About COE

About Us

About the College of Education at UCCS

Academic Focus
Accreditation
Faculty & Research
Mission & Vision
Policies, Procedures, & Guidelines

A Message from the Dean

Dr. Joseph Wehrman
Interim Dean of the College of Education

Welcome to the College of Education on behalf of the faculty and staff here at UCCS! We offer several programs that prepare professionals among teachers, leaders, educational administrators, counselors, researchers, and policy influencers through high impact educational practices that center around equity, inquiry, and innovation. I encourage you to explore the different department websites and visit us as you contemplate your career, seek guidance and expertise, or want collaboration to assist with critical real-world questions.

Departments include Counseling and Human Services; Leadership, Research, and Foundations; and Teaching and Learning. We offer four bachelor’s degrees (BA Human Services, BA Inclusive Elementary Education, BA Inclusive Early Childhood Education, and BI Inclusive Early Childhood Leadership), seven master’s degrees (MA Counseling, MA Curriculum and Instruction, MA Leadership: Principal Licensure, MA Special Education, MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and MSc Science Teaching), a doctoral degree (PhD Educational Leadership, Research, and Policy), two undergraduate minors (Human Services and Student Affairs), and a number of undergraduate and graduate certificates and endorsements, including Secondary (7-12) licensure. In addition, the College of Education offers a number of support services to students through our Student Resource Office, Office of Inclusive Services (OIS), and Campus Connections. Through all of these program offerings, we seek to transform minds, destinies, and the world. 

This is an exciting time for all of us as we continue to learn, grow, and adjust as we seek to meet the changing needs of our communities. As we move forward with our plans this academic year, we want to connect with our varying constituencies, colleagues, collaborators, and/or partners to understand better:

  • Who we are?
  • Who we aspire to be?  
  • How do we leverage our strengths and opportunities to best address your needs?
  • And specifically, what steps/strategies we will take to achieve those goals?

In moving through these steps, we will be able to better meet your needs as you prepare for your next phase of leadership as teachers, administrators, counselors, researchers, and policy influencers and community stakeholders.

I am glad to be here with all of you as we transform minds, destinies, and the world.

Let’s go Mountain Lions!

Joseph Wehrman, Ph.D., Interim Dean and Professor

Academic Focus

The College of Education at UCCS offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, licensures, and more across three departments: 

  • Teaching and Learning
  • Counseling and Human Services
  • Leadership, Research, and Foundations

Accreditation

The UCCS College of Education is authorized by the state of Colorado to offer educator preparation and school counseling programs. The Counseling MA degree program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP), and our Human Services BA degree program is accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE).

College Faculty & Research

The UCCS College of Education faculty and staff have hands-on teaching and counseling experience, which ensures that our students receive the best education possible. We ready students for current and future challenges in the education field.

Mission Statement

The UCCS College of Education prepares teachers, leaders, and counselors who embrace equity, inquiry, and innovation.

Vision Statement

The College of Education is the preparation provider of choice for all educators, counselors, and leaders of school districts, higher education institutions, clinical mental health agencies, and other non-profit agencies in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, and southern Colorado. We are known for our knowledge and understanding of contextual differences in these settings in Colorado Springs and rural/southern Colorado.

We engage in research that addresses real problems faced by our region, and we proactively seek opportunities that will bring additional resources to areas of need to support transformational educational experiences and the well-being of all students.

Our Goals

  • Ensure high-quality preparation of education and counseling professionals
  • Engage in research-based inquiry and practice
  • Provide continual professional growth opportunities
  • Infuse and enhance the use of technology
  • Embrace equity, diversity, and social justice
  • Collaborate with campus and community partners to effect change
  • Work across the college and university to optimize efficiency and effectiveness

Policies, Procedures, & Guidelines

The College of Education (COE) maintains college-specific policies that govern the work of the college. These policies are subsidiary to campus-wide policies, system-wide policies, and Regent Law. COE policies are developed either because Regent Laws or campus policies mandate that they be created or because a higher-level policy does not discuss the topic of the COE policy. COE also maintains procedures and guidelines documents that ensure consistent processes and practices within the college.