Manuel J. Justiz
PhD
Dean

Lawrence D. Abraham
EdD
Associate Dean

Marilyn C. Kameen
EdD
Associate Dean

Michael P. Thomas Jr.
PhD
Associate Dean

Web site
www.edb.utexas.edu/coe/

General Information

Mission and Functions

The University of Texas at Austin, through the College of Education, is committed to the training of teachers and other educators who are dedicated to the employment and advancement of education for all people. In pursuing this mission, the College of Education performs several functions.

First, it is a professional school offering two degrees: the Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development and the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Both degree programs offer majors that lead to teacher certification, one for elementary school teachers, the other for secondary school and all-level kinesiology teachers.

Second, the college provides the professional sequence of education courses and serves as the selection and advising agent for most University students pursuing certification to teach in Texas, whether they are enrolled in the College of Education or in another division of the University.

Third, the college offers degree programs that do not lead to teacher certification. These programs, in youth and community studies, health promotion and fitness, and kinesiology, are designed to meet the professional needs of public and private educational and community service agencies.

Fourth, as a unit of the Graduate School, the College of Education offers courses and curricula leading to advanced professional certificates and to master's degrees and doctoral degrees in education. It also provides in-service training and consulting services for those engaged in the educational professions.

Fifth, departments in the college offer courses in general education as well as in various specialties suitable for students pursuing vocational objectives other than teaching.

The college is also a center for research, experimentation, and a wide variety of direct services to school systems and other educational and public service enterprises.

Facilities

The instructional and research programs of the College of Education are carried out in five buildings. The primary facility, the George I. Sanchez Building, contains classrooms, extensive computer facilities, electronic media resources, observation rooms, a learning technology center, a distance learning classroom, and faculty offices. Bellmont Hall, the primary facility for the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, houses classrooms, research and computer laboratories, gymnasium and locker facilities, racquetsport courts, and faculty offices. College of Education faculty members and programs are also housed in Anna Hiss Gymnasium, Gregory Gymnasium, and the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center.

Financial Assistance Available through the College of Education

Scholarships as well as graduate fellowships and assistantships are available to students in the College of Education. Application for all undergraduate awards and some graduate awards should be made to the Office of the Dean, George I. Sanchez Building 216; graduate students should also inquire in their departmental offices. Generally, applications are accepted in March for the following academic year.

Student Services

The Office of the Dean of the College of Education provides a variety of student services, including maintenance of student records, academic counseling, certification counseling, and official evaluations of the student's academic standing and progress toward a degree. Students are encouraged to contact the office whenever they have questions about degree requirements, academic standing, teacher certification, general University regulations, or registration. The office is also a good source of general information and referral that students are urged to use when they have questions or problems of any nature.

Student Organizations

The Education Council is the official channel for student participation in policy formulation and evaluation and in development of student activities in the college. Voluntary organizations in the college include the Bilingual Education Student Organization, the Kinesiology Club, Mu Iota Epsilon (Society of Minorities in Education), the Student Council for Exceptional Children, and the Texas Student Education Association. Pi Lambda Theta, Phi Delta Kappa, and Kappa Delta Pi are honorary organizations for men and women.

Education Career Services

The College of Education offers career services to provide a liaison between University students and prospective employers. Information about these services is avilable at http://www.edb.utexas.edu/career-field/experience-placement.html. All candidates for teacher certification must register with Education Career Services, George I. Sanchez Building 294, at the beginning of their student-teaching semester.

As a complement to the assistance available from the college, the University Career Center provides comprehensive career services to all students. The center offers professional assistance to students in choosing or changing their majors or careers, seeking an internship, and planning for the job search or for graduate study.

The University makes no promise to secure employment for each graduate.

Admission and Registration

Admission to the Professional Development Sequence in Teacher Certification Programs

Admission and readmission of all students to the University is the responsibility of the director of admissions. Information about admission to the University is given in General Information.

To enter the professional development sequence of courses, students seeking teacher certification must

1. Pass each part of the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) test, unless the student is exempt from TASP on the basis of SAT, ACT or TAAS scores, or has completed equivalent coursework approved by an academic adviser in the Office of the Dean. The TASP test is an assessment of basic college-level skills for all students as well as a part of the teacher certification process.

2. Complete at least seventy-two semester hours of college coursework with an acceptable grade point average. A University grade point average of at least 2.50 is required for consideration. Applicants with a University grade point average of 2.50 to 3.00 are considered individually. Those with a University grade point average of 3.00 or higher are eligible for priority selection. Postbaccalaureate and transfer students must also present a grade point average of at least 2.50 on all college work taken elsewhere to be eligible for consideration.

3. Complete a minimum amount of prerequisite coursework. Those interested in elementary certification must complete nine semester hours in applied learning and development, Kinesiology 314, Mathematics 316K and 316L, and Curriculum and Instruction 371 (Topic 15: Computing Tools for Educators); those interested in secondary certification must complete at least six semester hours in each field for which certification is sought before they begin student teaching.[1]

4. Receive the approval of the Professional Education Admissions Committee. The student must submit an application for admission to professional education courses by March 1 for entrance in the fall semester or by October 1 for entrance in the spring semester. Application information is available in the Education Career Services and Field Experiences Office, George I. Sanchez Building 294, and at http://www.edb.utexas.edu/career-field/experience-placement.html. The application process allows the student to outline his or her background and any special circumstances affecting his or her situation.

   The committee's decision is based on the applicant's completion of the academic eligibility requirements and suitability for the teaching profession as demonstrated by the application and, in some cases, an admission interview. For secondary school certification applicants, the committee considers University grades in the teaching fields as well as the cumulative University grade point average; applicants must have a University grade point average of at least 2.50 in each teaching field in which they seek certification, as well as a cumulative University grade point average of at least 2.50. In some teaching fields, a higher University grade point average and a higher grade point average in the teaching field may be required for admission to the professional development sequence. Students must maintain the required grade point averages to remain in the professional sequence.

   Each student who submits an application by the deadline and meets the minimum academic eligibility criteria will receive full consideration by the committee; however, fulfillment of these minimum requirements does not ensure committee approval. If more qualified students apply than the college has space for, admission may be based on factors such as the student's grade point average in certain preprofessional courses, the number of hours the student needs to complete the program, and whether the student is enrolled in prerequisite courses at the time of application. Applicants with a University grade point average of 3.00 or higher receive priority in selection.

Registration

General Information gives information about registration, adding and dropping courses, transfer from one division of the University to another, and auditing a course. The Course Schedule, published before registration each semester and summer session, includes registration instructions, advising locations, and the times, places, and instructors of classes. The Course Schedule and General Information are sold at campus-area bookstores. They are also published on the World Wide Web and are accessible through the registrar's Web site, http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/.

Academic Advising

The College of Education encourages all students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology to have their schedules approved by a faculty adviser. Those seeking elementary teaching certification and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development may self-advise when they register but are urged to see an adviser if any question arises. Students are also encouraged to see their advisers at least once a year outside the registration period for a more comprehensive discussion of their programs.

As part of the advising process, the College of Education publishes The College of Education Student Handbook. The handbook outlines degree programs, testing requirements, application deadlines, and other pertinent matters. It serves as a detailed advising guide for most academic questions within the College of Education and is available in the Office of the Dean, George I. Sanchez Building 216.

Academic Policies and Procedures

Certification Requirements

Information about legal requirements for certification to teach is available from the teacher certification officer, George I. Sanchez Building 216, or from the State Board for Educator Certification, 1001 Trinity Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Application for the certificate should be made at the Certification Office, George I. Sanchez Building 216. State of Texas teacher certification requirements are governed by the State Board for Educator Certification and are subject to change. Students must adhere to current certification requirements, even if they differ from those listed in this catalog.

In accordance with Article 6252-13C, Texas Civil Statutes, the commissioner of education may suspend or revoke a teaching certificate or refuse to issue a teaching certificate for a person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor for a crime that directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the teaching profession.

Students who have completed all necessary academic requirements for certification are also required to achieve a satisfactory level of performance on the Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET). In addition, students seeking certification to teach French or Spanish in elementary or secondary school must earn a passing score at the advanced level on the Texas Oral Proficiency Test (TOPT) in the appropriate language.

Honors

University Honors

The designation University Honors, awarded at the end of each long-session semester, gives official recognition and commendation to students whose grades for the semester indicate distinguished academic accomplishment. Both the quality and the quantity of work done are considered. Criteria for University Honors are given in chapter 1.

Graduation with University Honors

Students who, upon graduation, have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement are eligible to graduate with University Honors. Criteria for graduation with University Honors are given in chapter 1.

Graduation

Special Requirements of the College of Education

All students must fulfill the general requirements for graduation given in chapter 1. Students in the College of Education must also fulfill the following requirements.

1. The University requires that the student complete at least two long-session semesters, or an equivalent period, in residence. To receive a degree from the College of Education, the student must have been registered in the college for at least two long-session semesters or the equivalent.
2. A candidate for a degree must be registered in the College of Education either in residence or in absentia the semester or summer session the degree is to be awarded and must apply to the dean for the degree no later than the date specified in the official academic calendar.

Applying for a Degree

Each student seeking a degree from the College of Education should apply for an official degree audit upon completing seventy-five semester hours of coursework. The application for the degree audit is filed in the student dean's office, George I. Sanchez Building 216. The degree audit is essential to ensure that the student meets all the degree requirements given in a catalog under which he or she is entitled to graduate.

An applicant for a degree must be registered in the college for the semester or summer session at the end of which the degree is to be granted.

In the final semester or summer session, a candidate for graduation must apply for the degree by the deadline given in the official academic calendar, and should have had a degree audit.

Contents |  Next file

Undergraduate catalog

Contents
Chapter 1 - The University
Chapter 2 - School of Architecture
Chapter 3 - Red McCombs School of Business
Chapter 4 - College of Communication
Chapter 5 - College of Education
Chapter 6 - College of Engineering
Chapter 7 - College of Fine Arts
Chapter 8 - College of Liberal Arts
Chapter 9 - College of Natural Sciences
Chapter 10 - School of Nursing
Chapter 11 - College of Pharmacy
Chapter 12 - School of Social Work
Chapter 13 - The Faculty
Texas Common Course Numbering System (Appendix A)
Appendix B

Related information

Catalogs
Course Schedules
Academic Calendars
Office of Admissions