through the College of Education & Health Professions with the degrees being awarded through the Colleges of Liberal Arts & Social Science or College of Business. Consult theTeacher Education Records Office or refer to Requirements for Specific Certifications later in this section of the catalog for complete information.

Post-Baccalaureate candidates seeking Initial Certification or Supplemental Certifications must have a deficiency plan or certification plan on file in the Educator Preparation Office (EPO).

Important Notice on Certification: All eligible students seek teacher certification from the Texas Education Agency. Eligibility to seek certification is approved through the College of Education & Health Professions Educator Preparation Office.

Candidates seeking teacher certification from the Texas Education Agency will be subject to additional and/or new requirements as set forth by legislative mandates or action taken by the Texas Education Agency.

Admission to a teacher certification program is admission to a professional program and is separate and apart from admission to the university.

Educator Preparation Office (EPO)

Mission: The mission of the Educator Preparation Office is to ensure positive communication to graduate, undergraduate, and post-baccalaureate candidates seeking degrees and/or certification in an ever changing field.

The Educator Preparation Office in the College of Education & Health Professions is a service area for all candidates seeking an education degree and/or teacher/educator certification. The Certification Analysts provide preliminary advising on degree plans as well as teacher/educator certification plans for Graduate, Undergraduate and Post-baccalaureate candidates.

Teacher Certification

Individuals planning to teach in accredited Texas schools must obtain a Texas teaching certificate. UH-Victoria and the College of Education & Health Professions offer bachelor’s degree programs which meet the Texas Education Agency certification requirements. Upon completion of the requirements for certain degrees in teacher education, the individual may be eligible to apply for certification. Candidates that hold a degree in a specific content area may be eligible to complete a teacher certification program as a post-baccalaureate.

Since May 1, 1986, in order to be approved for teacher certification or any graduate level certification, applicants, including those holding valid out-of-state certificates, have been required to achieve a satisfactory level of performance on examination prescribed by the State Board of Education. The current test is the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES).

Teacher Certification Application
This certification process applies to ALL education candidates seeking initial and supplemental certifications from the Texas Education Agency.

Application for graduation and application for certification are different processes. They must be applied for separately and have different requirements.

Once all requirements are met, the candidate will apply directly to the Texas Education Agency at www.tea.state.tx.us/. Candidates are responsible for updating and maintaining current information on the SBEC/TEA website (www.tea.state.tx.us).
A fee, payable to the Texas Education Agency, is required for each application.
After the candidate applies and pays the fee, the university will then recommend the student to the state for the appropriate certification.

If an out-of-state or out-of-country teaching certificate is held, the candidate should call the Texas Education Agency support center for information at 512-463-9734.

TExES Academy

Students seeking EC - 6, 4 - 8, and Secondary Certifications must participate in the TExES Academy

Purpose:

The TExES Academy was established to provide University of Houston-Victoria College of Education & Health Professions students seeking Texas educator certifications with

Eligibility requirements required for registering for official exams
information concerning the state examinations (TExES)
practice tests
study recommendations prior to taking the examinations

Goal:

The goal of the TExES Academy is to provide students with the tools to pass the TExES on their first attempt.

Students admitted into the Teacher Education Program will automatically be enrolled in the TExES Academy Learn 9 classroom. In the TExES Academy Learn 9 classroom students will find information about when to take their certification exams and how to prepare for their certification exams.

There are requirements and restrictions for students who are no longer actively enrolled at UHV. Please see the VOICE program website for more information.

Graduate Program Degrees

Education & Health Professions_Graduate Table of Programs

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

Graduate programs in The School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development address the need for advanced academic and professional preparation of school personnel. In addition, degrees and specializations are offered that address concerns about children, families, and society and assist people of all ages in pursuing life-long learning and personal growth.

Graduate Degree Requirements

Prerequisites
The student entering a program, which leads to a graduate-level professional certification, will be expected to have at least 18 semester hours of professional education courses and appropriate teaching or related experience. Students seeking the M.Ed. degree without certification need not show the 18 semester hours of professional education courses but are expected to meet the general requirements for entrance to graduate studies as found in the section on admissions. Students seeking the M.Ed. degree with certification from TEA will be required to take the GRE if their GPA does not meet the minimum requirement of 2.5.

Additional Admission Requirements:

Curriculum & Instruction, Special Education, and Adult & Higher Education
1. The student must submit two letters of reference from practicing educators, such as supervisors or other professional school personnel.
2. The student must provide a letter explaining their purposes for pursuing the degree and their expectations of the degree.
3. Students must submit scores on either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) directly from the testing service to UHV if they have not met the 2.5 GPA requirement.
4. Students applying to the Special Education ABA program must have a 2.75 GPA.
Counselor Education
1. The student must submit three letters of recommendation that speak to their capabilities for pursuing education in counseling from current or former supervisors, professors, professionals in the field, or others who can speak to the student’s compatibility with the field of counseling.
2. The student must provide an essay expressing their purpose for pursuing a counseling degree and their expectations for contributing to the field of counseling.
3. The student must participate in an interview and orientation with a Counselor Education faculty member. For additional information on counselors’ admission requirements, see the Counselor Education section.
Educational Leadership, General Leadership
1. Students must submit scores on either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) directly from the testing service to UHV if they have not met the 2.5 GPA requirement.
  
  For additional information on Educational Leadership and General Leadership admission requirements, see the Educational Leadership section.

Candidacy and Comprehensive Examinations

The exams will be offered on October 19, 2024, March 22, 2025, and June 21, 2025.

The student must apply for the comprehensive exam and candidacy for the master’s degree by registering by the following deadline dates:

Application Deadline Date	Late Application Accepted With $50 Fee	Test Date
September 20, 2024	October 4, 2024	October 19, 2024
February 21, 2025	March 7, 2025	March 22, 2025
May 23, 2025	June 6, 2025	June 21, 2025

Applications for Candidacy and Master’s Comprehensive Exams will be assessed a late fee if submitted after the deadline date. Deadlines will be strictly enforced.

Applications are available on the Master Comprehensive Exams website. Satisfactory performance on the school’s comprehensive examination is required of all graduate students.

Comprehensive examinations are required for a second master’s degree.

All degrees must have at least 18 semester hours of graduate Education coursework and all courses through the College of Education & Health Professions must be at the graduate level.
Other University Requirements
The student must satisfy all university requirements for a master’s degree as found in the section, Master’s Degree Requirements , of this catalog.

The university does not award academic course credit for experiential learning or life experience. As specified by the state, certain kinds of experience may be credited toward fulfilling certification requirements in Education.