College of Education

The vision of the College of Education is a community of life-long learners who actively reflect on the impact of their values, attitudes, beliefs, and practices.

The mission of the College of Education is to prepare professional educators who are proactive in nurturing the life-long development of all learners. This mission will be accomplished by:

  • Facilitating the acquisition of necessary knowledge, skills, and dispositions;
  • Cultivating the value of diversity;
  • Encouraging collaborative inquiry, innovation, and research;
  • Promoting collegiality and service in schools and communities;
  • Integrating technology into practice;
  • Providing opportunities for professional growth; and
  • Influencing educational practices and policies at the local, state, and national level.

Administrator in Charge of the College of Education

James Hunt, Ph.D. 

Chair of Counseling

Maria Avalos, Ph.D.

Chair of Curriculum and Instruction

Yolanda Salgado, Ph.D.

Chair of Educational Leadership

Kevin Badgett, Ed.D.

Chair of Literacy, Language, and Special Populations

Kara Rosenblatt, Ph.D.

Graduate Faculty

Maria Avalos, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Counseling, Program Coordinator and Chair
Kevin Badgett, Ed.D. Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, Program Coordinator and Chair
Larry G. Daniel, Ph.D. Professor of Educational Leadership
Ethel Arzu, Ed.D. Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership
Roy Hurst, Ph.D. Professor of Professional Education, Program Coordinator and Chair
Kara Rosenblatt, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Special Education, Program Coordinator and Chair
Yolanda Salgado, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Bilingual Education, Program Coordinator and Chair
Tara Wilson, Ed.D. Assistant Professor of Literacy and Program Coordinator
Amin Davoodi, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Bilingual Education
Cynthia Anderson, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Counseling
Shelly Landreth, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Literacy

Programs of Study

The advanced programs offered through the College of Education are designed to prepare candidates for enhanced classroom teaching, for leadership responsibilities beyond the classroom and for doctoral study. Courses are offered in a variety of formats (face-to-face, online, hybrid, weekend), which allows candidates who are currently working to also attend class. Candidates may earn a Master of Arts (MA) degree in conjunction or separate from advanced certifications also offered by the College of Education.

Master of Arts Degree Programs

The College of Education offers 6 Master of Arts (MA) degree programs:

  • Bilingual/English as a Second Language
  • Counseling
  • Educational Leadership
  • Professional Education
  • Literacy
  • Special Education

Post-Bachelor’s Alternative Teacher Certification

Initial teaching certification can be earned in conjunction with or separate from coursework for a master's degree. Students who are preparing for teacher certification, and, at the same time, working toward a master's degree, are admitted to Graduate Studies for the appropriate Education MA degree program, and are also admitted to the teacher certification program as a second field of study. Students who are preparing for teacher certification, but who are not working towards a master's degree, are admitted under the certification option. Initial teacher certifications can be earned in:

Elementary Grades EC-6 Core Subjects
Middle Level Grades 4-8 Core Subjects; English Language Arts; Math; Science; Social Studies
Secondary Physical Science; Grades 8-12 Computer Science
Grades 7-12 Chemistry; English Language Arts; History; Life Science (Biology); Journalism; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies; Speech
All Level Grades EC-12 Art; Music; Physical Education; Spanish; Special Education

Supplemental certifications in Bilingual, ESL, or Special Education are available with any certification.

Advanced Certifications

Advanced educator certifications require a master's degree and can be earned in conjunction with or after completion of coursework for a master's degree. Advanced certifications offered through the College of Education are:

  • Educational Diagnostician
  • Principal
  • Superintendent
  • Literacy Specialist
  • Master Literacy Teacher
  • School Counselor
  • Licensed Professional Counselor

Every effort is made to maintain consistency between the programs offered by the College of Education and the requirements for initial and advanced certifications established by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification. However, the state requirements for certifications may change more frequently than published degree requirements, and it is critical that candidates consult their advisors and the UT Permian Basin Certification Officer regularly.