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College of Education

Departmental Programs

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Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Programs

The faculty of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction endeavors to improve instructional practice in schools and other educational settings for learners three-years-old to adult. Graduates of the department's graduate programs work as educational leaders in public and private school systems (prekindergarten to 12th grade) and in various kinds of postsecondary institutions, government agencies, and professional organizations.

The department offers a range of graduate degrees, endorsements, and certification programs that include the following:

Master of Education Degree (M.Ed.)

Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Art Education
Bilingual Education
Early Childhood Education
Educational Administration and Supervision
Gifted and Talented Education
Instructional Technology
Mathematics Education
Reading and Language Arts Education
Science Education
Second Language Education
Social Studies Education
Special Education
Teaching

Elementary (initial and professional)
Secondary (initial and professional)
All-Level Art (initial)
Reading Specialist (professional)
Educational Diagnostician (professional)
Generic Special Education (initial)
Special Education Counselor (professional)*
Severely Handicapped Education**
Texas Standard Principal (professional)
Superintendent (professional)

*Individuals seeking certification as special education counselors must be formally admitted for graduate studying in both the Counseling and Special Education Programs. All the requirements for a counseling certificate as well as the requirements for a special education certificate must be completed successfully. The combined requirements for obtaining these two credentials is approximately 60 semester hours.

**Specializations in Severely Handicapped Education, Severe Emotional Disturbance and Autism, Special Education Supervision, and Hospital Homebound Instruction can be pursued on an individual basis. Students applying for specialty certificates must first satisfy the requirements for Generic Special Education. Students who wish to work toward one or more of the endorsement/certification programs may include program requirements in the elective or required areas of their degree plans.

Bilingual Education
English as a Second Language
Gifted and Talented Education
Severe/Profound Handicaps
Severely Emotionally Disturbed and Autistic

Degree plans leading to the Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction are tailored to meet the unique needs and professional aspirations of each student admitted to the program. The program combines several supporting areas, including art education, bilingual education, curriculum, early childhood education, education of the gifted and talented, instructional technology, language arts education, literature education, mathematics education, reading education, science education, social studies education, special education, and teacher education.

The Educatinal Leadership doctoral program is designed to prepare educational leaders capable of applying conceptual knowledge to problems of practice. The program addresses research, policy and practice in strategic, instructional, organizational, and community leadership. Field experiences are an integral part of the program.

Department of Educational Psychology

Programs

The Department of Educational Psychology offers graduate programs at the master's and doctoral levels that prepare students to understand the conceptual base of theories, research, and methods of psychology and to apply these fields of study to the processes of education and human development.

The department offers four graduate study areas: counseling, educational psychology and individual differences, higher education, and school psychology. Though differing in focus, all programs emphasize preparing students to be competent in the academic and professional aspects of educational psychology. Professional competence is pursued through course work, seminars and supervised research, practice, and internship experiences.

Counseling

The master's degree program in counseling brings together the theoretical and applied principles of educational psychology that are essential to the counseling relationship, and prepares students to work as professional counselors in public and private schools, community agencies, and college counseling centers.

Graduates of the master's degree program meet the academic requirements necessary for State Board for Educator Certification's certification as school counselors and typically are eligible to sit for the examination to obtain licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas Certification and licensure requirements vary by state and may change without notification. Students should ensure that their individual degree plans concur with their credentialing expectations.

Special education counseling requires admission into both counseling and special education. The master's degree in special education is offered through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Students have the option of meeting Texas Education Agency requirements for certification for Special Education Counselor and Educational Diagnostician.

The Doctor of Philosophy program in Counseling Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association and adheres to a scientist-practitioner training model. The program emphasizes the theory, research, and practice of working with normal populations from a broadly defined ecological developmental perspective. Graduates obtain faculty positions in colleges and universities; provide counseling supervision and consultation services in a variety of mental health settings; and serve as supervisors, program coordinators, and direct service providers in school districts. Students participate in a variety of training experiences including at least two semesters of practicum and a full-year, full-time, pre-doctoral internship approved by the faculty. Graduates of the Counseling Psychology program typically meet the academic requirements to apply for licensure as a psychologist in the state of Texas. Licensure requirements vary by state and may change without notifications. Students should ensure that their individual degree plans concur with their credentialing expectation.

Educational Psychology and Individual Differences

The master's degree in educational psychology program emphasizes such areas as development, learning, motivation, exceptionality or disabilities, psychological and educational measurement, and research methodology. Students expand their understanding of theory and the implications for education within these areas. Flexibility within the program affords students the opportunity to develop a program of study tailored to their professional needs. Graduates of the master’s program who previously have earned a teaching certificate return to school settings more fully prepared to teach, to become department or campus leaders, or to pursue other educational career paths. Graduates also pursue careers as associate psychologists, researchers or measurement specialists, and educational support staff for health care and other institutions.

Higher Education

The master's degree program in Higher Education is a unique program. At its heart is the belief that our nation's future depends on our ability to productively employ the enormous resources represented by the diversity of our people and our thoughts. This degree could only be offered at an urban research university fully committed to the value of diversity in both people and ideas. This degree is constructed around the following six themes: urban perspectives , education for all people and all places , student experience and opportunity , policy and planning , collaboration and community , proven experience and leadership.

School Psychology

The doctoral degree program adheres to a scientist-practitioner training model, and is committed to developing professional school psychologists who are competent to engage in applied research and to apply critical analysis and inquiry to identify, select, implement, and evaluate evidence-based practices with sensitivity to cultural and linguistic considerations, and in consideration of diverse client preferences. Sensitivity to diversity issues is addressed in specific course work and embedded throughout the training experience, in part because the UH is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse research institutions in the nation.

Practicum placements for students are now available in more than a dozen school districts, specialized assessment and intervention clinics at the Texas Children's Hospital (e.g., Disruptive Behavior Disorders and ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Pediatric Neuropsychology, Pediatric Neurology, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics), to the Behavioral Pediatrics Neuro-oncology Clinic at the M.D. Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital, and in other settings within the Houston area. These varied practicum settings provide opportunities for students to obtain exposure, supervised experience, and to develop expertise with diverse populations, conditions, professionals, settings, and procedures as they matriculate through the program.

Degree Programs

Programs in educational psychology include the following:

Master of Education Degree (M.Ed.)
Educational Psychology
Counseling
Higher Education

Certificates:
Counselor (professional)

The certification program in counseling prepares professional counselors to function in a public school setting. Formal admission to the counseling area in the department is required. Students must complete a required sequence of counseling courses and nine semester hours of electives, approved by an advisor for this certificate. Three years of acceptable teaching experience is a prerequisite for this certificate. Note: Many school districts prefer completion of an M.Ed. degree in Counseling inclusive of the certificate requirements.

If students and advisors plan carefully and if the students complete the appropriate additional course work, graduates of the program may meet the academic (master's degree) requirements necessary for State Board for Educator Certification's certification as school counselors, and may be eligible to sit for the examination to obtain either certification as a Psychological Associate or licensure as a Professional Counselor.

For further information, consult the Department of Educational Psychology, 491 Farish Hall, (713) 743-9830.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Historical, Social, and Cultural Foundations (not currently accepting new students)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Counseling Psychology
Educational Psychology and Individual Differences
School Psychology

Department of Health and Human Performance

Programs

The Department of Health and Human Performance offers graduate programs in three major areas: allied health education and administration, health education, and physical education. Graduate degrees and certificates include the following:

Master of Education Degree (M.Ed.)
• Allied Health Education and Administration
• Health Education
• Physical Education

Master of Education Degree (M.Ed.)

• Exercise Science

Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.)

• Kinesiology
  

Master of Education (M.Ed.) Programs

Allied Health Education and Administration (http://www.hhp.uh.edu/allied/default.cfm)

The Master's of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Allied Health Education and Administration is part of a cooperative program with Baylor College of Medicine. Faculty at both institutions provide the course work. Offered since 1972, this program is open to licensed/certified/registered allied health professionals preparing for positions as educators or educational administrators in schools for allied health professionals, colleges or universities, clinical settings, or community health agencies. A practicum/internship is also required. In addition to course requirements, students must satisfactorily complete a comprehensive examination covering their major field of study after 27 hours of course work.

To obtain a Master of Education in Allied Health Education and Administration, students must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours and the Master of Education Comprehensive Examination . These hours will be derived from:

• Education Core (nine semester hours)
• Program Emphasis Core (21 semester Hours)
• Electives in Related Areas (six semester hours) – advisor approval required

Health Education (http://www.hhp.uh.edu/meheed/default.cfm)

At the master's (M.Ed.) level, the health education concentration is designed to provide students from diverse disciplines opportunities to apply the principles of health education and health promotion in school, agency, community, worksite, and patient care settings. Graduates from this program are anticipated to meet the educational criteria to become a Certified Health Education Specialist.

To obtain a Master of Education in Health Education, students must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours and the Master of Education Comprehensive Examination . These hours will be derived from:

• Education Core (nine semester hours)
• Program Emphasis Core (18 semester hours)
• Electives in Related Areas (nine semester hours) – advisor approval required

Physical Education (http://www.hhp.uh.edu/mdphedu/default.cfm)

The Master's of Education (M.Ed.) degree is designed for physical education teachers, administrators, sport theorists, and exercise specialists. It meets the specific needs of students who are preparing to pursue an advanced degree, those who are seeking certification to teach physical education, and those who wish to continue their professional development.

Physical education teachers, athletic coaches, administrators, and curriculum specialists at the public/private school levels can benefit from this program through study beyond the bachelor's degree. The program also provides appropriate preparation for specialists working in adult fitness programs in corporate and medical settings.

The M.Ed. in Physical Education has three areas of emphasis: Urban Fitness Programming, Sport and Fitness Administration, and Motor Behavior. Urban Fitness Programming includes physical education, physical activity, physiology, and obesity and nutritional studies. Sport and Fitness Administration includes facility maintenance and management, team management, and regulatory and ethical aspects of sport. Motor behavior includes motor learning and control and biomechanics. At the end of the coursework, students must take and successfully pass a comprehensive exam that is in addition to the 36 semester hour coursework in the degree, which is comprised of the following areas:

• Education Core (nine semester hours)
• Departmental Core (six semester hours)
• Program Area Emphasis Electives (21 semester hours) – advisor approval required
• Students seeking teacher certification must complete additional prescribed courses.

Online M.Ed. in Physical Education (http://www.hhp.uh.edu/onlinemed/default.cfm)

The Online M.Ed. in Physical Education is a degree option of the M.Ed. in Physical Education. The degree is designed for physical education teachers, administrators, dance educators, sport theorists, and exercise specialists. It meets the specific needs of students who are preparing to pursue an advanced degree, those who are seeking certification to teach physical education (accredited in the state of Texas), and those who wish to continue their professional development. The degree also provides appropriate preparation for specialists working in fitness programs in corporate and medical settings as well as for business personnel in the sports industry.

Courses in the degree program are all delivered through an online, web-based format and emphasize areas of exercise science and physiology, physical activity, obesity and health issues, nutrition, and general physical education. At the end of the coursework, students must take and successfully pass a comprehensive exam that is in addition to the 36 semester hour coursework in the degree, which is comprised of the following areas:

• Education Core (nine semester hours)
• Department Core (six semester hours)
• Program Area Emphasis-Electives (21 semester hours) – advisor approval required

Master of Science (M.S.) Degree Program

Exercise Science (http://www.hhp.uh.edu/msexec/default.cfm)

The master's degree (M.S.) in exercise science is designed to accomplish two objectives. First, it is to prepare students for employment in medically oriented environments that place an emphasis on research. Secondly, it is to provide students with academic and research skills needed for doctoral study in exercise science. Areas of emphasis within this program include exercise physiology, measurement, biomechanics, research in exercise science, and motor behavior. This degree requires a minimum of 36 semester hours, including:

• Research Core (nine semester hours)
• Disciplinary Core (six semester hours)
• Thesis (six semester hours)
• Approved electives (15 semester hours, at least six of which must come from outside the department)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program

Kinesiology (http://www.hhp.uh.edu/doctoralnew/default.cfm)

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Kinesiology is designed to prepare professionals with the cognitive and research skills needed to be productive scholars in the changing discipline of Kinesiology. The degree is research-oriented with a central focus on the health benefits of physical activity. The Ph.D. in Kinesiology has three broad areas of emphasis: motor control and learning, physiology/exercise science, and obesity studies.

The four objectives of the Ph.D. in Kinesiology are:

• To train scholars with the capacity to understand and conduct research in kinesiology.
• To train scholars with the capacity to develop and evaluate educational programs consistent with the national health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 2010.
• To train scholars with the capacity to prepare fundable research and program development proposals.
• To train professors with the capacity to be successful in higher education and kinesiological settings in the public and private domains.

The Ph.D. in Kinesiology requires completion of a minimum of 66 hours, including:

• Research Core (15 semester hours)
• Discipline Core specific to each track within the Ph.D. program (15 semester hours)
• Doctoral Dissertation (six semester hours)
• Designated Electives (30 semester hours) – to be chosen and taken under the direction and approval of the student's advisor.

A candidacy paper is also required, and may be completed with advisor approval after completion of nine semester hours of research core and six semester hours of discipline core.

The Department of Health and Human Performance offers graduate and undergraduate courses under six headings: health (HLT), nutrition (NUTR), physical education basic instructional program (PEB), physical education graduate program (PEP), kinesiology (KIN), and health, physical education and recreation (HPER). See the Undergraduate Studies catalog for a list of the undergraduate courses, or consult the department for additional information.

Endorsements

Certification Programs

• Initial Teaching Certificates

• Professional Certificates