The Houston Baptist University College of Education and Behavioral Sciences has partnered with area school districts, Houston ISD, Cy-Fair ISD, Katy ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Spring ISD and Aldine ISD, as well as River Oaks Baptist School, to provide graduate-level education classes on-site at school locations that are convenient to learners.
Students are earning their Master of Education in Educational Administration and Educational Diagnostician Certification (in Katy ISD). While HBU serves many school districts and schools with its on-campus and online programs, the cohorts provide a unique opportunity for students to take classes near them, and for districts to grow their leaders from within. School districts benefit from preparing candidates for additional school-support roles such as assistant principals and principals. For example, in April, Spring ISD gave a Principal Preparation Grant to 10 staff members, awarding them $10,000 each to be part of the MEd cohort. This cohort has 36 students enrolled who are earning their MEd in Educational Administration and completing Texas requirements to qualify for Principal Certification.
Additionally, HBU offers a tuition discount for those enrolled in the cohorts. Dr. Julie Fernandez, interim dean of the HBU College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, said. “Every child deserves a great teacher and a great school. What we provide are teachers, counselors, principals, specialists and diagnosticians who are not only focused on children’s academic success, but their entire well-being.”