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  University Studies Division
   

Undergraduate Catalog
2005-2007
Fall 2006 Update

General Catalog Information:
 
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
and OPPORTUNITIES

Select from the pop-down menu or scroll down.

Table of Contents

• Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Socieity
• Study Abroad
• Study Abroad Scholarships
• Office of Undergraduate Academic Development
  and Retention, Academic Affairs (UADR)
• Scholars' Community
• Language and Culture Center
• Cooperative Education Program (COOP)
• PROMES
• Am.Humanics/Nonprofit Certificate Program
• Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps
• Army Reserve Officers Training Corps
• Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps
• Distance Education
• Non-Credit Programs and Courses:
  Continuing Education

Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society

Phi Kappa Phi is a national honor society that recognizes superior scholarship in all academic disciplines at the university.

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi has as its primary objective the recognition and encouragement of superior scholarship. The University of Houston chapter, chartered in November 1949, is the only honor society on campus that is wholly university-wide and includes faculty members, administrators, and undergraduate and graduate students in every division of the university.

Each year Phi Kappa Phi elects to membership a limited number of juniors, seniors, and graduate or professional students who are of good character and have attained outstanding records of academic excellence at the university.

Study Abroad

The Office of International Studies and Programs (OISP) is responsible for the design and implementation of study abroad programs for the University of Houston. It is located in room 501F of the Ezekiel W. Cullen Building. The office is responsible for designing the policies and procedures for all study abroad programs and in assisting the colleges, departments, faculty and students in fulfilling academic requirements.

Students interested in studying abroad have a wide variety of resources available to assist them with the study abroad experience. Study abroad programs are available for both undergraduates and graduates.

Students are given the facility to register in any one of the following programs:

1. Faculty-Led Programs.
   These programs are designed by the faculty and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board through the OISP. Students who wish to study abroad under the Faculty-Led Programs must inquire with the faculty, department, or college for program information. Faculty-led programs include study in Belize, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and Spain.
   
   
2. Exchange Programs.
   The University of Houston, through its various colleges and departments, has agreements with several universities throughout the world. Students who wish to apply to be an exchange student must initiate the process with the OISP. An advisor will guide and assist them through the admission procedures and the payment of fees. The student will pay fees at UH and will not pay tuition fees at the host country according to the Reciprocal Educational Exchange Program (REEP) agreement.
   
   At present UH has exchange programs with: Universidad De Monterrey, Mexico; Tech De Monterrey, Mexico; Selçuk University, Turkey; Strate College, France; Leipzig and Luneburg University, Germany; Al Baath University, Syria; NIILM Center for Management Studies and Mumbai University, India; University of Belize, Belize; Hong Kong Polytechnic, China; Saigon Institute of Information Technology, Vietnam; and several more.
   
   
3. Affiliated Programs.
   The University of Houston has affiliated agreements with the University Study Abroad Consortium, Council of International Education Exchange, Texas International Education Consortium, American Institute of Foreign Study, Cultural Experiences Abroad, Inter Study Abroad, Knowledge Institute, Schiller's International University and School of International Living, and American University in Cairo.
   
   If a student wishes to choose to study in an international university not currently listed with UH, the OISP will provide all the assistance the student needs under the Independent Affiliated Study Abroad Program. Students will only be charged an Affiliated Fee by UH. All tuition costs have to be paid directly to the universities abroad.
   
   
4. Special Programs. The OISP also conducts special programs for various departments and assists faculty and students to participate in study abroad programs during the Winter and Spring breaks. Students currently enrolled in other universities may also participate in the UH Visiting International Studies Programs.

Resources:

• Advising.
  Study Abroad Advisors and support staff are available at the OISP to assist students in finding the right programs, equating foreign coursework to UH courses, getting foreign credits transferred to UH, and to assuring the students' health and safety abroad.
  
  
• Resource Center.
  The OISP maintains a resource library with information on countries and catalogues of programs. The Resource Center has two computers to assist the students in registering with the U.S. Embassy abroad and researching details about universities and countries of interest.

The OISP website provides students and faculty with detailed information on programs, health insurance, procedures, forms, contacts, and other important information. It also provides faculty with information on how to design, request approval for, and implement a program. www.uh.edu/academics/intlstu/

Study Abroad Scholarships

Scholarship opportunities are available for students studying abroad. There are two scholarships administered by the OISP:

• The International Education Fee Scholarship (IEFS)
• and the Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce Scholarship (HJCC).

Competitions for both these scholarships are held each fall (November 1) and spring (March 1) and are awarded for the following two terms, including summer terms.

The IEFS Scholarship was initiated by the students to promote study abroad and incorporate international study into their academic experience. This scholarship is funded by the student body through a semester fee added to the students' fee bill. This initiative was subsequently approved by the Texas legislature for all Texas universities .

The IEFS and HJCC scholarship forms may be obtained from the OISP in room 501 of the E. Cullen Building or from the website at www.uh.edu/academics/intlstu/

Office of Undergraduate Academic Development and Retention, Academic Affairs (UADR)

The Office of Undergraduate Academic Development and Retention (UADR), Academic Affairs, is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of academic administrative and programmatic strategies in support of undergraduate academic development.

To this end, UADR works closely with the University of Houston colleges and professional schools, providing the academic units information and assistance for initiatives that develop, enhance, and promote excellence in undergraduate education at UH. Thus, UADR provides UH faculty and academic program directors information, workshops, and professional support services for the promotion of innovations in undergraduate teaching and learning at UH.

UADR also has oversight of the academic support services which manage and develop projects as well as programs in the areas of student academic advisement, retention, remediation, and assessment: the University Studies Division (USD), the Scholar's Community and the Pre-Professional and Post-Baccalaureate Studies Office.

In addition, UADR offices include IT support and program development, internship, and outreach operations.

Among the programs developed at UADR are the campus-wide Academic Advisement Certification Program and the web-based advising and academic tracking system, VAdvising.

Finally, UADR, through its divisions and the colleges, acts as an academic resource center for faculty, academic advisors, and students, as well as the Houston community at large through outreach activities for the pre-collegiate school system, community colleges, and families.

Scholars' Community

"Success Starts Here"

At most large universities, students often feel lost, like they are "just another number" and not part of the traditional college experience. The University of Houston has a specially designed learning community program, the Scholars' Community, to help bring freshmen, transfer, and international students into the mainstream of college life.

The program is a division of the Office of Undergraduate Academic Development and Retention, Academic Affairs (UADR).

Like the University of Houston, the mission of the Scholars’ Community is to help students succeed.

If you are serious about getting your college degree and are willing to make a commitment to your education, we encourage you to become a member of the Scholars' Community. Students who join the Scholars' Community consistently earn higher grade point averages (GPA) and are less likely to drop out of school than non-members.

The Scholars’ Community consists of students who have made the decision to join an academic community that is designed to help them navigate through the required core curriculum and to feel more a part of the University of Houston.

The objectives of the Scholar’s Community are to assist our students during the difficult transition from their high schools or other institutions of learning; to extend a support system within a large, urban campus; and to provide a smoother and more efficient path toward their degree.

Here are some of the things that make that happen:

• A home base on campus that includes a lounge, study areas, personal lockers, staff offices, faculty, telephones, advisors, tutors, classrooms, and counseling - a convenient, one-stop location where members can take care of much of their personal and university business
• State-of-the-art computer laboratory for classes and personal use
• Scholars' Prep College Orientation and Survival Skills programs
• Specially designed class schedules that include required core courses
• Academic Support Network including academic advising, peer tutoring, and required Mentor Meeting conferences (M&Ms) with assigned peer mentors
• Small-group advisement and registration
• Course registration before the rest of the student body
• A virtual community on the Internet
• Opportunities to get to know other students
• ScholarsPlus program for second-year or sophomore students
• Activities and workshops to help plan your entire "college package" including College Majors and Minors, Internships, Study Abroad, and Choosing a Career.

Admission to the Scholars’ Community is open to all new full-time freshmen, international and transfer students. Students can join only before the beginning of fall semester by completing the on-line application at our website or by applying during the UH Summer Orientation sessions.

Language and Culture Center

The Language and Culture Center (LCC), housed in the Department of English, provides intensive, noncredit, compensatory English language instruction to undergraduate and graduate international students who have not yet been admitted to degree programs because they must improve their reading, writing, grammar, or spoken English skills to compete successfully in the university classroom.

International Graduate Teaching Assistants who score low on the Test of Spoken English (TSE), the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK), or other nationally standardized tests may register for LCC 6034: English for International Teaching Assistants and Faculty, a noncredit course on English pronunciation and U.S. academic culture.

LCC courses do not count toward degrees, but do count toward full-time student status for immigration reporting purposes and for calculation of building use and student service fees.

For further information, contact:

University of Houston
Department of English
Language and Culture Center
116 Roy Cullen Building
Houston, TX 77204-3014

Cooperative Education Program

Cooperative Education is a program which enables college students to receive career training, with pay, as they work with professionals in their major fields of study. Work experience in government, business, industry, and human services enhances the students' academic training. This valuable experience is documented on their official transcripts.

Most employers use the co-op concept as a recruiting tool. They tend to fill their vacancies with graduates from their own co-op programs, whenever possible, since they already know the capabilities and work habits of those they have trained.

Most co-op positions are offered on a full-time, alternating basis with two students filling each job. While one student works, the other attends school. They trade places each spring, summer, and fall term. There are a few positions that are on a part-time schedule throughout the year; these are known as parallel co-op jobs. Jobs are available in most majors.

For further information, contact:

University of Houston
Cullen College of Engineering
Director of Cooperative Education
302 Engineering Bldg 1
Houston, TX 77204-4028
713-743-4230

PROMES

The Cullen College of Engineering seeks to provide increased opportunities for students with diverse backgrounds. To implement this policy, the college has established a special program called PROMES (pronounced "promise"), the Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies. This program provides support in the academic, social, and financial areas, with strong emphasis on making a student's first year in college a success. Incoming PROMES students enroll in special courses and workshops designed to lead to that success. PROMES provides an informal setting for the new students. Academic monitoring, tutoring, general orientation, and where applicable, career and personal counseling are all part of the program.

Financial aid for PROMES students is available through normal scholarship and financial aid programs, grants, special PROMES scholarships, and after the freshman year the Cooperative Education Program. The program’s annual Christmas party and spring awards banquet enhance the campus social life of PROMES students.

PROMES is open to engineering students of all ethnicities and nationalities.

For information, call 713-743-4222.

American Humanics Nonprofit Certificate Program

Students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in the social sciences, business, journalism, communications, kinesiology, or one of the many other related academic disciplines, may prepare for professional careers in nonprofit organizations.

By participating in and completing academic and co-curricular requirements, students prepare for certification as nonprofit professionals through American Humanics, Inc. (AH), a national nonprofit organization founded in 1948. AH certification is recognized by 17 national youth and human service organizations as well as a growing number of Houston and Harris County affiliated agencies that provide internships and job placement both locally and nationally.

Students enroll in elective and other courses that fit within their chosen degree requirements. Competencies required for AH certification are in the areas of:

• child and adult development;
• marketing and public relations;
• financial management and budgeting for nonprofits;
• management of nonprofit organizations;
• fundraising;
• historical and philosophical foundations.

Co-curricular activities include volunteer opportunities and community service; membership in the American Humanics Student Association (AHSA), a recognized campus organization; attendance at the AHSA annual retreat; professional development workshops; and attendance at the National American Humanics Management Institute.

Academic advising and assistance in the certification process is provided by the American Humanics Program Director. AH is a project of the Graduate College of Social Work, serving undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students.

Co-curricular activities are partially funded through a one-time enrollment fee of $50 and an annual program fee of $50 will be added to the student’s bill. Student association dues are $30 per year. Limited financial assistance is available through American Humanics, Inc. for students who have actively participated in AH for six months.

For more information about AH and how to begin the certification process, call 713-743-8137.

Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps

The Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) program emphasizes the leadership and management skills that prepare cadets to assume a regular commission in the active United States Air Force. Courses and activities teach military customs and courtesies, core values, leadership and ethics, and policy formation.

Air Force ROTC offers a pathway from college to many exciting career possibilities as an Air Force officer: flying, engineering, intelligence, computer systems, aircraft maintenance, management, etc. Scholarships are available, vary in size and length, and cover tuition, books, and fees. The maximum age for commissioning is 35. The university offers both a two- and a four-year ROTC program.

The first two years of the Air Force ROTC four-year program, the General Military Course, consist of one hour of classroom work and two hours of leadership laboratory each week.

Upon completion of the General Military Course requirements, cadets who wish to compete for entry into the last two years of the program, the Professional Officer Course, must do so under the requirements of the Professional Officer Course selection system. This system uses qualitative factors, such as grade point average, unit commander evaluation, aptitude test scores and physical fitness test scores to determine a student’s officer potential. After selection, students must successfully complete a summer four-week field training encampment at an assigned Air Force base before entering the Professional Officer Course. Cadets enrolled in the Professional Officer Course attend class three hours a week and participate in a weekly leadership laboratory lasting two hours.

In the Professional Officer Course, cadets apply what they learned in the General Military Course and at field training encampments. Professional Officer Course cadets conduct the leadership laboratories and manage the unit’s cadet wing. Professional Officer Course classes are small. Emphasis is on group discussions and cadet presentations. Classroom topics included leadership, communication skills, and national defense policy.

Once enrolled in the Professional Officer Course, all cadets are enlisted in the Air Force Reserve and assigned to the Obligated Reserve Section. This entitles them to a monthly nontaxable subsistence allowance during the academic year of $350 per month for juniors and $400 per month for seniors.

The Air Force ROTC two-year program and the last two years of the four-year program are the same at the Professional Officer Course level. However, the entry procedure differs. Entrance into the Professional Officer Course is highly competitive and two-year applicants must be selected through the selection system described above. Two-year applicants must successfully complete a six-week field training encampment. The additional weeks of field training for the two-year applicants prepares them for entry into the Professional Officer Course. Two-year applicants are not committed to the Air Force until they return to school in the fall and make a decision to enroll in Air Force ROTC.

For further information, contact Captain Kareem Owens at 713-743-4932 or visit the website at www.uh.edu/afrotc.

Army Reserve Officers Training Corps

The objective of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program is to develop leadership and management skills. Upon completion of the degree and the ROTC program, students may be offered a regular or reserve commission in the United States Army. The university offers both a two- and four-year ROTC program.

The four-year program is taken in two phases. The basic course is taken in the freshman and sophomore years. It incurs no military obligation, but it may earn physical education credit. Courses include leadership and management with practical training in military skills and survival. Veterans may be granted credit for the basic course. In the second phase, leadership and management training are expanded. Students earn $300 per month and attend a paid six-week summer camp following their junior year.

For further information, contact:

U.S. Army ROTC
Department of Military Science
University of Houston
3875 Holman St Rm 28
Houston, TX 77204-6014
713-743-3875

Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps

Although the university does not have a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) unit, qualified students may participate in the NROTC program at Rice University. The cross-enrollment program is an arrangement between the University of Houston, Rice, and the U.S. Navy, represented by the Naval Science Department at Rice University.

There are three NROTC programs leading to a commission in the reserve components of the Navy or Marine Corps:

1. A two-, three-, or four-year scholarship program leading to a commission in the Navy or Marine Corps Reserve. (This program provides all tuition, books, school fees, and uniforms plus $200 per month.)
2. A two-, three- or four-year college program that leads to a commission in the Naval or Marine Corps Reserve. (Uniforms and naval science course books are provided.)
3. A two-year scholarship or college program for juniors and seniors (apply spring semester sophomore year).

Interested students should contact the NROTC Rice University.

Commanding Officer
NROTC Unit Houston Consortium
Rice University, MS 556
6100 S. Main
Houston, Texas 77001
713-348-4825
e-mail: navy@rice.edu

See the course schedule for registration information.

Distance Education

Responding to the educational needs of the rapidly growing Houston area, the University of Houston makes credit course offerings available at locations away from the main campus and to enrolled students at home.

The University of Houston offers face-to-face and live interactive classes at three locations in the greater Houston area.

• The UH System at Cinco Ranch (4242 S. Mason Road, Katy) serves the west Houston area,
• UH System at Sugar Land (14000 University Boulevard, Sugar Land), serves Fort Bend county and southwest Houston, and
• The University Center (3232 College Park, The Woodlands) serves Montgomery County and north Houston.

Credit courses offered at these sites include junior, senior, and graduate level courses from selected degree programs. New courses are added each semester, and proposed courses undergo the same rigorous design and review as those offered on the main campus.

Credit courses are taught by University of Houston faculty members and have the same prerequisites, content, and requirements as on the main campus.

The off-site facilities currently offer a broad range of courses that apply to undergraduate and graduate degrees including collaboratively delivered programs in cooperation with partner universities.

All three off-campus centers provide classrooms, conference rooms, computer labs, distance learning classrooms, library facilities, and administrative offices.

UH Distance Education coordinates the delivery of courses off-campus, online and via Instructional Television.

For further information about credit courses offered by UH Distance Education, visit www.uh.edu/uhdistance or call 713-743-3769.

You may also call the

• UH System at Cinco Ranch (832-842-2800),
• UH System at Sugar Land (281-275-3300),
  or
• The University Center (281-618-7140).

Noncredit Programs and Courses

Continuing Education provides a broad array of noncredit certificate programs, courses, and activities at the main campus, at other UH System locations, and on-site for corporate clients. Focusing on career and professional development, these opportunities are designed to respond to the expressed needs of Houston’s business community.

For more information about offerings, call 713-743-1060, or visit or website at www.uh.edu/continuingeducation.

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Last updated:
Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - 04:38 PM

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