General Information
Mission
The University of Texas at Austin, through the College of Education, is committed to the preparation 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.
It is a professional school offering one teacher certification degree. The Bachelor of Science in Education allows students to pursue teacher certification for elementary (early childhood through grade six) ESL generalist, ESL bilingual generalist, all-level (early childhood through grade 12), or generic special education certification.
The college provides the professional sequence of education courses and serves as the certification agent for all University students pursuing certification to teach in Texas, whether they are enrolled in the College of Education or in another division of the University. See Preparation for Teacher Certification for more information. Accountability information for the teacher preparation program is given in the General Information Catalog.
The college also offers programs that do not lead to teacher certification. These programs, in youth and community studies, athletic training, exercise science, health promotion and behavioral science, physical culture and sports, and sport management, are designed to meet the professional needs of public and private educational and community service agencies and to prepare students for advanced study.
As a unit of the Graduate School, the College of Education offers courses and curricula leading to advanced professional certificates and to master’s and doctoral degrees in education. It also provides in-service training and consulting services for those engaged in the educational professions.
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. Sánchez 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, racquet sport courts, and faculty offices. College of Education faculty members and programs are also housed in Gregory Gymnasium and the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, and the North End Zone.
Financial Assistance Available through the College
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. Sánchez Building 2.110; graduate students should also inquire in their departmental offices. Generally, applications are accepted online 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.
Academic Advising
The College of Education encourages all students to see their advisors at least once a semester for a comprehensive discussion of their programs. Academic advisors are available in George I. Sánchez Building 216.
Education Career Engagement
The College of Education offers career services to assist University students in making informed career choices. Education Career Engagement makes job search materials, events, and counseling accessible to students on a regular basis. Information about these services is available at https://education.utexas.edu/about/college-offices/career-services.
As a complement to the assistance available from the college, the University's Sanger Learning Center and Texas Career Engagement provide comprehensive career services to all students. The centers offer professional assistance to all University students in choosing or changing their majors or careers, seeking an internship, and planning for the job search or for graduate study.
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 Texas Health Promotion Club, the Kinesiology Club, Longhorn Athletic Training Student Association, Minorities in Education, the Student Council for Exceptional Children, and Teachers of Tomorrow. Pi Lambda Theta, Phi Delta Kappa, and Kappa Delta Pi are honorary organizations for men and women.
Student Programs
Education Scholars
The Education Scholars program is for select students admitted to the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin. Participation in the two-year program is by invitation only, with the aim to provide the benefits of a small college atmosphere while preparing students to become future leaders of the College of Education. For more information, see https://education.utexas.edu/students/undergraduate-students/enhancing-your-degree/texas-education-scholars.